Ornamental Fish Production and Management (1+1)

12.1.7 Stocking of ponds with fish

A smaller range of fish are generally kept in a garden pond than in an indoor aquarium and these fish are often limited to specifically ornamental varieties that are brightly coloured and easily visible. Some of the more unusual and long-finned varieties of goldfish are, however, a little delicate to be left in the pond throughout the year and may develop fin problems in cool weather. Other types of fish such as those native to the UK, Europe and North America may be kept in a garden pond but are less distinctively marked and therefore less easily seen and appreciated. Salmonoid fish such as trout do not usually fare particularly well in a garden pond, where temperatures may get too high and dissolved oxygen levels too low. Naturally predatory species (pike, perch and coldwater catfish) should be avoided they will be rarely seen and will grow and feed on the other fish. Certain species of tropical freshwater fish can be kept in a garden pond during the warmer months.