Pond Predators

[FlutterChin]

Something has been killing my fish, the other day I found one of the brim with the tail chewed off and scales removed laying on a rock. I also had noticed several of my hyacanth chewed on at the bulbs, half eaten. Well, I went and set a trap and caught, of all things, a skunk. I am wondering if this is my predator? or just one of a few? I was thinking my problem was more likely a racoon. I am going to reset the trap...any suggestions on bait?

[Swamprat]

Coons usually eat the head.
Bait ? Peanut butter or dog food with the oil from a can of tuna..

[reptar15]

I also had noticed several of my hyacanth chewed on at the bulbs, half eaten.

sounds like a racoon or a cat. I've had similar problems with finding floating plants half eaten and left around the pond, but i haven't had any fish eaten up yet. if anyone has suggestions on how to prevent this i would also appreciate it.

[Peg]

I have a small pond with a few koi in it. We live in an area that has lots of coons, cats and skunks. My pond is ground level and not all that deep. I use cherry tree netting that you can get at any garden center or Wal-Mart. I keep it tight by using rocks or tent pegs. I find this works well to keep the fish in and the critters out. Taller pond plants will grow up through it and it is somewhat invisable. A bit of a pain in the butt if you have to remove anything from the pond or want to hand feed, But at least you will have something to feed in the end :wink:

[reptar15]

a family friend once told us to sprinkling pepper around garbage cans prevented racoons from foraging through his garbage. i never tried this around the pond because i didn't want to get the pepper into the water.

[Jackie Ramo]

Skunks are lovely critters who eat grubs and worms but not fish. Raccoons will eat stupid fish kept in shallow ponds but minks and otters will eat every fish in the pond no matter how deep or big. Mind a fish that jumped out could be half eaten by just about anything.

[luke frisbee]

ditto