Best Fish for Garden Ponds in the South

Ok you've decided you want a garden pond, they are neat and add beauty to the surrounding area. The first thing you have to do is figure out what kind and size garden pond you like to have. Different types of ponds include plastic, or half of an old wooden barrel with a plastic liner, or a concrete pond. Remember when deciding the size pond you'd like, that fish can only grow according to their environment size. Before you decide the pond size you should probably learn a little about the fish that live in them. Ponds and fish alike all come in different sizes. Keep in mind small fish can live quite well in large ponds but large fish cannot live in small ponds. Here's some information I've gathered so you know the best fish for your southern garden ponds and how to care for them.

The Banded Hifin Shark is about two and a half inches in length and has to have at least 125 gallons of water to live comfortably. You can usually find them in fish stores for about $35. I like these fish because they get along well with other fish and are pretty easy to care for as well.

The next one is known as Bitterlings and they get to be about four inches in length and looks like a carp. Bitterlings require about thirty gallons of water to feel comfortable. Bitterlings are a very shiny silver with white. The go amazingly well with Koi. You can get usually buy them for $10 each.

Lets not leave out the goldfish. While there are several types you can add to your pond, I recommend the Shubunkin. Their maximum size is about a foot long, and are very colorful. They have a wonderful temperament and easily cared for. The really need about 180 gallons to survive. They are relatively cheap at about $6.

Just about any time you see a pond full of fish you will almost always see a fish with bright red and white patches, they are the most common pond fish around. Although referred to as standard pond fish there real name is Sarasa Comet. They can also get to be about a foot or so long. They are very similar in may ways as the Shubunkin. Also needing 180 gallons and come with only a $6 price tag.

Last on the list is are the world famous Koi. Even though there is a wide variety of Koi, they all pretty much have the same needs for care. Ideally you'll need 1000 gallons of water or better to suite the Koi. They can get up to about three foot in length and are available in so many different colors. If you get them when their small you can get the pretty cheap at $6.