Comet Dilemma

[Beasts]

I have 2 -6 to 8 inch comets I would like to move to our backyard pond. The problem is that the pond, which is .6 acres and a maximum of 30 feet deep, has about 75 large catfish (18 inches plus). These comets were purchased for 10 cents each as "guinea pigs" to go through the initial cycling of my 410 gallon. Two years later and they are destroying many of my plants. I would like to see them survive and thrive and, if they would have even a decent chance of doing that in the pond, I would rather try it than take a chance on good care by involving a lfs. The pond also contains quite a few good size blue gills and a couple of Perca flavescens which are smaller than the comets. There is some plant cover but a lot of open water. So, is someone out there willing to tell me, from experience, what they think the odds are?
Beasts

 

[Notophthalmus]

Slim. At their size, the comets are probably safe from the bluegill, but the cats will pound them down if they catch them sleeping. If you really want to keep them in the pond, you might need to put them in a 'breeder net'. This will protect them from the cats.

 

[Flaringshutter]

:iagree: Definitely a good idea! If you don't have a breeder net large enough, consider partitioning off part of the pond. You can do that with a large net weighted around the bottom and secured to the sides of the pond. That way they have water movement and room to grow before you chance it with the cats.

 

[Beasts]

I have several enclosures constructed of 1/2" by 1" welded wire about 5 feet in diameter to protect some of my lilies. They should serve well as protection until November when I will have to let the comets loose so that they can move to deeper water for the winter. The area where the lilies are is only about 2.5 feet deep. I will keep my fingers crossed. Hopefully they will have grown enough by then to take care of themselves. Their girth is already greater than that of the perch. Thanks to both of you for your input.

 

[Flaringshutter]

Perfect! That should work out fine. In a pond, their growth will really take off. I think by November they will be big and fat.