Changes in my Fish this Summer

Hi. I cannot believe how much my commons have grown this summer. At least an inch a month. And their colors have totally changed. I started out with one that was a calico and one that was black and gold and now I have two orange and white and two mostly orange.

In Mid June. You'll see the mostly black one at the top of the photo. My minnows are gone. Some died and the last three a predator got one night. Since then I added the planter on its side you'll see. Will be a good place to hide in the winter too.



This morning

 

Wow, it's amazing how much they've grown! Too bad about the minnows though.

 

The pond looks really nice. Alison

 

Wow, it's amazing how much they've grown! Too bad about the minnows though.

Yeah it must've been a small predator, I figure one that could get into the water like a muskrat or ?? , not sure but all three were gone overnight and the bigger goldies left alone. Weird right? I looked everywhere for them, nothing. Just vanished.

 

Could the goldfish have eaten them? I'm wondering if it was a small animal that got to them, they would've left some trail of water or footprints?

 

Even small predators could eat goldies. I would assume the goldies at them!

Such pretty fish and setup!

 

That crossed my mind but I don't think so. For one thing, they've all been together since they were small and I don't see the goldfish saw them as predators. Also, there have been others who have died (or possibly killed) but they were never eaten, well maybe their head but most of the body was always there and sometimes their whole body. I think there would have been some remains of some sort. If it was at night, any foot prints would've been dry.

Oh and this was weird, there was a ton of seagulls around the neighborhood the day before which I have NO idea why.

Its a mystery to me and I guess possible but I don't think so and I'll never know....I won't get anymore either way because the 4 goldfish will be plenty for the 165g as they grow.