Piranah in the Pond

In our pond we have piranha; well the fish think they are piranha. Let me explain, since we stocked our pond four years ago we have always fed the fish so they would grow and multiply well. Over that time the fish have associated people with food. So now any time you get near the pond, it starts, you see wakes in the water as the fish start streaming toward you. They will follow you around the pond hoping you will feed them. In the cool of the day every other day we go out to feed them. As they see someone coming, the water comes alive as hundred or so Bluegill swarm to the feeding area. As the food hits the water the water erupts as the feeding frenzy starts. This will go on for a few minutes until everyone gets their fill. This year we plan of harvesting some of the larger Bluegill, around the pond. They need to be removed to let the others grow to their full size.

The fish serve two proposes on the farm, they control mosquitoes in the pond and will later this year start to provide us with food. Further, the pond itself is there for brush fire control. Large forest fires are not common here. Our local volunteer fire companies do a very good job of knocking them down before they can spread. Also, this area has a tendency  to practice good forest management.