Pond goldfish advice

[gnasher16 29,941]

Thats ulcers that is mate....there is an antibiotic flake or pellet whichever you use for any others you find but Potassium Permangate ( spelling ? ) is an old bacterial treatment id be using regardless if i was you.

[Blackmag 6,019]

I did read don't know if it's right herons like to land away from a pond then walk on to it by putting a wire all  round about a foot high they don't like it 

[tomburras 2,729]

Thanks for all the advice, heron decoy ordered and I'll get some water treatment so both bases are covered

[comanche 2,820]

On 10/11/2022 at 17:26, tomburras said:

 iv lost 2 goldfish today in my little pond. The others are perfect and filters clean, uv working etc. Crystal clear water but these 2 have something odd happen to them. Is there anyone on here that could anyone tell me what this is? Cheers!....

Looks like  bacterial  ulcers .   They may indicate a water quality problem .  They   can also be triggered by   injury so an attack can't be ruled out but any illness or abrasion , perhaps from spawning activity,  that damages  the fish's slime layer can let bacteria in.

Donning my Columbo/ Hercule Poirot  hat : You say that the other fish are  ALL fine .

So none missing?     That doesn't  indicate a regular visit from a heron. 

Though one looking for passing trade can't be ruled out .As people are saying ; for a bird that happily hunts worms and voles in ploughed  fields and frogs in puddles  ; small ponds are heron magnets.  Not just for birds ; grass snakes , lots of things  will  have a crack at a fish in a barrel!

If you do fear herons though , cover the pond . It can be done cheaply and with a bit of thought can be done tastefully .

Variations on Methylene Blue or , as said , ,permanganate potash are standbys for fish injuries but a   change of  water might help.

Those filter systems destroy good bacteria along with the bad . They basically let you overstock past a tank or pond's natural holding capacity - fine until  something gets out of kilter ......

Edited November 11, 2022 by comanche

[BEARINATOR 2,864]

Pp or meth blue to treat the fish in a holding tank/bowl with plenty of oxygen, if you do scrapes you might notice unseen parasites that might be the cause. Don’t rule out a rat though as they will take fish out the sides 

[Greyman 27,398]

Nailed