Wild Fish

Question
My dad recently caught a small crappy from a lake. I'm not sure what it's real name is but that's what everyone in my neighborhood calls it. He left a tank outside filled with tap water for about 2 weeks and then he put the fish in. He didn't let the container float to exact the temperature but he just dumped it in. When I went to check on the fish, it rocking up and down but  not violantly. Last night, raccoons or some sort of other animal took the fish. The tank was clear but now it's muddy, I found scales everywhere, on the chair beside the table that held the tank and on the ground. We want to keep the crappy outside but we don't want it to get eaten. Is there a cover we can get to prevent animals but still keep it outside? And we're not sure what to feed the fish once we get it except worms.

I'm really sorry for the long question, but I'm only a child and I was really disappointed when I found the fish gone. Thanks.

Stephanie

Answer
Hi Stephanie;

So sorry about your fish. What a shame. Racoons are a terrible nuisance and can rip the cover off of just about anything you might keep the fish in. They are extremely strong for their size too. Pond owners can put an electric wire around the pond and just make sure the pond is 3 feet deep with heavy rocks in the bottom so the fish can hide. That is the only way to help insure the fish are safe, but some racoons still get them anyway.

The only safe place for fish is indoors, I'm afraid.

Followups welcome

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

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