What is a backyard without a fish pond? Having a fish pond in your backyard gives peace and tranquility. It is the easiest way to add beauty to your home. A fish pond is a pleasant sight whenever you enter your garden. Fresh and blossoming flowers growing right around a blue or sea green pond full of colorful wildlife.
Many people do not know which fish can survive in these small ponds. It is true you can not put sea fish into ponds. Neither can you get just any type of pond fish, as some will not survive due to size and oxygen levels.
The good news is there is a sufficient variety of fish you can choose from to add to your backyard pond. All of them are very beautiful to watch. They are a good source of attraction for guests and children.
If you have recently moved to a new house and have a garden pond but have no clue about its maintenance and the kind of fish you can get, this article has you covered. If you are a beginner and do not know where to start looking, consider this article as your first fish buying guide and start building your notes from here.
Figuring out fish ponds
Most people get a fish tank and keep their fish indoor. Note that indoor aquariums are nothing like outdoor ponds; both require different levels of care. Fishes that may thrive in the indoor tanks might not survive the harshness of the outdoors, specially if the ponds are poorly maintained.
Outdoor ponds are subject to changing climate, specially the harshness of winters. During winters, when the water freezes, there is very little oxygen for the fish (depending on your location). For this reason, you must ensure you have the right fish in the pond that will survive the ups and downs of outdoor life.
When looking for the ideal fish, be mindful of your pond’s attributes. They have a lot to do with the kind of fish you can add. The following things are essential for you to consider:
Pond Size
Some fishes cannot survive in tiny pond sizes. They need more room to maneuver around for their survival.
Water Depth
Some pond fish thrive in deeper waters. You will need to determine whether the fish you are choosing will have enough swimming room in the depth of your pond.
Water Quality
Almost all fish need good water quality to survive. But some fish can live a long time in some lesser quality water. You may need to do a little research on your fish selection to figure this out before making a purchase or end up changing the water frequently.
You will have to keep the pond clean of debris, add good quality water and a filtration source no matter which fish you get.
The types of fish you can get
There are many types of fish that you can add to your pond. The following list is a good starting point.
The Goldfish
If there is one fish anyone can think of keeping in their backyard pond, it is a goldfish. Goldfish never fails to shine, nor do they require too much maintenance. If you live in a harsh climate, goldfish is your go-to fish. They can survive many kinds of conditions. They are friendly and don’t pose a problem living with other fish. Furthermore, you won’t get bored of their yellow, red, white, orange and black colors. Goldfish feed on flakes, pellets, and dried foods that can be stored easily.
They are ideal if you have a very small to small pond; however, they can also survive with larger ponds if you keep them with other fish.
Koi Carp Fish
Another popular fish in most garden ponds is the Koi Carp Fish. They look similar to the goldfish but are bigger in size. They can survive in cold climates, however, note that if you live in a location with weather below 10 degrees Celsius, they may not be able to survive. Koi feeds multiple times a day and will require either fish food or meaty protein foods. If you decide to keep Koi in your pond, make sure you keep your pond deep and big enough to swim. Koi are big fishes and love their space.
Starlet Fish
If you are in countries like North America or Atlanta, you would want a fish that lives and thrives in the cold. Starlets are known for their adaptability to colder climates. They come from the freezing waters of Eurasia- Siberia, along with some of the rivers flowing into the Black Sea, the Azov Sea, and the Caspian Sea.
However, these little beauties are becoming increasingly endangered due to their natural habitats becoming inhabitable or being the subject of overfishing.
To keep these fishes, you must keep their dietary requirements in mind. These fishes can not digest proteins found in some commercial foods. These fishes require fish/shrimp protein. Sterlets need their own space and are best suited for larger ponds. They best survive in larger groups of their own kind.
Plecostomus Fish
Another popular fish most in demand is the fish known as Plecos, a catfish species. They are stunning and are often found in South America. However, they are nocturnal, omnivorous animals, and most of their activities are done during the night. During the day, they like to hide, so ensure that your pond has some hiding places for the fish. Furthermore, they eat algae; hence you must feed them plant-based foods. Plecos do not require feeding often, so even if you skip feeding them for a day, they will not suffer. Plecos love warmer climates, so house them in ponds during warmer times and during colder times, take them inside in aquariums where they will survive better.
Weather Loach
If you want a fish that thrives in ponds, it is the Weather Loach. These fish have been domesticated for many years. Furthermore, they are quite friendly and can predict bad weather. These fishes swim around frantically if a storm is expected, practically displaying their discomfort. They live up to ten years in the pond. The Loachs are bottom dwellers and will happily eat whatever is left at the bottom of the pond. Their diet consists of small crustaceans and detritus, but they will also enjoy fresh vegetables and peas.
Red Shiner
If you are looking for small fish to add to your pond, red shiners are the type of fish that thrive in ponds. They are about 3 inches in size and live very well in ponds. They are the perfect fish because, in the wild, they love to live in creeks and rivers. However, they are very social fish and like to remain with other fishes. As omnivores, these tiny fishes eat all kinds of invertebrates and algae. Their ideal diet will include anything from flakes to frozen foods. Since they are very sociable, they will live in ponds of all sizes and can adapt to living with other fishes.
Fathead Minnow
Fathead Minnows are tough fish, so don’t let their size fool you. They can withstand the harsh conditions of the water, so you can find this freshwater fish just about anywhere in the world. They can also survive in small, low oxygen ponds that might be inhabitable for other fish. The Minnow is an opportunity feeder- they will eat just about anything they come across. Dead plants, insects, flakes, and plankton are some of the favorite foods they enjoy. Minnows love to live in groups of 25 and above. Have a medium to big pond to house the Fathead Minnows. If you have other fish to add, get a bigger pond.
Golden Rudd
Like the fathead Minnow, the Golden Rudd can also survive in extreme weather and water conditions. They are also fascinating to look at with their silver bodies and red fins. So if you want to beautify your pond, they are the perfect fish for you to add-in. The Golden Rudd likes to eat high-quality food with easy digestion. These fishes live in groups and can grow up to 14 inches. House them in large deep ponds with a slight flow in water. The fish is highly sensitive to mold and will survive in water with a good filtration mechanism.
Conclusion
Start building your pond with Koi Kompanion by adding any of the fishes above, keeping your pond’s and weather conditions in view. If you are still unsure and need more information about the fishes, send us a message. We will send you information on how you can source these healthy fish that will last a lifetime in your ponds.
