AboutBrigitte Expertise Pond and Water Gardening (aquatic plant selection and care, Koi and pond fish selection and care, pond and water garden building and maintenance, etc.) of all sorts.
Experience
Experience in the area: Own a Water Garden Supply Retail Store and Pond Supply Mail Order Company www.pondmarket.com
Organizations I belong to: St. Louis Water Gardening Society
Publications:
Editor of Splash! The Garden Pond & Water Garden Newsletter!
St. Louis Gardener Magazine, various internet gardening newsletters, and others
Question While "muck-vacing" our smaller pond just below a waterfall, that empties into a 10' stream, in turn empties into our 3,500 gallon 9-year old pond (whew!) we discovered what my husband thought to be a "gold tadpole". I assured him that although "Miracle" was indeed gold, and 1" long, including tail, that he/she was a fish as evidenced by said tail and two side fins. I now have Miracle in a fush bowl with some algae covered rocks, a scoop of "muck" and pond water and a baby water hyacinth. What do I do now. Do I keep Miracle in said bowl and wait til larger (we do have many dragonflies around the pond) and then put her in the big pond... and in the meantime... what do I feed her and do I do water changes like I do with her nine, 9-year old brothers and sisters... and perhaps mom and pop? I would hate to lose this lone little creature to my own stupidity. Thank you.
Answer Hello Barbi!
How very cool! I wish you could send a picture of the little guy!
You best bet is probably to get a small complete aquarium kit to keep him in for now to prevent him from being an appetizer for larger creatures.
These aquariums are available in some department stores as well as pet stores. They are not much bigger than a fish bowl but come complete with a filter and that would go a long way to ensure his survival.
They are pretty inexpensive.
Flake fish food (1/4 a flake per day if it is just him eating)is easy for them to deal with. An occasional brine shrimp (they are TINY)is very nutrional. Be careful not to overfeed - test the water for ammonia and nitrite regularly.
Brigitte
www.pondmarket.com
