Pond Fish

[alegna#45]

I discovered earlier today my golden orfe, which I've had about 10 years, measured about 12inches and weighed about 71b, was on the path next to the pond, dead, no sign of damage to the fish, could a cat have taken it out of the pond? I do have a net covering it but there is a small gap where marginal plants are growing, anyone else had a problem like this?

[lankeela]

Heron? Could have swooped down but dropped it on the way out. The fish could even have jumped out itself, if there is a lack of oxygen in the water.

[fairkatrina]

I'd guess a heron got through the hole in the netting and then realised it'd bitten off more than it could chew.

[hammerman]

Orfe are notorious for jumping out. If the weather ever gets stormy, the oxygen gets depleted in the pond and orfe hate it. Why it has chosen to jump out now i don't know but they will find the smallest of gaps believe me.

I lost a stunning koi by jumping out last year. It was a colour that i've never seen before and never likely to see again and i was gutted.

Oh....and a 7lb orfe ?????......the record for orfe being caught on a rod is only just over 4 lb. I have 10 orfe at work...all over 12" and would say they're about 2lb each.