We done got ourselves a blanketing infestation of duckweed on the pond. I'd never heard of it, but Charles knew what it was, and he knew how we got it -- those teals that were decorating our lagoon made a visit, also, to the pond. It spreads like wildfire and is difficult to eradicate, but we found a fix online and ordered it. We'll never know if the chemical guaranteed to not harm the fish (or consumers) was responsible for the outcome. More likely, the rapid decomposition of the duckweed wrenched too much oxygen from the water, and we didn't begin aerating until significant damage had occurred.
We've lost several bass, over 40 two-pound+ channel cats, and 4 of 8 enormous koi. Big uh-oh. Sort of a tough week on the farm.
The duckweed is leaving, though, and as the water clears, we see hordes of little fish. There are probably some hardy whoppers which made it, too. When the last of the duckweed is gone, I may just throw in a well baited line and see what I pull out. That may also be the first time in my life when catch-and-release will make sense to me. ºÜº
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. ~Matthew 7:13-14
No comments:
Post a Comment