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Joined: May 2006
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Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2006
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Please help settle a discussion.
I have strange fish: bowfin, gar, eels in my 18 year old 3 acre retention pond in North FLa. The pond was originally stocked by fishermen with what they caught else where. I think the above fish are a bit eccentric to go to that much effort.
The wife & her brother argue that waterfowl droppings are the source of the unique fish. It does not seem likey that eggs or fry would be viable after passing though their digestive tract. Plant seeds, yes.
I do not believe that senario is very likely. But a slightly more likely possibility is that the fry and eggs could be transported on the feathers and feet of waterfowl. While I think this is possible but unlikely.
Your opinions Please.
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Ambassador Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Ambassador Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Uh Oh - the floodgates about to be opened again!!!!!! J this subject has been "beaten like a borrowed mule" so get ready!!!!!!!
Just do it...
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Lunker
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Lunker
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Well, certainly no higher form of life will pass through the digestive tract of a bird. However, birds are most likely the primary source of "spontaneous pond stocking". I have observed egrets eating gambusia, and seen live babies (from a the ruptured belly of a pregnant female)stuck to the bird's beak. I think the babies would live at least 20 minutes. I beleive fertilized eggs can occasionally stick to a bird's feet. Also, birds will fly across water carrying a fish to the nest. Other birds will often harrass the bird, and it will instinctively drop the fish to get away. Nature finds a way!
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Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
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Posts: 13,938 Likes: 268 |
Not to discount non-human options (which have been discussed practically ad nauseum already, as noted), but I wouldn't rule out human stocking of ANYTHING. There's "unique" tastes in fish, there's purposeful rough fish stocking (I know of one pond where goldfish were stocked to "get" the owner), and most of all...
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity!
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
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Originally posted by rmedgar: Uh Oh - the floodgates about to be opened again!!!!!! J this subject has been "beaten like a borrowed mule" so get ready!!!!!!! heeee hawww J.E....I'm in the birds can definitely transfer (certain) fish species from one body of water to another camp (via legs and feathers...not digestive tract).....although I dont dare speculate about gar and bowfin.
GSF are people too!
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Joined: May 2006
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Lunker
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Lunker
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(I know of one pond where goldfish were stocked to "get" the owner), is it bad to have gold fish in a pond?
A little snow, Please!
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,938 Likes: 268
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
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It is if you don't want them. They can get to be quite large, spawn in ponds, and the out-generations tend to lose the attractive coloring. It can be quite similar to having common carp (with which they can supposedly cross).
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,319
Lunker
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Lunker
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Theo, Goldfish can definitely cross with Koi, cause I got six of the little buggers. They are not real handsome as you say. A Koi is just a carp.
In Dog Beers, I've had one.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 123
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The Bird Spread theory (also known as the B.S. hypothesis) set to rhyme
Old blue heron thinks eggs are sweet, Eats ‘em as a special treat. Picks up more on his heron feet.
Then snickering in his heron way, Flies to your pond that very day. Poops out some eggs, all intact, Washes off others, hit’s a fact.
Herons are evil with an evil plot, To bring gar and eels where they were not. Not like humans, who are never so mean, As to bring trash fish upon the scene.
Please send all royalty checks to Mudcat Joe Lou
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Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
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GSF are people too!
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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...I see Dave finally got that side job broadcasting for K.O.R.N. :p
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Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
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Lou, I figure Mr. M Joe will get all that is coming to him.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,938 Likes: 268
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,938 Likes: 268 |
Why do I suspect Mudcat Joe is one of the other three people in the world who writes dirty haiku? :rolleyes:
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Go Joe, Go Mudcat's in the flow A little rhyme and just in time to solve a fishy crime.
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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That's great. Mudcat is my hero. Can we make him a moderator?
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
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Member
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Lou, I figure Mr. M Joe will get all that is coming to him. Run, Mudcat, run! You are in big trouble, now! They done caught you runnin' that trot-line on the catfish farm.
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 274
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 274 |
friend recently said he got 2 walleye out of my pond. could fish have been in stream/wetland when pond built?
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