Pond goldfish

Question
QUESTION: Hello Karen,

I need some help, I have 13 goldfish in my pond which is 5' x 5'. Last week I noticed my fish were chasing each other and it looked like they were fighting. I researched it on the web and found that they were mating. Not long after I noticed eggs on the water and what looked like tiny fish inside. But they didn't last long and they all disappeared. I was told that I needed to put some pond plants in there so the eggs could be hidden and it would also help with my major algae problem. So yesterday I went and bought some Parrots' feather and a few oxygen naters. I already had a Lilly pad. But today I noticed once again my fish were chasing each other around and jumping up in the water. And during this battle, one female lost the fin by her gills and swims sideways, I haven't seen her yet, so I'm thinking she died and is either in my filter or on the bottom. But I have another female that is being beaten by two males, and she is acting rather strangely. I don't know what to do, she keeps coming to the surface and gasping, and then she swims upside down, sideways, and believe it or not she treads on the water (her front part is completely out of water and her lower part is in the water). Can you help me figure out what is wrong. I thought maybe there wasn't enough oxygen in the water, so I took a fish tank pump and placed the tubes in the water to create more bubbles. I have a fountain. Please help me.

Thanks Tonya

ANSWER: Dear Tonya,
I don't like being the bearer of bad news, but do you think the pond is just overcrowded maybe? With 13 goldfish in a 5 X 5 foot pond that's not a lot of room and "elbow" space for all those fish. And I imagine at spawning time it's even worse because the pond may be too small for the female(s) to get away...Or maybe there isn't enough hiding places. I've never had problems with goldfish being that aggressive in my pond, and my pond is quite small. But I've only had a few goldfish in it for many years that I've had it setup. There may even be a water quality problem going on here since goldfish are such big polluters. Goldfish are also big oxygen consumers, more so than other fish of equal size and 13 of them may be all struggling for oxygen. The foutain and airpump may help, but I'm not sure if it will be enough.

I would be willing to experiment with taking out a lot of the goldfish. If you have a tank to put them in that would be great (but it would have to be big though) or oftentimes some locally owned petshops will take unwanted fish no problem. Just I'd try some way to thin down your population and see how they behave after that. Lots of extra plants will help tremendous as you know. The female goldfish that is panicking so bad that she is treading the water is probably just her last attempt at trying to get away from the other goldfish. Many fish will also act strange, dart around or act panicky if there is a water quality issue. A quick water change would be great just a precaution.

I'm sorry to hear your goldfish are having such a hard time. I hope you can get things straightened out. I know this may have not been the best news you wanted to hear but I really hope this helps!!
Best of luck!
Karen~

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Karen,

Thanks so much for the information, unfortunatly the fish I was having the problem with died. Can you give me a link that could help me on more information. This is the first pond my kids and I have ever had. So we do not know all the basics. Like how many fish, water quality, how to test your water, etc. Thanks again for you help.

Answer
Hi Tonya,
You're welcome..I'm sorry to hear the poor fish died. That's really bad that you're first pond has to be so much trouble.
I'll try to provide links that may help... I'm not much an expert on ponds.  I only keep a small pond that's been setup for several years with a few goldfish.

http://www.bradshawsponds.co.uk/bradponds/pondsolver.htm

http://www.bradshawsponds.co.uk/dirbradponds.htm

http://watergarden.com/pages/seasonal.html

http://www.watergarden.org/Pond-Info

I really hope this helps!!!
Best wishes,
Karen~