What fish should I keep in my pond if I want to attract wildlife too?

Answer 1

A well-planned and cared for pond is an eco-system on its own. It will attract wildlife - depending on your location in the world - including newts and frogs, pond skaters and water-boatmen, etc. It will also attract cats, dogs, deer and other animals seeking water.
The most important pre-requisite for a wildlife pond is providing a correct balance of plants. If the pond is not self-replenishing with water (ie from a stream) you will need an oxygenating weed. Water Irises and other ornamental plants give colour and pleasing appearance and their blooms attract bees and insects seeking nectar. Water Lilies and the like provide shelter for pond dwellers and shade in hot sunny weather.
Fish should be your last addition when the pond has been established for a while. All fish will attract Herons but these can be kept away by a floating netting, though this does spoil the look of the pond. Some people have found that a large lifelike model heron, placed in or beside the pond, acts as a Heron deterrent!
Fish will control the ponds insect population, especially the larvae of mosquitos and the like. Add some pond snails too to keep the growth of algae down (check for the right snails with a knowledgeable Garden Centre, as some pond snails will eat all your plants).
Try too for a feature such as a (pumped) waterfall or fountain - helps to keep the water moving and aereated - looks good too. Ponds are good with overhanging shrubs preferably evergreens (to avoid leaf drop) to provide shadow and shade. An area of small rocks on the bottom, and perhaps one or two large rocks (NOT limestone) that break the surface add to the appearance, provide breeding areas, allow amphibians to leave the water, and improve the aesthetic and natural appearance of the pond. Try to avoid man-made items such as statues, windmills, boats - they don't look right.
What fish? I used to keep cat-fish in mine - the bigger the pond, the bigger they grow - but they will eat your snails and all your insects. Common goldfish as good as anything - at least you can see them with their brighter colours, but they are prone to certain diseases and you need to fish out (no pun intended) any floating carcasses quickly.

Answer 2

Short of attracting bears with a pond full of Salmon, I can't imagine the type of fish you have underwater will have any connection to the wildlife the area may attract.

Answer 3

just research what good plants there are to put in the pond. This will provide plenty of oxygen and some plants help to clean the water (sorry dont really no any details on that though!) you will need to drain out some of the water and replace it every couple of months. just think natural ponds in the wild that arent managed by humans last for so long but they do eventually become anaerobic and life ceases to exist in them then they dry out and fill with sediment over time. Keep a check on the plants dont allow the pond to become too covered with leaves and debris at the surface

Answer 4

Yep goldfish are the answer. I have some that have been alive for 5 years. Remember though if you don't want the wildlife in your garbage and stuff, don't encourage them to get comfortable with easy access. Lots of wild animals lose their lives because people think they are cute until it kills their dog or cat.

Answer 5

My neighbors put koi in their pond and attracted all kinds of wildlife, bobcats, mountain lions and egrets, mostly.

Answer 6

you should keep large carp
and it will attract a rare breed called (latin) nextus doorus catus & anythingus elsus that passus in the nightus

Answer 7

Goldfish, Their cheap and expendable.

Answer 8

The kind you don't mind losing.

Answer 9

goldfish attract herons
(waaaaaaaah!)

Answer 10

live ones- oops sorry - too obvious -