Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

No other way to describe it.

One day all is good in the aquaponic world and then literally overnight... they were gone.


It appears they fell victim to one or more Raccoons. As if fighting insects and mice/rats were not enough now I have a gang invading my turf and my other "produce".

I lost 40 -50 ish fish that lived in the 50 gal tank. the 100 gal tank does not appear to have been bothered and I still believe I have 12-14, 1lb tilapia in that tank.


only 7 survivors in the 50 gal tank. They were small 1-3 inchers. I've had these as fry (1/4 - 1/2 inch) since Sept 2016. As you can see the bigger ones were bigger, pushing 5-8 inches.



SO not sure what to expect tonight, but I'll be waiting.

Sorry to see you lost this many. I've heard raccoons don't like it when they can't touch the bottom, maybe that's why the bigger tank didn't have troubles . Get a cover on the tanks if you can

Sounds like it is time for some lead poisoning. I have a group of critters helping themselves to all my blushing toms.

I had about 5 koi just disappear until I put some shade cloth over the top.

Hope you achieve satisfactory resolution to your problem.

Adam

Wow, unbelievable, I didn't know anything about raccoons as we don't have them in the wild here. We do get Herons flying down to eat fish but they don't leave a big mess like that and a few deterrents help keep them away. I hope you manage to get back up and running soon. Good luck.

I have nothing to add to this thread, but on the topic of raccoons and not being familiar with them in your area I thought I should share these commercials...

Geico raccoons (original)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD5ha9mENzw

And when searching for that link I came across some new ones (not quite as funny, but still kind of funny)... there are four or five videos in a row after this one... Raccooooking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-3LD1J ... _d&index=1


Tastes like mango chutney and burnt hair.... I can't get the taste out of my mouth!

Wow, I'm sorry for your devastating loss!

I have caught raccoons trying to get into my pond - I keep a shade cover close over the top. I chased them away with a pellet gun. I didn't see any return for over a year. A couple weeks ago I caught one digging grubs and he scampered up my avocado tree. I pushed him out with a length of PVC pipe. I want to be sure they know they are not welcome, and the consequences are severe. They are smart and obnoxious, generally wondering what I am doing in their garden until I show them what's what.

I like raccoons (and all wildlife) as long as they are not in my yard!