How to Keep Fish Out of a Pond Skimmer

Keep your fish from getting sucked into your pond skimmer.

Pond skimmers filter out harmful debris and protein from your pond to keep your fish happy and healthy. After installing a new pond skimmer or adding new fish to your pond, you may notice fish getting sucked into the pond skimmer and stuck. While this typically doesn't harm the fish, it's an undesirable situation and in certain cases can cause drowning. Consider whether an adjustment to the pond skimmer will fix the problem, or if you need to replace the device all together.

Things You'll Need

• Small fish net
• Plastic or stiff mesh
• Pond rocks
• Plastic clips
• Pond skimmer net

Instructions

1. Place a new pond skimmer into the pond when you'll have time to check on the fish frequently for the next few days. If a fish gets sucked into the skimmer, gently lift him back out and into the pond using a small fish net. Soon fish will learn where to swim around the filter.

2. Repeat this cycle and scoop the fish out when new fish arrive in the pond, until they learn to stay away from the skimmer. Garden-Fountains.com notes you shouldn't worry if your fish swim near the filter after a while. They may enjoy swimming against the current and have learned what areas are safe for swimming.

3. Compare other fish skimmers to your current version if fish constantly get stuck inside it. The design may not work well in your pond or with your fish. Note where the fish seem to get caught and look for a pond skimmer with a different layout that will reduce access to this area, or a smaller version less likely to suck up small fish.

4. Place a piece of plastic or stiff mesh with holes large enough to allow debris to flow into the skimmer, but small enough to keep your fish out. Secure in place with a few pond rocks placed around the base or a plastic clip on either side to secure it to the skimmer. Avoid flimsy mesh which may tangle and trap fish in it.

5. Choose a different net, or pond skimmer with a different net size and type, if your fish get tangled in the net. While fish may get sucked into a pond skimmer from time to time, they shouldn't get tangled or trapped in the net. Keep the net clean for the health of your fish, and choose a material that's not too flimsy or loose.

References

• Garden Fountains: Pond Skimmers
• Google Docs: Backyard Ponds and Water Gardens
• Natural Resources Conservation Source: Backyard Ponds