Thanks for the responses.
The bottom of the pond is not mud, it is cement. I hope they are behind the waterfall, there is no way to tell.
I don't live in the desert! I live in Ventura County, and my house is about 30 miles from the beach.
I don't think that they climbed out of the pond, there is a lip around the top edge. I have attached a picture, so others can see my set-up. There is a cave like opening on the right of the picture, where there is a white flexible pipe that goes to the waterfall pump. This is where they are hopefully hiding.
I don't think a critter got them, the fish are fine and all accounted for, and, there has been no disturbance to the pond or plants. The were both around 4" in the summer when they went into the pond.
Thanks for the suggested possibilities and I will just keep looking.

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