We;re going to make a small, upground sotne pond on our patio soon. It'll be about 6 by 4 feet or so and a foot or two deep. It's going to be in the shade for the most part with a good filter. I'm wondering what kind of fish would thrive best in this environment?
2007-06-15 09:36:49 · 5 answers · asked by AyK 4 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Well probably not a reptile, but Koi are a good pond fish! and we had 5 in a smaller pond then that. They are simple little fish... Well they can get big but they wont grow any more then the pond will let them. hee hee. Here is some info on them http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi
2007-06-15 09:45:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on where you live, fish may not be able to live outdoors year-round. If it gets cold enough for snow or for ice to form, the pond should be at least 18" deep to prevent it from freezing all the way to the bottom.
If you're from a seasonal climate where the water temperature would fall below 65o, goldifish or rosy red minnows (sold as feeder fish) would be good. I personally like the shubunkin goldfish because their colored more like koi, but stay smaller (a koi can grow 3+ feet). See photo of some mixed shubunkins: http://www.koi-in-siegen.de/images/shubunkin5.jpg , http://www.pondliner.com/images/06GFShubunkinD.JPG ) and rosy reds: http://www.fishpondinfo.com/rosyred1.jpg. The shubunkin will get around 10-12", the rosy reds only about 3".
If where you live the water temperature will stay over 75 year round, you can consider putting in tropical fish.
Native fish (bluegill, sunfish, minnows, bass) are another option, but you'll need to check what regulations there are in your area to do this.
2007-06-15 10:10:22 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You absolutely can't go wrong with goldfish. They can get very big, and live a very long time.
My parents have trout sized goldfish in their pond, the bring them inside in the winter and keep them in a kiddie pool in the basement with a UV light. The fish are almost ten years old.
2007-06-15 09:45:52 · answer #3 · answered by Aryna G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
goldfish. Cheap, easy to care for, varied colors (somewhat).
Plus, when you first get the pond going, it will not have all the biologicals needed to keep fish alive. The goldfish will cycle it, so expect them to die off at first.
2007-06-15 09:42:00 · answer #4 · answered by hummi22689 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Goldfish are the best , but as the first answer said expect them to die off ONLY at first.
2007-06-15 09:58:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋