The Coldfish Bowl

We started with a dozen feeder goldfish. Feeders are the 29-cent fish that are sold as live food for other pets. I bought them to stock my pond. I'm giving small fish a better future, don't you think?

We lost a few the first month. Eaten by predators? Unhealthy? Who knows. We've had nine goldfish since early spring, and no further attrition. They seem happy. Fat and happy. They're all about two or three times as large as when I bought them. But will they survive the winter?

I've been worrying about that. I mean, if they don't make it, they're only 29-cent fish with better lives than they were destined for, but still. I'm responsible for these little guys. What I've been told is that as long as there's some exposed water to let air in, and I stop feeding them, they should make it through winter.

For a week or so the pond has been covered with an inch or two of ice. It's been cold here! But the pump is still going, and there's no ice where the waterfall pours into the pond. They should have plenty of air.

It's been a bit warmer the past few days, and today only about a third of the pond is covered in ice. Peering into the open water, I counted at least seven fish swimming around. The other two were probably hiding out under the ice. By George, I think they'll make it!

As long as we're on the subject of goldfish bowls, check out this funny video of the cat and the goldfish bowl.


Blog Tag: Chatter