fish in a pond
Fish in the pond Overview
- Each inch of fish at maturity (not including tail) needs 24 square inches of water surface. A three by four square foot pond can hold 72 inches of fish, which can be 6 twelve inch long fish, 12 six inch fish, or 24 three inch fish. · Bubblers and sprays add oxygen the fish need.
- Fish feed on algae, and add carbon dioxide, which the plants need, and their waste fertilizes the plants.
- Fish eat plants, so buy large ones or let smaller ones grow before adding fish. Exposed roots can be protected with mesh around them.
- Fish eat mosquito larvae and other insects landing on the water. DO NOT spray insecticides around the pond.
Koi tolerate cold weather better than gold fish but cost considerably more.
- Fancy goldfish with flowing tails, bulging eyes, etc. do not do well in ponds. Standard types do well, and bright orange ones show up more in a pond than silver or white ones.
- Koi can be aggressive to goldfish and can also breed with them.
- Shubunkin are a small variety of goldfish with mixed colors. They are attractive but not as hardy.
- Small trout fingerlings are possible for the summer.
- Have a small holding tank available for sick fish. They will hide at the bottom and won't eat, so could be ignored until it is too late.
Fish add a fascinating aspect to a pond, with their movement and color. Goldfish do well in a pool over the summer, and are inexpensive. Koi are more expensive, but have beautiful coloration, grow to large fish. Fish also eat mosquitoes, so are handy to have.