Hi I have used your site for much research for my two pot ponds, the first one I have has been established for over one year with an under water filter, fountain plants and two sweet shabunkins. They survived the winter with a water heater and did well this spring, but the one died for no reasons and the other died today, I noticed he was not eating as well and hiding on the bottom of the pot. Yes I had all the water tested and it was found that i had high acidity ph, i started adjusting the water with a ph up for ponds and that worked and the fish started acting more normal, but today i found him upside down with half of his body eaten away, awful....

The other pond is larger probably 50 gallons, the first was more like 40 gallons, set up similarlly and it has 5 small feeder gold fish in it that are doing well, i also had the water tested and it is fine, the only thing i worry about is they are acting a bit sluggish and one, female i believe, looks a bit bloated? any suggestions would be great or thoughts of why the shabunkins died. Suz

If his body was partially eaten, that sounds like a predator like a raccoon or other medium-sized mammal. Birds tend to swallow whole. Or, did you mean the body had rotted away? That could happen if something is toxic in the water but it would have to be severe.

How low was your pH? If it was above 6.5, it was probably okay.

What is the temperature in that pond right now? My pond water is going over 80 degrees F now since it's been in the 90's. I've lost half a dozen fish in the last few weeks. I'm guessing it's the heat and lower oxygen levels. I put in an extra air stone but still found another dead today. If your tub ponds are warm, I suggest an extra air stone and water changes with cooler water (add dechlorinator if you have city water).

Acting sluggish unfortunately could mean any problem - water quality, water chemistry, temperature, bacterial infections, fungal infections, injuries, parasites, and so on. Do they have any other symptoms?

What was your water tested for? Do you have the results for pH, hardness, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

I wish I had a definitive diagnosis but, as I mentioned, right now, I'm having a fish die off with NO symptoms and no reason that I can think of. The oxygen levels in my main pond with three falls and an aerator should be adequate. My water also tests perfect and everything looks fine. So, I'm stumped. If I can't figure out how to save my own fish, I shouldn't be advising others!

Thanks for writing back, the last shabunkin was alive one night and then as i described the next morning, probably not more than 12 hours apart, the ponds are close to the house and we live in an area that really doesn't have raccoons, maybe a cat or two. I do have two apple snails, could they have done this? I will try adding a new air flow.

The other guys are doing well in the larger newer pond, except for the one that has a bit of a bigger belly, not like any of the pictures you have on your site tho, could she be ready to spawn, i could send you a pic if you like....

Last thought here, i have an incredible amount of water hyacinth if you know of any sources in the virginia beach area who would want it i would love to knw, i hate to throw them away....

Thanks so much for your advise, Suz

Apple snails may eat fish after they're dead but would not have killed your shubunkins. A small percentage of cats (who probably took raccoon lessons) could go after, kill, and mutilate goldfish.

A picture of your chubby goldfish will be helpful for me to say more. When egg-laden, female goldfish are just slightly fatter than normal, not hugely so.

In the fall, I throw out tons of water hyacinth and/or water lettuce myself. I wish I too could sell it! That time of year, nobody wants it. Plus, a permit is required to sell live plants, and there are too may fees and restrictions for an individual to bother.