How to Stock a Fish Pond

If you have just installed a pond in your yard or garden, the next exciting thing you can do is to stock it with fish. Many kinds of fish thrive in ponds, and combining different types can create a beautiful display of life in your backyard pond.

The koi is a very hardy fish that thrives in outdoor environments, even during cold winters. It comes in a variety of bright, eye-catching colors and can grow to be quite large. Koi are docile and do well with other docile community fish.

Plecostomus fish are also known as "plecos" and "sucker fish" in home aquariums. They can grow to be as big as 2 feet long and are effective pond and tank cleaners. These fish get along well with koi and other non-aggressive fish. In addition to the Pleco, you can stock your pond with Siamese Algae Eaters, which are swift fish that do a lot of algae cleaning.

Different varieties of goldfish such as the black moor or the bubble eye do great in ponds with koi and other related types. The mentioned species of goldfish don't get that big, but standard goldfish can get as big as koi fish. Black Moor and Bubble-Eye fish tend to get no bigger than four inches in length. They are docile, and require docile pond-mates to avoid conflict.

In addition to stocking your pond with plecostomus fish or algae eaters, it is a good idea to stock it with other algae cleaning creatures as well. Avoid aggressive bottom feeders like crayfish, as these can attack your decorative Koi and goldfish, resulting in disfigurement or death. Good community cleaners include snails which can be purchased in many aquarium shops, and freswhater clams which scan the bottom of the pond filtering algae. Other interesting creatures include ghost shrimp, and even glass catfish.

Make sure you choose appropriate filtration for your pond. Just because it is an outdoor water habitat doesn't mean it wont require the same amount of care as a home aquarium. There are filtration systems and aeration pumps specifically designed for outdoor pond use available to consumers. Choose one that is fitting to the amount of gallons your pond holds.

Finally, adding live and artifical plants and décor around and in your pond will make it stand out and attract plenty of looks. Acquire some quartz crystals and decorate the outer edges of the pond with quartz gravel. You can opt to plant rose bushes near the pond, but plants like hydrandgeas and orchids thrive near a watery source. The water of the pond will be enriched with nutrients produced by the fish.