Pond Fish: The Heart and Soul of Any Pool
Water means life. Whether it is the ocean, a pond, a river or a swamp, water means oxygen, and oxygen means evolution. Fish vary across the world and across environments. Salt-water fish are vastly different from fresh-water fish, and some fish can only be found on certain continents. Different fish have different needs, from temperature and depth to food and seasons.
For the homeowner planning a backyard garden pool, fish education is an important step of the process. While not every pond will have fish, those that do need to be built according to the type of fish that will populate the water. Pond fish are fragile animals, and if the right fish is not placed in the right pond, it can easily die. Pond fish are part of a complete ecosystem, a small-scale society composed of fish, bacteria, molecules and plants. Fish depend on plants, plants depend on fish, and everything depends on healthy, appropriate water.
From the Bottom Up
Pond fish, like plants, are natural filters. While plants primarily oxygenate the water, fish help to keep the water healthy by filtering out bacteria and other unwanted organisms. However, pond fish should be introduced to any pond in stages; a sudden influx of fish can throw off the ecosystem, resulting in the death of both fish and plants, and eventually the pond itself. Every homeowner must research the best option for his or her pond before purchasing fish. There are a lot of fish to choose from, and the food chain especially is important to understand. Some of the most popular pond fish are goldfish and Koi, as these fish are both colorful but also easy to maintain.
There are six main things that must be considered when deciding on pond fish. Firstly, speed is important; Koi are much slower swimmers than goldfish, meaning they will contribute a more relaxed atmosphere to the pond. As stated above, both goldfish and Koi are colorful fish, meaning they are easily visible underneath the water. However, depending on the bottom of the pool, different pond fish with different markings may be a better choice.
The vegetation within the pond is important as well; Koi eat plants, while goldfish do not. Koi are also larger than goldfish, meaning a Koi pond needs to be larger than a goldfish pond. If the pond has a pump, more fish can be added due to the heightened level of oxygen. This is important, as overstocking fish can kill the pond. Lastly, timing is important. Pond fish should only be added to a pond when the water temperature is high; although both Koi and goldfish can endure cold water, a sudden cold shock can be fatal.
