There is a multitude of fish species that can thrive in a fish pond. Ranging from goldfish to sturgeon to koi carps, your options are endless. So, which types of fish are best for your individual needs?
When making your decision, you should consider the qualities of various fish types. For instance, some dig the bottom of the pond, others eat plants, and some are nearly invisible due to their camouflage, while still others propagate rapidly and continually. However, you can bring these different types of fish together in your pond for a thriving ecosystem.
Surface Fish
Surface fish are those which search for feed at a pond’s surface rather than on the bottom. This is beneficial for your fish pond, as they are less likely to make a mess of your pond by digging and you are more likely to see them on a daily basis. However, keep in mind that surface fish often require additional protection against the threat of predators like cats, herons and osprey.
Attention-Grabbing Fish Species
When people first think of fish ponds, many think about eye-catching species like koi for good reason. Attention-grabbing fish species present unique benefits in a personal or farm pond, as they help you to better enjoy the aesthetic aspects of your pond since they are so easy to spot.
However, fish in natural water typically have camouflage to protect them against the aforementioned predators, so you will need to apply protective measures to your pond to keep these attention-grabbing species safe and thriving.
Rapidly Propagating Fish Species
Keep in mind that your pond can only accommodate a limited number of fish before altering the biological cycles of these animals. If there are too many fish in your pond, or if your fish grow too large, your pond plants and filter will be unable to cope with the number of waste materials, causing the pond to appear turbid. For this reason, it is essential to select fish that do not grow too large or spawn hundreds of young fish annually.
