Golden Ofrs

Question
I have had a fish pond for almost 4 years without any problems until now.Over the last 36 hours I have lost 3 of my smaller fish,the water tests are ok but I have noticed the 2 golden orfs that I have seem to be bullying the smaller fish.Could
the stress of this have caused the problem,and should I seperate the smaller fish.  

Answer
Hi Sylvia,
Thanx for your question.  The orfs can be bullies.  If you don't have a larger group of fish, they will bully the smaller fish to death, as you have experienced.  I always had 100 goldfish or more and this kind of kept the orfs at bay although they would occasionally bully the other fish.  Orfs will go after smaller fish to the point of stressing them out to the point of death.  The pond may be too small to maintain orfs with goldfish or other fish. Each fish needs at least one square gallon of water.  Check out how much water you have and how many fish you have.  Orfs will back off if there are larger fish in the pond.  Yes, you may have to separate the fish if the pond is too small.  Let me know if you have more questions.
Tom