Goldfish massacre

[naff]

9 goldfish in Garden pond have been beheaded --
they were all about 6 inch long.
Whatever did it -- got under the net took fish out of water and removed the heads - the bodies have been left on the pond surround and on water plants. so it appears it wasn't for food......
We are in Horning (Norfolk Broads) about 1/2 mile from river.
Any suggestions as to what did this ???

[wildwood]

It sound as if you've been visited by one of the mustelids - weasel, stoat, mink etc. as in time of plenty they are known to just take the most nutritious part of the prey - the brain.
They can squeeze through an amazingly small hole so I doubt if you can stop them other than trap them and release them a few miles away..

Bears also do this when the salmon are running, just eating the heads and the ova of the females. The ones who have lower rank and less favourable fishing spots eat the whole fish when they can get hold of one.

[MsEVP]

Wow, Wildwood, that`s very interesting. I`ve grown up living with my mother`s goldfish (in a bowl) and they all had names and she used to speak to them. However, I read recently that they`ve only got a memory span of about 3 seconds. Also, just read about the goldfish who keeps trying to commit suicide! and the one who always swims upside down! The world`s a funny place, dieu.

[wildwood]

Dear MsEVP, I'm afraid the theory that goldfish only have a memory span of 3 seconds is a complete myth.
Anyone who's had goldfish knows that they come to the surface when food is supplied, even after they have not been fed for a week. This requires considerable memory.

[kevo2k7]

My last surviving goldfish is 20yrs of age and hes in a big tank in my bedroom,every time i get out of bed or walk in my bedroom he sees me through the glass and starts swimming about really fast in circles with excitement and swimming to the top of the tank letting me know hes ready for his munch,so the 3second so called memory span is total rubbish...oh and if anybody else goes in the room he doesnt even flinch which just shows that he also recognizes me and knows im his owner!!

[naff]

Wildwood --
Many thanks for your response..
We don't get Bears around here so you've probably
solved it with mink --
We did'nt know about them taking the brain..
I don't think we'll try to trap but hope they've had
enough brain for a while...
Regards Naff