Dear All, I know this may seem niaive but is it possible that one of my larger Koi has eaten a newcomer I put in the pond last week? The 3 Large fish are around 10'' to a foot in length. and this little baby was about 2- 2.5'' in length. He was there 3 days ago hiding under a floating plant but this morning when I went to clean out the filter he was no where to be seen. I know Koi and goldfish will eat fry but this little one was surely a bit too big? There's always the hopw he's still hiding in the deep somewhere. Abit like a parent, I am responsible for his well being.

Hi Gladys,
Idont know much about fish although I have some in my pond .They dont breed well here as Ihave some shubunkins-think that's how you spell it, and I am told they eat the eggs . Ihave 2 koi carp and judging by the size of their mouths I think they'd eat anything. My granddaughter calls one of them Hoover.
Last year I lost one- it flipped out onto the lawn and I was so upset.
How Igot mine is a tale in itself.
Iwanted a pond so my son said he'd dig one. I put the hosepipe on the grass in a sort of roundy -ovally shape and said thats it. 1 metre from my window. Thinks---if I'm having a pond- I'd like to see the fish.. When it was lined and everything in place we were filling it up from the tap when my grandchidren came---and then my sister's foster children . I did explain that it had to be a fortnight standing before we put fish in it, or they would die -but my arm didn't need much twisting to say ok . I only had £12.00 in cash so off we went to the fish centre.
6 kids meant 3 fish each as we could only have tiddlers for that price.
It took us 2 hours for them to choose . The lady was patient and kind trying to catch ''that one there" out of hundreds and we came home with 20 fish-she gave me 2 extra.I didn't know what sort they were. They children gave them all names.
That was nearly 7 years ago and I still have 17 of them
2 are koi carp 12"long and the others are mixed bunch and very pretty.
When I open my curtains in the morning they line up at the edge
nearest the window. When I call the cat they come to the edge too..
So you see why I got upset when one died.
Ihad thought of getting some more but after what Gladys said Idon't think I' will.
Perhaps your little one jumped out, Gladys.

Oh Cathidaw, what fun for your G'children to learn about these strange but fascinating creatures. No I don't think the baby jumped out at all- we have a net over the top because the 'Big Boys' jump and they'd be cat food or other. We also live by a historic farm / woodland where herons breed with a Heron reserve 5 miles away. I used to see a heron on the roof of a house nearby but he/she hasn't been there (thankfully) in the last 2 years. I think we have a canibal in the pond. We too have a fish callled Hoover- he's huge. He may be responsible but I feel responsible because its a young pond and the water is not mature- bacteria levels etc. I took a sample to my local fish expert and he said to reduce thier feeds to allow the good bacteria to build up. I did that and am doing that but the 'Big Boys' are so hungry- I really think they ate the baby or one of them did.

My brother keeps koi. He introduced shrimps to the pond but they didn't last long. I know that fish will eat the babies so I wouldn't be suprised if your newcomer was eaten. However I am no expert!

Yes, it does seem that one of them did. I just wouldn't have thought they'd eat this baby. Fry yes but not once they reach 2- 2.5 inches. I've learnt sadly at the expence of this little one. I feel awful about it.

All is forgiven- the baby fish is there. They haven't eaten him. Phew. Thought I was going to need counselling