Missing Orangespotteds
#1 Guest_PhilipKukulski_*
Posted 02 January 2009 - 08:52 PM
October came to Detroit and I left the Orangespots outside. Figured that the fish could get some wintering before I brought the fish inside. Besides, I didn't have a large empty indoor tank. I could have used a garbage can, but with so little bottom space, the Orangespot males would have beat each other up.
Then came November's cold spell. I really was expecting a thaw so I could get the fish out. It occured to me yesterday that these above the ground tubs might freeze solid. I drilled test holes and still found water under 8 inches of ice. More drilling to add airstones for the night.
Next day:
Well,
My fish are missing. I cut the ice, worked a net, and even drained the water. No Orangespots found, dead or alive. Maybe the bodies are hidden in the blocks of ice?
#2 Guest_ashtonmj_*
Posted 02 January 2009 - 09:48 PM
I had a large circular cattle trough that was sunk into the ground years ago and had a similar vanishing fish experience. It had about 6-8" of leaf litter in various stages so I threw in a dozen central mudminnows that were collected about this time of year. It had not frozen over yet or thawed out so in they went. I occassionally chopped ice when it got thick but eventually I had to break out the chain saw. I found none in the ice and come the thaw I scopped out all the leaf litter with a dipnet. Still a good 12" of water in the trough during the dead of winter and with all that material I figured plenty of food. Not like mudminnows are stingy so I wondered where they went. If they died, you would think the cold water would slow down the decomposition and leave something behind. Hope you find something (alive).
#3 Guest_PhilipKukulski_*
Posted 03 January 2009 - 02:43 PM
Edited by PhilipKukulski, 03 January 2009 - 02:44 PM.
#4 Guest_kevinb_*
Posted 03 January 2009 - 03:31 PM
Are their any local cats or raccoons visiting? Hope they turn up ok
#5
Posted 04 January 2009 - 12:51 PM
#6 Guest_PhilipKukulski_*
Posted 04 January 2009 - 08:57 PM
I know sunfish aren't known for their jumping like some other fish, but I would bet that you lost them a long time ago when one jumped out while being chased by another. I have personally experienced this with fish jumping and ending up on the floor (or in one very lucky case, landing in the sump) with everything from topminnow to bullheads, so getting three out alive is a great result.
The second pond had a cover made of 1/2 inch square wire mesh.
#7 Guest_sunnyman97_*
Posted 05 January 2009 - 06:59 PM
#8 Guest_PhilipKukulski_*
Posted 08 January 2009 - 08:33 AM
First,
Matt brought up chainsaws, which was my fish access tool. This was the first time I used a chainsaw with a dip net.
Second,
I thought I would get comments on the first picture.
#9 Guest_centrarchid_*
Posted 08 January 2009 - 11:01 AM
I was expecting comments on two points.
First,
Matt brought up chainsaws, which was my fish access tool. This was the first time I used a chainsaw with a dip net.
Second,
I thought I would get comments on the first picture.
View of brown ice volcanoes look like parts of the moon Europa?
#10 Guest_BenjaminS_*
Posted 10 January 2009 - 09:14 AM
#11 Guest_PhilipKukulski_*
Posted 11 February 2009 - 05:47 PM
The ice blocks cut from my ponds have melted, and no dead (and previously frozen in the blocks of ice) Orangespotted Sunfish were found.
#12 Guest_Doug_Dame_*
Posted 12 February 2009 - 01:27 AM
Alright, I'll bite.I thought I would get comments on the first picture.
In that first picture.....
what are those pink and green things on the ice that may or may not have little "belts" on them .... failed experiments at tofu xmas tree ornaments that you just tossed out the window in dismay ?
Inquiring Minds Want To Know.
d.d.
#13 Guest_PhilipKukulski_*
Posted 12 February 2009 - 05:57 AM
Alright, I'll bite.
In that first picture.....
what are those pink and green things on the ice that may or may not have little "belts" on them .... failed experiments at tofu xmas tree ornaments that you just tossed out the window in dismay ?
Inquiring Minds Want To Know.
d.d.
Those are blocks made of building construction foam insulation, used as floats for yarn mops.
#14 Guest_az9_*
Posted 14 February 2009 - 11:52 PM
Those are blocks made of building construction foam insulation, used as floats for yarn mops.
Phil,
Did you possibly have any herons or Kingfishers visiting the pond before ice up?
#15 Guest_PhilipKukulski_*
Posted 15 February 2009 - 11:57 AM
Phil,
Did you possibly have any herons or Kingfishers visiting the pond before ice up?
Possible,
but I have never, in 4 years, seen any ducks or fishing birds at my pond.
#16 Guest_PhilipKukulski_*
Posted 19 March 2009 - 03:30 PM
and I found 3 of the missing Orangespotted, dead.
The fish must have been in the 280 pound block of ice that I did not remove from the pond or check.
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