 | Goldfish have been kept as pets even well before 1000 AD. Originating in southern China, they are popular pond fish the world over. A diverse group, there are many varieties of this adaptable fish which makes them particularly suited to garden pond conditions. Still more, there are many other fish suited for outdoor garden ponds that will help keep populations of midge larvae and mosquitoes under control. The following article discusses which types of fish might be right for your pond and how to care and create a habitat for them that is in harmony with nature.
Hopefully you’ve considered fish as a possibility before you designed and installed your garden pond; fish require a deeper volume of water than what is usually allowed for simple ornamental pools. Unless you incorporate a very small population of fish that can be fed on the pond’s plant growth, you will also need to feed them as per their individual requirements. Some simple maintenance is usually necessary for fish to thrive in garden ponds which is why most gardeners choose goldfish which are easier than most other species to care for.
Common goldfish has a color range from pale yellows to vibrant oranges and gold to stunning reds. Often, the comet-tailed variety is selected for ponds because of its graceful form through the water. Other varieties have a more mottled appearance and may be speckled with black, white or red. There are even some blue strains due to a color pigment found deep in their skin. Also, the short fantail variety is particularly hardy though it looks rather exotic.
Fantails, of course, are the most popular of the “fancy” varieties of goldfish. Appearing with red, white or calico coloration, these beauties will due well in a garden pond so long as you keep them separate from larger varieties of pond fish like koi. It’s a good idea to feed fancy goldfish moistened food that is interspersed with commercial foods that contain bloodworm. Moistening is necessary to drive out any air that could cause the fish to swell and consequently lose their balance. These fancies will due just fine outdoors so long as the temperature does not fall below 55 degrees F.
Koi originated in Asia as well and are a colored ornamental carp. Koi are extremely popular pond fish because of their striking colors, large size and general tameness. Keep in mind that while goldfish tend to stop growing in order to adapt to the area of their surroundings, koi do not; they simply keep growing. For this reason, it is important to give them enough room with deeper water (about fifty inches at the pond’s center).
Koi do require more thought and care than goldfish. For instance, they are hearty eaters and will devour your soft leave plants and the pond bottom’s detritus. You will certainly have to plan to filter your koi-filled pond and feed them high quality food in order for them to thrive. Also, koi that are healthy and well cared for can live between twenty and fifty years old, so consider them for a long-term commitment. On the other hand, koi work quite well with most other pond fish and are absolutely lovely to see in any garden pond.
Other fish may be well suited to a garden pond. The rosy minnow is a rosy shade or orange that needs water that is extremely well oxygenated. The three-spined stickleback is sometimes chosen for garden ponds that do not include larger varieties of fish (these grow about three inches)—but they are probably better suited to a wildlife pond. Coldwater catfish will come to the surface to eat and are pleasant to look at with their profusion of whiskers; keep in mind that they may not allow smaller varieties of fish to rest easily (though very tiny fish will most likely rest in peace around these guys).
Just do your homework before introducing fish to your pond. Depth of water is probably the most important element to consider. It’s also a good idea not to introduce any fish to your pond until it has been established for a good month—allow it to become oxygen-rich first. Also, not too many fish at first; it’s a good idea to add fish in stages. See how a few fish do and go from there. Finally, learn each fish species ideal requirements for feeding and be sure they will adapt in a friendly manner to other fish species you may already have.
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