Damage to fish

Christine 14

We have a fairly large pond with many ornamental fish and a couple of carp - most of the fish are 10-15 years old.  The pond is well netted against our local herons and a big golden retriever seems to deter cats from coming through the garden.  This morning we were met with a scene of carnage - at least a dozen fish in various states of mutilation lying around on the grass, and fish scales all around. There is a small gap between the netting frame and the edge of the pond but I can't see how a cat could get his paw through to damage so many fish.  If he caught one, the others would immediately go to the bottom of the pond as they do when the heron appears.  What other creature could be responsible?  I would post some pictures but I think they could be upsetting to some people.  Any thoughts anyone?

Dovefromabove

Possibly an otter ... my brother lost some carp from a pond on the farm ... a webcam revealed the pond had been visited by a female otter and young ... she was teaching them to catch fish ... they ate the soft bellies of the fish and left the remainder as corpses around the pond. Looks as if they found a way through or under your netting somehow.  

Buttercupdays

Mink?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/wildlife/10304467/Germaine-Greer-something-fishy-about-minks.html

AnniD

Could it be mink perhaps? 

BobTheGardener

Any water courses nearby?  If so, suspect otters:

http://www.whitehorsenews.co.uk/blog/2017/08/29/otters-are-prime-suspects-in-fish-raids-on-local-ponds/

Another possibility is mink.

Christine 14

Thank you all for your comments - otters or mink do seem likely and we do have a stream not too far away.  Should we discover the culprit I will let you all know!!  

Hostafan1

otters had mine overnight , sounds similar

barry island

I saw a mink once when I was fishing in the canal it kept following the lure, they are small so would be able to get through a small hole. From what I've heard about otters they will damage as many fish as they eat but being bigger they would have left evidence like ripping the netting. Nature is red in tooth and claw so when we embrace nature we have to accept that wild creatures are just that.

Hostafan1

@barry island mink are not part of "nature" here. They've become more common due to " animal lovers" releasing them into the wild, to the detriment of many native species.

barry island

Yes they are an invasive species and can be humanely controlled if caught.

Hostafan1

barry island said:

Yes they are an invasive species and can be humanely controlled if caught.

it's a big "if"