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Fish are an intergral part of any ecosystem and contrary to popular belief, fish will actually reduce pond maintenance. However, overstocking and overfeeding pond fish is a serious, common mistake.

Fish love “crowds” but your pond's water quality can not be sustained if the population is too dense. Overstocking creates water quality issues causing the ammonia in the pond to go up.

All fish have a certain level of parasites; likewise, all water gardens have a certain level of bad bacteria – this is normal and both have their respective functions. However, Ammonia Nitrates can throw these levels off and affect your ponds balance and the health of your pond fish. Ammonia spikes can burn the gills of your fish and kill them. Ammonia Nitrates also promote the growth of string algae (see Water Garden Maintenance). A healthy water garden has approximately one inch of fish for every 10 gallons of pond water (120 inches = 1200 gallons); assume your fish's maximum size when calculating.

Lower temperatures decrease the metabolic rate of fish. When your pond water reaches a temperature of 50 degrees or lower, then stop feeding your pond fish until the temperature returns. Goldfish and plecostomus do not need to be fed; goldfish, plecostomus (and Koi) will eat the algae in your pond and help to complete the ecosystem. By feeding goldfish (or plecostomus) you are essentially removing them from the ecosystem and throwing it off balance. Customers who do this are no doubt purchasing algae products that they would otherwise not have to. Plecostomus is a great bottom feeder!

Koi need to be fed, and if you feed your Koi from a consistent location your Koi can be conditioned to be rather friendly! If you purchase Koi for your pond (see below), * feed them every other day for about 2-3 minutes, then stop. Do not feed them everyday! Avoid corn meal in your Koi food, and instead seek “fish meal” or other fish protein as the first ingredient on the label; the protein content should be between 35-40%. Color enhancers are also good ( spirulina, canthaxanthin ), and a stabilized Vitamin C is crucial. If you leave for vacation Koi will help the other fish nibble on the algae and both will work to give you a maintenance free water garden!

 

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