When I saw the guy from the hatchery unloading our fish, I couldn’t help but think of the old children’s song: “There’s a Hole in the Bucket, Dear Liza, Dear Liza.”
Our farm ponds needed a new infusion of fish. When I went on line, I discovered that one of the major fish hatcheries in the state—Country Fish Farm— is located in Salem, not far from our house. What’s more, they deliver. Our fish arrived this week: channel catfish, hybrid blue gill, and largemouth bass.
The Pouty Pond
First, I should point out, that farm ponds can be temperamental. We have two in front of the house. The smaller holds water nicely. It was once a hog pond, which gives it a firmly packed lining. But the larger pond has been leaky from the git-go and inclined to grow algae. We have done everything short of putting concrete in the bottom to prevent the leakage.
These young blue gill were quite lively and ready for their new location.
We remedied the algae with grass carp, that feast on pond gunk and plant growth. They are eating machines. But all their plant munching disturbs the nesting areas of other fish. You might say, they don’t cohabit well with others.
This time we put most of the fish in the smaller pond, that has never grown algae. Grass carp weren’t needed Thanks to the pigs of yesteryear the bottom is well sealed.
Relocation from hatchery to farm pond. According to feeding instructions, we should put out some dry fish food at about the same time each day. Our fish delivery man said the size and weight of mature fish depends on how frequently they’re fed. Hmm. . . that makes sense. At least, it’s always worked that way for me. 🙂
