Bob,
The goldfish have been in the pond for seven years….hummm! That's new information. I've read somewhere that the common goldfish can live for 15-20 years and grow to 12inches.
So, It'll take a large bass to eat those bigger goldfish.
You should try to get a few largemouth bass for your pond. They will eventually get large enough to eat the largest of your goldfish.
The birds will eat fish. That's what they do. The kingfisher is not a danger to your bass; the heron on the other hand, may be a threat. Some of the people have stated they have trained a dog to bark when herons are about, then there's the 12gauge option. Me, I'm for letting nature takes its course. I can always catch and release another dozen in the pond.
I had hoped that others would jump into this conversation, as I'm no expert on these matters, just a Mississippian lost in Maine that likes to Bass Fish and express his opinions.
Bottom line, sit back and enjoy your pond and let the fish in the pond sort it out as you're in this for the beauty of it and not to raise big bass.
Get going on the floating fish food. You may be able to train them to take it and then you'll have fun going down to feed them. Blue gills will chase you around the bank looking for a hand out.
