i want to get a fish pond in my ....?

Question

back yard but i dont know what the heck to do i live in LongIsland,Newyork so in the winter it gets cold and the ponds get icy in the summer it gets really hot will the fish adjust to it what do i need to know please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

what other tpe of fish then koi would eels,stingrays or sharks be a good choice

Answer 1

First of all, in a pond, the purpose is to enjoy the fish. Eels, freshwater stingrays as well as sharks you will never see. These animals have no color fresh water speaking. What fun is that just to know you have them?

Koi and gold fish (shabunkins) even common commets grow and are beautiful fish.

Outdoor ponds aren't aquariums per sei. You can switch from the ho hum Koi/goldfish and go with palimino trout! even rainbows. I have only one in my larger pond. My daughter caught it while we were fishing one weekend. She wanted to keep him....usually I toss them all back.

People in the New England states have out door ponds. Doesn't matter if it freezes or if it gets warm in the summer, people in Florida have ponds as well.

There are a few things to consider however. Since you are in basically the same climate as I am, your pond should not be less than 3 foot deep. The deeper the better. That isn't to say the entire pond needs to be 3 feet but there needs to be a section where the fish can retreit in the winter when ice over hits.

Plants such as water hyacinth, hardy lilies horse tails cattails etc would be a good item for summer months when it is hot. The lilies and hyacinths will provide shade....and cover from birds and neighborhood cats.

You can use a preform or dig your own shape and use a liner.

Remember, when the water temps drop and stay 50 or below, you cannot feed your fish. RESIST TEMPTATION. when water temps drop below 50 pond fish/ fish in general go into a hybernation state. Their bodies do not require food and the food that they have eaten has time to leave their bodies. Sounds sick but they even have food to cleanse fish colons for winter. Any food or feeding food to pond fish once the temps drop below 50 does something nasty to them it rots and creats gas build up in the fish. Killing them.

Also, never bang or chip the ice out of your pond. Your little pond is not like a lake and the shock waves you creat have no where to go. They will cut into the fish like a knife and kill them.

Knowing this, now you can decide do you still want a pond.

Other options are to bring the fish in in the winter (I did this my first year....never again!)

You could also on a deck get a free standing 40-50 gallon fountain and put in a few fish. Decorate it and aside from winter maintenance, your fish store will more than likely take the fish or buy them back from you. You could also work out a deal where you do this every year. No winter maintenance. Plus a water pond on a deck with a trickle fountain would add a nice touch to your Longisland evening.

If you want more info, feel free to im or email me any time.

Good luck.

Answer 2

You need to carefully research what you are doing. Of course it's possible and can be done well and look good. The main thing to do is have an area deep enough that it won't freeze solid, but that's just a start. Google up some info on pond construction and get some ideas. Properly built you fish will do fine in an outdoor pond.

I would stick wih Koi or Goldfish though.

MM

Answer 3

Goldfish will live through it, they adore cold water and will acclimate to the warm weather, especially if you have shade around parts of it. there are plenty of website for pond building and such. my advice is to make a budget for it, be patient and get it completely prepared before you introduce the fish and pleas please "budget" some time for maintenance, it is a time-consuming hobbie

Answer 4

you can bring the fish indoors in winter or run a pump for a fountain or waterfall to keep water flowing and it won`t freeze. The fish will adapt to temp. and you don`t have to feed them in winter,
. They live off stored fat.

Answer 5

eels, rays or sharks? no way.