Bringing in the goldfish

Yes, Yam, it is that time of year! It is officially Autumn.

We've 16 frogs in the goldfish pond. It freezes and thaws over winter, what with climate change, which is bad for the froggies as well as the tropical goldfish. This is why I take the frogs down to the wetland. It's horrid taking the little bodies out in the spring, smelly and rotting.

The goldfish population has changed over the years! Shirley was a favourite. I think I made it up to Shirley 5.  There are so many varieties of goldfish.

 

I'm down to 5 goldfish. Oops, I was preparing this post in early October, and October 6th another one died. We are at 4 goldfish.  With the pandemic, I cannot replace any I've lost. The supply chain just isn't working for them. There are three orange ones, as well as one white, having lost its colour.

The big one is like a piranha! I call him Percy, after my ex-late FIL's Percy Piranha.

One year the fishies had dozens of babies. The kids took some home, we brought ours in with the adults, but they all died. I was surprised last week. I was watching the goldfish, prior to their traumatic pond removal. There were two 8 cm babies! I was so excited. Can you see one in the middle?

I began watching them, feeding them fish pellets to get them a little friendlier. Babies! We have babies! goldfish  

 

It's a big decision when to bring them in. I usually have to drain the goldfish pond, that means risking the water lilies if it gets cold.  I want the goldfish pond to be able to fill back up, for the water lilies.  This looks good for a weekend fill up. It can be cold working on the pond, 

I'd best do it this week! It's no fun playing around in the water when it is cold.

I filled the 60 gallon tank with the garden hose on Monday, Oct. 11th. The well water is so cold. It takes a couple of days for the water to warm, as well as for the water to clear up. It needs to get that balance of pH and all that. 

Oct. 12 it was still cold, and there was lots of condensation. By Wednesday things looked good.

I woke bright and early on Thursday. This was the day! I skipped my workout, I knew it'd be a long day. First step was to drain the pond. I've learned my lesson. It's just easier to find them when the pond is drained.

I got bored waiting for fishies, so I fished out some frogs. The first lot I had 7 of them. I tootled them on down to the wetland. I had a lid for this, as the larger ones jump out. They sat together and thought about it before they moved off! They need the wetland in which to hibernate, under the water and mud.

They landed together and sat looking at me.

I kept draining the goldfish pond. The fishies kept looking at me, teasing me.

The blue bucket held the frogs, the metal bucket was for the fishies. Two frogs jumped into the fish bucket instead of the blue one. Sigh!

The water kept draining. I made four trips down to the wetland to deliver a total of 18 frogs. The sun came out. It was a good day to do this. It was easy to spot the fish. 

Fishies in, I began to fill the pond up from the water barrel. I couldn't figure out why it was filling so slowly. Turns out a dead chipmunk was plugging the drainage hole into the pond. I'd pulled it out with my hand, thinking it was just debris. Gross.

They are all tucked in, and rain is on the way to fill the pond back up and I'll be playing with frogs for while. FIVE BABIES!!! Percy is huge. I shall have to work on proper photos, but I am weary.

I started at 9 a.m., after a failed attempt to get a flu shot (long story), and finished up at 2:45.  I found a part from my pond pump that had fallen in. I nearly fell in getting it out. It's very slippery. I had to stand on the cement blocks in the bottom. 

After this, we went out for a last meal on a patio. Things are closing up, and it's getting cold. It clouded over, but no matter. A good day had by all. We came home and I put Dr. Ho's thingies on my thighs. I was sore!

2021 – 9 goldfish in for the winter

• Percy
• sickly white one
• 2 older orange ones
• 5 new babies

Over the years: 

October can be too cold to be playing in water.

Oct. 7, 2020: Cinnamon was harassing them! 

Oct. 1, 2019: Fall chores; Twas a frosty morn! (Indoor pump broke that year, 11 fish)

Oct. 4th, 2018: Bringing in the goldfish!

Oct. 12, 2017: Autumn chores: goldfish are in!
Sept. 18, 2016:  The goldfish are in!

Oct. 7th, 2015: The goldfishies are in!
Oct. 4th, 2014: Fall chores: bringing in goldfish
Sept. 28, 2013: It's that time of year: come on in, goldfish!