About William Lambert Expertise I can answer any questions relating to outdoor ponds, water gardens, pond plants, pond supply, Koi Fish, pond fish, pond installation, Koi fish health, and pond health issues.
Experience I have designed, built, and serviced, outdoor koi ponds for over 20 years. I own a retail and online pond store. I have sold pond supplies for over 10 years. I have studied Koi fish and pond life for over 20 years. I have taken countless classes and read numerous educational books on pond life, koi fish, and ponds.
Publications I co-wrote a small guide to Koi in 1993, titled "The Art of Koi". The guide is no longer in distribution and was for the most part a mail-order item.
Education/Credentials I am mostly self trained in the area of outdoor ponds and have used my 20 years in the field as a enormous learning curve. I am very savvy when it comes to anything that has to do with ponds and koi fish.
Expert: William Lambert Date: 7/10/2008 Subject: Need help id a pond critter
Question I have noticed an unusual looking critter in our larger freshwater pond. NW Washington state. It appears to come up for air rarely. It doesn't stay at the top but a few seconds. It appears to have a hammer-head with a type of fish tail. Possibly 3-inches in length. I have noticed smaller. So far it has been too quick to photograph. Any ideas?
Answer It sounds like it is simply a Tadpole - which is a "baby frog" once they get larger the heads look very large which is really the body bulking up to grow legs. It will soon grow larger and have no tail, and grow legs and then hop out of the pond. It should pose no harm to your pond and could help control pest insects that could harm your fish.
