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Ponds in the UK

Fish been eaten.

16 years ago

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has any advice. My dad has a pond in his garden, and a few years ago lost all his fish to a heron (knew it was a heron as we saw it, leaving after it had removed every fish, bitten their heads off and left them on the lawn).

He restocked the pond, putting a plastic heron to deter it coming again, then he lost his fish again. This time we believe it was a minx. His garden in right next to a river and minx, otters and the like have all been spotted on a regular basis.

He's just recently restocked the pond, and has strung strong fishing line in a criss-cross fashion over the pond, threading it through copper pipe which he has screwed to the inside of the pond. We were sure this would be enough to keep the fish safe.

Last night, something has entered the pond through a gap about an inch sqaure, dragged two fish out, eaten one, leaving only it's tail and a few scraps and leaving another gasping for air on the lawn. (My dad put this fish back in the pond and it's still alive although we're not expecting much, would have thought the shock would kill it, poor thing.)

We've set a humane trap for tonight with the scraps of the eaten fish to see if we can catch anything that returns. Obviously if we catch it, we'll know what it was for definite but don't know what we're going to do in the future.

If any one has had any experiences with minx, etc and/or found ways to prevent this, advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry to go on so long, but it really is upsetting to think what the poor things have gone through.

Thanks in advance,

Kelly

Comments (4)

AJC_1
16 years ago
Hi kelly

odd a heron leaving heads on the lawn, they normaly swallow the fish whole head first.

Otters often leave the tail end of thier prey, seems they are not keen on that bit, mink are messy eaters, leave bits all over the place, and often as not they will hunt another fish or several just because its there, otters only hunt when hungry, maybe it was disturbed after catching the 2nd, both otters and mink are able to squeeze in small holes, so culprit could be either, there are young of both out at this time of the year.

If you do catch a mink, drown it!!! they are a menace, if you release it, it will only continue to kill british wild life, they are only here because of those fools in animal rights let them free without thinking of the effect they would have! mink are best left in their own enviroment, and used as a coat in this one, you need to make sure to block off all areas to the pond, becasue both mink and otter will find any small opening and exploit it.

be carful with the copper too, copper can have a bad effect on fish over a period of time, so if its overhanging the water anywhere paint it to seal it
dampflippers
16 years ago
If it is mink, please contact Shropshire wildlife trust for advice. I have just looked on their website and there seems to be a mink problem in the area
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kelly2910
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks so much for your advice.
We're pretty certain it's a mink now, realised it took three fish the first night and then came back the next night and took another three. There were scales and tails everywhere so definitely a messy eater.
We've set a trap but no joy as yet, spent all day last Sunday catching the remaining fish and moved them to a friends pond to keep them safe.
AJC - the copper doesn't touch the water, I'd say it's a good six inches above but thanks for the warning anyway.
Dampflippers - Will be in touch with wildlife trust, thanks.
Anyway, for now got to find some solution to stopping it getting back in the pond until then at least the fish are safe.
Thanks again,
Kelly
reneenovack
12 years ago
The only way to trap a mink is to place a round spring action trap on a ledge or edge where mink will step on it and drown. Traps must be under water. You must secure trap with a chain so it does not get dragged into pond. These are like bear traps. The only bait unfortunately are your live fish- they will not go for cages with canned tuna-only live fish in pond -get many traps and post signs so people will not forget to be careful. Use feeder fish to lure them in before restocking with koi or expensive fish.

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