Topic: Goldfish in the water butts

[buxton diggers]

Bob Flowerdew says you can! I'm worried that they'll die: anyone any experience?

[glow777]

they'll be ok given enough food water and oxygen

BTW are you in Buxton?

[Margaret]

They might survive,but what an existence! Surely there must be a kinder and better way of keeping a few goldfish so that you can see them and they can enjoy a swim round some plants and see the open sky,for goodness sake!!

And what happens when the water supply dries up cos you need it for the garden? Fish have feelings too!! :'(

[buxton diggers]

We do live in Buxton, which is why our water butt won't run dry! I thought it was kinder (real flies and bugs, loads of room) than a tiny tank. I'm not getting them for the butt: these are three that need rehoming.

[muddy boots]

Having redone our pond this year, can say that they are fine in water butt for a few days but, in the meantime, I would make a small pond to put them in long term.  Something like half a lined wooden barrel or baby bath, etc.  Since there are only three goldfish they don't need a great deal of space but they do benefit from a couple of plants to encourage the algae that they feed on as well as any proprietory food you give them.  Also, it encourages a better balance and they do need a little shade/something to lurk under!

Good luck and let us know how you get on.   :)

[silly billy]

They might survive,but what an existence! Surely there must be a kinder and better way of keeping a few goldfish so that you can see them and they can enjoy a swim round some plants and see the open sky,for goodness sake!!

And what happens when the water supply dries up cos you need it for the garden? Fish have feelings too!! :'(

I agree with Margaret.I have been tempted myself especially when I see all the gnat larvae.I won't even put a couple in my half barrel as I feel it doesn't give them a very good life.

[glow777]

We do live in Buxton,

And so do I, are you on the Cote Heath  ;D or Fairfield allotments :'(

[Margaret]

Hi Buxton.I am sorry,i thought you were planning to get the fish and put them in there long term.Good on you for rescuing them,i have done the same for quite a few of mine over the years.People think all they need is any old body of water and they will be ok.

If your water butt is large,uncovered so they get plenty of daylight,and you can put lots of oxygenating weed and a small pump in there when it is hot,then they willl be ok short term,as Muddy says.But it is unfair on them for any long term plan and definitely not over the winter.

Either a lined or prefab pond,or even a second hand good size tank indoors will be fine.Indoors you get the pleasure of them all year round.It is a bit late in the year to start digging a pond now,and getting them acclimatised to an outdoor life.I would go down the tank route and plan a nice pond for next spring.I started off with just a few fish in a tank and now have 2 ponds and well over 100 fish.So beware!!

[buxton diggers]

Cote Heath!

[glow777]

Cote Heath!

me too no 35 (i think)

[keef]

I went to a pub near woodcote (reading) once that has gold fish in the toilet cistern.

[buxton diggers]

Don't know our number either but we're on the Dale Road side!

[buxton diggers]

The goldfish are now released: into the pond! And swimming about like happy little fatties. Does this mean that, next year when I get my ducks, I have to make another pond (and keep them away from this one) to stop the ducks eating the fish?

[teresa]

If you have a water but near the back door, to keep a couple of fish to eat the mosquits and eggs so they did not come in the house and eat you. This I heard years ago.
Then you could always put I think vedge oil on the top of the water to stop the bitters from getting on the water to lay eggs works the same.