walshie Posted August 24, 2019 Report Share Posted August 24, 2019 I've got a decent size pond that contained stunted rudd, a few small tench and some fair-size koi carp. I stocked it with rainbow trout to thin out the rudd (and eat). This seems to have worked as the rudd are now much less plentiful and the average size has increased from an inch long, to 4" or more. I was sitting watching them earlier and there was a group of 5 or 6 sunning themselves. I could see a black shape in the water near them and moved closer for a better look. It was a fish, about the same length as the rudd, but it definitely wasn't a rudd. It was slowly swimming away from me and I got a good view of it for a few seconds. It was much wider at the head end, tapering off to its tail, like a giant tadpole. The only fish I can think off that fits the description would be a small Wels catfish. It can't have been in there that long to only be that size. Is it possible a bird could have picked one up and dropped it into the pond? Any other ideas what it could be? I hope it isn't a catfish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted August 24, 2019 Report Share Posted August 24, 2019 Eggs can be transferred by birds particularly wading birds so if you have an invader that may be the cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted August 24, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2019 Uh-oh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scouser Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 If it is, time to get the net out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 On 24/08/2019 at 19:20, walshie said: I've got a decent size pond that contained stunted rudd, a few small tench and some fair-size koi carp. I stocked it with rainbow trout to thin out the rudd (and eat). This seems to have worked as the rudd are now much less plentiful and the average size has increased from an inch long, to 4" or more. I was sitting watching them earlier and there was a group of 5 or 6 sunning themselves. I could see a black shape in the water near them and moved closer for a better look. It was a fish, about the same length as the rudd, but it definitely wasn't a rudd. It was slowly swimming away from me and I got a good view of it for a few seconds. It was much wider at the head end, tapering off to its tail, like a giant tadpole. The only fish I can think off that fits the description would be a small Wels catfish. It can't have been in there that long to only be that size. Is it possible a bird could have picked one up and dropped it into the pond? Any other ideas what it could be? I hope it isn't a catfish. A jack pike viewed from above could fit your description Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 how about a bullhead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted August 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 1 hour ago, islandgun said: A jack pike viewed from above could fit your description Don't think it was a pike. I've seen plenty of them and this was different. 42 minutes ago, chrisjpainter said: how about a bullhead? Yes, that's the right shape, but it was black. I just read they go black during spawning, but this was too big to be one. Unless I have the British record in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 How long was it? You've really run out of options once you've discounted the bullhead and Wels - unless it's a burbot and you're about to make national news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 unless its one of these Lamprey are making a come back to a above a chipshop near you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBD_enGB757GB757&q=baby+wels+catfish+photo&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiT-_nwgqjkAhVZh1wKHQR0DfcQsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1920&bih=969 Poisson Chat, possibly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted August 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 (edited) 7 hours ago, chrisjpainter said: How long was it? You've really run out of options once you've discounted the bullhead and Wels - unless it's a burbot and you're about to make national news! Somewhere between 4 and 6 inches i'd guess. I'm still not discounting Wels. There's a fishery within 20 miles of me that has large stocks of them 7 hours ago, islandgun said: unless its one of these Lamprey are making a come back to a above a chipshop near you Not a lamprey. 5 hours ago, Penelope said: https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBD_enGB757GB757&q=baby+wels+catfish+photo&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiT-_nwgqjkAhVZh1wKHQR0DfcQsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1920&bih=969 Poisson Chat, possibly? That;s the nearest thing so far. Edited August 29, 2019 by walshie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 8 hours ago, islandgun said: unless its one of these Lamprey are making a come back to a above a chipshop near you Not many creatures gives me the creeps like those ugly ******** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 53 minutes ago, walshie said: Somewhere between 4 and 6 inches i'd guess. I'm still not discounting Wels. There's a fishery within 20 miles of me that has large stocks of them Not a lamprey. That;s the nearest thing so far. Well, hang around until next spring and see if ducklings go missing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted August 30, 2019 Report Share Posted August 30, 2019 Wels will thin out the pond for sure. Description fits too. Bullheads are very finiky regards the quality of water, and river dwellers usually. If the water quality is poor in river they dont thrive well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted August 30, 2019 Report Share Posted August 30, 2019 Remember reading they can move across land on damp nights looking for a better food source, looks like they have found one in your pond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted August 30, 2019 Report Share Posted August 30, 2019 20 hours ago, walshie said: Somewhere between 4 and 6 inches i'd guess. I'm still not discounting Wels. There's a fishery within 20 miles of me that has large stocks of them Not a lamprey. That;s the nearest thing so far. You, know, I wonder if it could be an anorexic tench? Poisson Chat are very common in France, but I've not heard of them being over here. 26 minutes ago, old'un said: Remember reading they can move across land on damp nights looking for a better food source, looks like they have found one in your pond. Wels? No. Clarias catfish, or African walking catfish, yes, most certainly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted August 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2019 I recently got a permit to stock some carp, tench and silverfish. I think I'll hold off till I get to the bottom of this. As an aside, next door has a pond too and he caught a grass carp in there even though he has never put any in, only commons and mirrors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted August 31, 2019 Report Share Posted August 31, 2019 21 hours ago, old'un said: Remember reading they can move across land on damp nights looking for a better food source, looks like they have found one in your pond. Have seen eels moveing from the canal into tardibigge reservoir during rainy nights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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