Fish besides Goldfish

[RichGuess]

About to get my new pond going, and Ive got a smaller pond raising the new occupants. I’ve got about 20 feeder goldfish that are about 2 1/2” long now ready to move in to their new digs.. my question is, what other fish species can live in my pond ? I live in southern california, in basically a desert area. The pond will be somewhat sheltered, temps should not exceed 85 degrees in full summer, and 60 degrees in full winter. It’s a 800 gallon stock tank, with only 24” of depth.. I have a few minnows in another 150 gallon “plant tank” to keep out mosquitoes, and they seem to do OK, but they’re pretty plain looking…. Are all goldfish hardy, or do the pretty one’s not do as well ?

Thanks, Rich…

 

[j.w]

About to get my new pond going, and Ive got a smaller pond raising the new occupants. I’ve got about 20 feeder goldfish that are about 2 1/2” long now ready to move in to their new digs.. my question is, what other fish species can live in my pond ? I live in southern california, in basically a desert area. The pond will be somewhat sheltered, temps should not exceed 85 degrees in full summer, and 60 degrees in full winter. It’s a 800 gallon stock tank, with only 24” of depth.. I have a few minnows in another 150 gallon “plant tank” to keep out mosquitoes, and they seem to do OK, but they’re pretty plain looking…. Are all goldfish hardy, or do the pretty one’s not do as well ?

Thanks, Rich…

You may have already overdone your limit on the goldfish as they can get up to 12 to 14" and breed and make more. Hope you have friends w/ponds that will need some fish. If you would have asked before you got these fish I would have said to get Shubunkin goldfish as they kinda look like koi only smaller. I think where you live any kind of goldfish, even the fancy ones will like outside. Hope you have a good hard working filter!

 

[jgrandmont]

Agree with j.w. Shubunkins are great. You might also consider sarassa goldfish. They are not quite as colorful as shubunkins, but also nice with white and red-orange coloring. Both shubunkins and sarassas are very hardy and will overwinter without problem.

 

[GBBUDD]

About to get my new pond going, and Ive got a smaller pond raising the new occupants. I’ve got about 20 feeder goldfish that are about 2 1/2” long now ready to move in to their new digs.. my question is, what other fish species can live in my pond ? I live in southern california, in basically a desert area. The pond will be somewhat sheltered, temps should not exceed 85 degrees in full summer, and 60 degrees in full winter. It’s a 800 gallon stock tank, with only 24” of depth.. I have a few minnows in another 150 gallon “plant tank” to keep out mosquitoes, and they seem to do OK, but they’re pretty plain looking…. Are all goldfish hardy, or do the pretty one’s not do as well ?

Thanks, Rich…

in 9a you have some incredible options most of us do not. I'D LOOK AT A COUPLE FLOWER HORNS or a hole host of other amazing fish . in the winter drop a heater in the pond to give them an area that stays nice and warm on those cold days . your undercover so herons shouldn't be an issue

 

[WaterGardener]

Be careful of the number of fish you add. The rule of thumb for a pond is 50 gallons for each goldfish. They grow quickly, get large and produce a lot of waste. They also breed and reproduce more than rabbits.

Can you return some or all of your feeder fish and select others if you want different fish? You already have too many.

 

[BenB]

Be careful of the number of fish you add. The rule of thumb for a pond is 50 gallons for each goldfish. They grow quickly, get large and produce a lot of waste. They also breed and reproduce more than rabbits.

Can you return some or all of your feeder fish and select others if you want different fish? You already have too many.

50 gallons for each goldfish? LOL! My 300 gallon pond has at least 30 goldfish in it and 15 Koi. When they outgrow the pond, I trade or sell them off.

 

[WaterGardener]

You must have a lot of filtration to keep them healthy. But yes, the number is 50 gallons if you intend to keep the fish and have a healthy system.

I don't make the rules, only share what is commonly thought to be the best for the fish and pond. It doesn't mean you can't break those rules if you make adjustments and do things differently.

 

[RichGuess]

Thanks Everyone,
I think I’m OK, I was following the idea that goldfish only need between 20-30 gallons each.. Thinking along those lines, my 700 gal pond should support 23 - 35 fish.. I’m at 20 currently.. I also bought pump and filter rated at 2500gph, so I’ll be running the whole volume through the filter 3 times an hour.. And, I didn’t forget aeration, I bought a pretty good sized aerator too..

Rich…

 

[j.w]

Thanks Everyone,
I think I’m OK, I was following the idea that goldfish only need between 20-30 gallons each.. Thinking along those lines, my 700 gal pond should support 23 - 35 fish.. I’m at 20 currently.. I also bought pump and filter rated at 2500gph, so I’ll be running the whole volume through the filter 3 times an hour.. And, I didn’t forget aeration, I bought a pretty good sized aerator too..

Rich…

You might do ok w/them, just a wait and see how quick the water gets too mucky if it even does. That is a lot of filter and pump power so it may be fine.

 

[Lisak1]

50 gallons for each goldfish? LOL! My 300 gallon pond has at least 30 goldfish in it and 15 Koi.

That has to be a typo a 15 koi in 300 gallons?

 

[BenB]

That has to be a typo a 15 koi in 300 gallons?

No, it's not a typo.

 

[GBBUDD]

-that's absolutely insane