Ooooh, my heart goes out to that poor fish. Call me sensitive... That is very sad. I'm glad you were able to find him and give him a chance, at least. Good luck to the poor little guy... Keep me posted!
Loretta

I had a few fish stuck on their sides in a filter and they turned out OK. They were a bit on the flat side but now I cannot tell them from any others. I think your fish will be OK if he figures out how to swim. Accidents happen like that sometimes - sorry for you and your fish. It just goes to show how tough they are. His new found freedom must feel wonderful.

I had a small homemade filter working when I was trying to show how inexpensive a pond could be. I had to clean it once a week not because it got too dirty but because the fish somehow would get inside. Very strange. I never did find out how they did it. Sandy

2 days later and no sign of my rescued goldfish. I'm hoping he is hiding behind a rock or buried in the forest of anacris.

Now I have a question. This is my first time wintering fish in the pond. The water temp is now 52 degrees(I stopped feeding them at 60). I now have another missing goldfish. Not sure if it was a comet or fantail but it was a beautiful blue and about 10 inches.

Theres lots of places for fish to hide in my pond but my fish have never hidden when I was out there. They know a treat is usually coming. Call me silly but I take roll call (count them) every day.

I have never lost a fish to a predator such as a heron or raccoon. I know that doesnt mean thats not what happened but no sign of anything like that around the pond.

When the fish start to hibernate do they hide?

my fish have become far less active in my pond. water temp is around 55F. They will begin to hide and sink to the bottom, etc. A couple of my larger goldfish are still on top , but most of my smaller fish have disappeared to the depths and other hiding places.

I'm in zone 7, and the weather here the past week or two has been in the 70s during the day and 50s at night. My fish used to be active, swimming to the surface for food, etc. In the past week or two, they have been hiding and I hardly ever see them anymore unless they get really hungry and come out to graze on algae. Our weather is usually in the 90s and 100s, so this weather is a bit chilly for them (and us). :) Brrrr....

Thanks :) I feel a little better now.

Well I guess it will be a looooooooong wait for spring to get here to take roll call again.

2 years ago I would have thought it rediculious to get so attached to fish.

Hahaha...I take roll, too. I love my babies. :)

Rescued fish is alive and well :) ALL fish account for.

I was scooping out some fall leaves when he popped out of the anacris.
He seems to be swimming just fine. His color is not near the deep orange of the other fish but he never got any of the tossed in food. Less than half the size of the other fish but he seems healthy :)

Yay! This is the best news I've heard all day. I'm so happy that he seems to be doing good.

I bet he is one happy fish!

Yea!!! Great news! Thanks for keeping us posted on the little guy.

Good news!

Regarding missing fish - it could be a heron. Fish hide after they atttack and they often take a fish or two each time they visit without leaving any visible sign of their visit. I happend to see a large, white splat left on the side of the pond and my fish and frogs were all hiding for several days. Just letting you know, don't discount missing fish not to be a heron just because you don't see any evidence.

My fish are still active here my Zone 7 Southern Maryland so I'm still feeding. I don't have a thermometer in my pond at the moment - guess I should drag it out and put it in just to check. We have had a few days of mid 40's at night and one very light frost two nights ago, but the daytime temps are in the 60's. It takes longer for water to cool down than air.

We have a lot of herons in my area. I live less than 2 miles from the Mississippi river and I have a creek about 100 yards from my pond. I had a 5' chain link fence installed around the pond for the saftey of the grandkids.

I'm thinking maybe the fence deters the herons from trying to land by the pond. I really dont know much about herons. I thankfully have yet to see a heron at my pond.

We have herons around my area, too, but local ponders say the birds need a lot of landing area and that they'll avoid small, confined areas. My yard is tiny, so I don't think they'll land anywhere near my pond. Fingers crossed.

I was sitting at the computer (window faces back gardens and pond) and watched a very large heron land in front of my flower bed and then stroll toward the pond. I quickly went outside and he flew off only to return several weeks later when no one was looking and several fish disapeared and the rest were too afraid to come out for several days. Those birds don't need alot of room if they find something they want to eat. We live on the lake and I watch this heron almost on a daily basis. They don't like other birds in their feeding area.

For ongoing help with goldfish, Koi, aquariums and ponds, visit our informative website for goldfish owners.

Here is a link that might be useful: AquaPuppies - A goldfish Community