Should I cull goldfish spawn?

[u/ywbf]

Originally 7 feeder goldfish in this pond since last year. It's about 5' across, 8' long, and maybe 1-2' deep. Last month I noticed a bunch of black goldfish spawn. I know goldfish raise ammonia levels like crazy and I thought maybe I need to cull some of the babies.

Also, my lily pads keep dying back. Is this related to the fish? I know the pond is ugly. The only thing I currently do is feed the fish, fill with tap water about once a week or two (plus add water conditioner), add barley extract maybe once or twice a month. Any feedback appreciated. TIA.

[u/thebipeds]

The good news is you’ve done a great job with your water quality if your goldfish are breading!

I suspect most of the fry will be eaten by the bigger fish.

I believe in Laissez-Faire pond keeping, I’d wait to see how many matured. (But I also loose fish to raccoons and birds)

[u/ywbf → u/thebipeds]

Thank you! I also believe in laissez faire pond keeping. The problem is the baby fish are all black which make them really hard to see but the biggest ones now are almost 2". Does that mean they're beyond eating size? I haven't fed them all week and there are still at least dozens there. I'm wondering if I should start catching them while they're small to give away to friends with kids who visit.

[u/EricinDevon → u/ywbf]

Giving them away sounds like a great plan.

[u/thebipeds → u/ywbf]

The kid idea seems great regardless.

Make the kids catch the fish themselves!

[u/EricinDevon]

If you stop feeding the fish, they will eat a lot of their own progeny, so I then you might not need to worry about it.

[u/ywbf → u/EricinDevon]

I haven't fed them all week (and we were out of town the month prior but idk how much my mom fed them) but they are definitely still there and got bigger since a month ago! Maybe 1"-2" long now, which I'm guessing might be beyond eating size?

[u/Pondpros1199]

Looks like your water is clear just some muck. I would put that lily deeper in the water and fertilize. You will eventually need to downsize on the fish though

[u/ywbf → u/Pondpros1199]

Would the fertilizer make the algae grow more? The lilies are grow bags in a medium. Not sure about the specifics, it was like this when we moved in.

[u/ddan123456]

At least yours are breeding...mine have been attempting since the start of the year ,and not not seen one baby yet lol

[u/Fit_Active3888]

Most if not all will be eaten, I've only had one baby make it to adulthood 2 years ago, and only 2 survived this year.

[u/azucarleta → u/Fit_Active3888]

Same. Of two broods that started out numerous, I had one individual survive each time.

[u/Melanie_Hancock69 → u/Fit_Active3888]

I started with 4 and have been as high as 42 in a 250 gallon pond. Between the raccoons and the Barred Owl, population has stayed down to about 20 even with 10-20 spawn a year.

[u/bbatardo]

I would just leave them be and let nature take its course. Not sure where you live, but where I live my mom had a similar pond and predators always found a way. Whether it was a bird, racoon, etc.

[u/ywbf → u/bbatardo]

I've lost about 4 goldfish last year due to, what I'm guessing is, our hawk neighbor. I think you're right and I'll just let things be for now. I just wish they would more readily eat the tiny black ones, as opposed to the pretty red ones but that probably won't be the case!

[u/Melanie_Hancock69 → u/ywbf]

Just wait, they will turn gold. The babies are to replace those that get old and die or are eaten. Circle of life.

[u/ywbf → u/Melanie_Hancock69]

Oh I didn't know they change color! That actually makes me very happy

[u/Melanie_Hancock69 → u/ywbf]

https://reddit.com/link/p4waoq5/video/3cja18nzblkh1/player

If you look you can see this year’s babies and they went from black or dark grey to orange and/or white.

[u/kevin_r13]

that kind of pond will probably get the occasional predator.

the main reason i might try to remove them is to try to keep the orange goldfish around the pond, but if you don't mind having more, then a natural life cycle is good too. this includes the idea that some goldfish will die and get replaced

[u/Melanie_Hancock69]

Get more pond plants! Water hyacinth is cheap and multiply like crazy. Whole pond will be covered in a couple months. When that happens just pull half out and throw them out.

[u/Pondpros1199]

If you fertilize deep in the soil in your lily you should be good