[ANHBUC]

   We built our pond in July 2001 and stocked it with goldfish and 2 Grass Carp.  Over the years we have had to restock due to the heron helping itself and natural death of the fish.  The only survivor we had was "Jaws" that was until today.  He/she has died and there are no signs of disease or attack by the heron.

My dilemma is this do we bury the carp or is that a waste?

Do we cook it and feed it to our cat or is that a bad thing to do?

   Advice and suggestions urgently needed.

[joyfull]

some people bury fish under the roots of fruit trees so perhaps you could do this - the fish gets a proper burial and you hopefully get some fruit. I wouldn't give it to the cat just in case it wasn't an illness that killed it 

[Trillium]

I agree with Joy. Bury the fish under a fruit tree (I do that a lot). Its possible the fish died of old age but its always better to be safe than sorry if you love your cat.

[ANHBUC]

Our soil is clay and frozen solid at the moment.  Would have to store it in the freezer until it could be burried.  It is the healthiest looking dead fish I have ever seen!  We usually loose one fish each year in the cold weather, just think it was too old to cope with the freezing conditions. 

Does it have to be a fruit tree or can it be any tree or perhaps a cob nut?

Our Bagpuss is living on borrowed time so wouldn't want to help her on her way.  She did used to look longingly at Jaws swimming in the pond though!   

[smud6ie]

Could  the fish have died as a result of the pond freezing over?
smud6ie

[ANHBUC]

Could  the fish have died as a result of the pond freezing over?
smud6ie

The pond was frozen but not to the extent it had been in any of the previous 10 winters.  I do think it was a combination of old age and the cold.  We have frozen Jaws until we can decide where to bury it.