I have a large pond with a range of fish including some large and healthy orf. Over the last week - all six of the orf have died - and all other fish seem unaffected. I have had the pond for 3 years, changed nothing of the routine on water and plant management and all of the other fish seem perfectly normal. The dead fish appear unmarked and normal, no blotches, or paleness or any other obvious signs.
Any clues as to why? Help would be appreciated
In all the world there may be no fish species quite so sensitive to medications, run off, water quality, etc. as the Orfe. I've read that Rudd and Tench are equally sensitive, but the Orfe are the only ones in the group I've seen and killed in real life.
Yes, killed. Almost every time.
Quite often the hobbyists in my neck of the woods will have Orfe. Try and catch them! In anything but a pail of water it's impossible they are as fast as lightning. If you can get a seine into the pond you have half a chance but you will not get them all.
And if you treat them with ANY insecticide, or any other metals, minerals, chemicals, you name it - they die.
Someone desperately needs to assemble a list of medications Orfe WILL survive. But as you might guess, after accumulating a pile of dead Orfe, it would be an expensive experiment!
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