Predators, pests and Diseases
Predators
Herons are probably responsible for a large proportion pf fish taken from garden pools. They stand up to 3ft (0.9m) high .They usually nests at the top of tall trees. Particularly oaks and elms. If there are any of these, trees in the vicinity and herons have attacked fish in a pool at any time before, they are likely to do so for sometime, because they return to the same heroine each year. Another particularly vulnerable area is one in which there are sea cliffs or reed beds, which are alternative nesting places for them. Their method of taking fish is to stand on one leg on the edge of a pool, with eyes half closed and head hunched between the shoulders. As soon as a fish comes within reach they will pounce on the victim, hitting it on the head with their long bill and stunning it so that they can carry unconscious fish away.
The best protection to fish against herons is to keep the pool coveted with a net in the same way as is done for keeping out falling leaves. The net should be tightly spread out at a height of about 6 INS (15cm) above the maximum level of the water, so that the bill of a heron, which is several inches long, cannot reach the fish. Since herons are about all the year round, the pool must be covered permanently to secure full protection. A net so positioned will not seriously interfere with marginal plants, because after a short time they will grow through it. Alternatively, it is possible to purchase specially designed nets which cover the surface of the water for about 2 ft (60cm) around the pool. These are effective because a heron usually stands on the edge of the pool. They are also rather less unsightly.
Kingfisher :
The beautiful kingfisher, which nests along rivers and streams, has a large dagger-shaped bill, which it uses to grab fish as it dives under the water in search of food. It usually conducts its onslaught from a nearby perch or by hovering over the water. Once a fish has been caught it returns to its perch, where it manipulates the body of its victim so that head faces outwards. It kills or stuns the fish by banging its head against the perch or other hard surface, and then reverses it and swallows it head first .once again a secure net affords good protection , but the surface must be fully covered.
Cats
Domestic cats are sometimes attracted towards live fish in a garden fish pool. Here again a net is a good protection, particularly because it is very unstable for the cat to walk on. There are a number of proprietary cat repellents and specially prepared pepper dusts available nowadays that are quite effective in keeping cats away.
Mink
Another possible danger to fish is the mink, which is mainly an aquatic animal and, in the wild, catches most of its food in the water. Any that are free have escaped from mink farms. They can be prevented from entering a garden pool by a securely fitted net. their risk to domestic livestock is recognize by the fact that there are stringent laws concerning the keeping pf mink in captivity, and any occupier of land .who know that mink are at larger on his property must notify the ministry of agriculture, fisheries and food , who will arrange for the animals destruction.
Other menaces to pond life:
Frogs
Frogs are more a nuisance than a danger to fish, except that on rare occasions fish are injured
By colliding with them. If, however , they are allowed to breed they can create a disturbance with their croaking. They are prolific breed and a pool can soon become crowded with tadpoles. These should be removed with a net. Frogs live most of the year near water, but in February congregate in ponds to breed.
The best way of dealing with frogs is to cover the pool with a net, particularly during late winter and
Herons are probably responsible for a large proportion pf fish taken from garden pools. They stand up to 3ft (0.9m) high .They usually nests at the top of tall trees. Particularly oaks and elms. If there are any of these, trees in the vicinity and herons have attacked fish in a pool at any time before, they are likely to do so for sometime, because they return to the same heroine each year. Another particularly vulnerable area is one in which there are sea cliffs or reed beds, which are alternative nesting places for them. Their method of taking fish is to stand on one leg on the edge of a pool, with eyes half closed and head hunched between the shoulders. As soon as a fish comes within reach they will pounce on the victim, hitting it on the head with their long bill and stunning it so that they can carry unconscious fish away.
The best protection to fish against herons is to keep the pool coveted with a net in the same way as is done for keeping out falling leaves. The net should be tightly spread out at a height of about 6 INS (15cm) above the maximum level of the water, so that the bill of a heron, which is several inches long, cannot reach the fish. Since herons are about all the year round, the pool must be covered permanently to secure full protection. A net so positioned will not seriously interfere with marginal plants, because after a short time they will grow through it. Alternatively, it is possible to purchase specially designed nets which cover the surface of the water for about 2 ft (60cm) around the pool. These are effective because a heron usually stands on the edge of the pool. They are also rather less unsightly.
Kingfisher :
The beautiful kingfisher, which nests along rivers and streams, has a large dagger-shaped bill, which it uses to grab fish as it dives under the water in search of food. It usually conducts its onslaught from a nearby perch or by hovering over the water. Once a fish has been caught it returns to its perch, where it manipulates the body of its victim so that head faces outwards. It kills or stuns the fish by banging its head against the perch or other hard surface, and then reverses it and swallows it head first .once again a secure net affords good protection , but the surface must be fully covered.
Cats
Domestic cats are sometimes attracted towards live fish in a garden fish pool. Here again a net is a good protection, particularly because it is very unstable for the cat to walk on. There are a number of proprietary cat repellents and specially prepared pepper dusts available nowadays that are quite effective in keeping cats away.
Mink
Another possible danger to fish is the mink, which is mainly an aquatic animal and, in the wild, catches most of its food in the water. Any that are free have escaped from mink farms. They can be prevented from entering a garden pool by a securely fitted net. their risk to domestic livestock is recognize by the fact that there are stringent laws concerning the keeping pf mink in captivity, and any occupier of land .who know that mink are at larger on his property must notify the ministry of agriculture, fisheries and food , who will arrange for the animals destruction.
Other menaces to pond life:
Frogs
Frogs are more a nuisance than a danger to fish, except that on rare occasions fish are injured
By colliding with them. If, however , they are allowed to breed they can create a disturbance with their croaking. They are prolific breed and a pool can soon become crowded with tadpoles. These should be removed with a net. Frogs live most of the year near water, but in February congregate in ponds to breed.
The best way of dealing with frogs is to cover the pool with a net, particularly during late winter and
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