Minnows-and shubunkins

[MajorDan]

My new pond will be ready for fish in a few weeks. Wondering if there is some benefit for having minnows with shubunkins. My pond is about 1500 gallons.

 

[JamieB]

It’s a matter of preference as far as I know. Others may know more, as I’m no expert, but as shubinkin are goldfish, they will reproduce like crazy, giving the variety of size and activity throughout the water column that others might add minnows for. If you do add minnows, be sure to quarantine them, especially wild caught or bait shop specials.

 

[Rach]

I have shubinkin, love them, so pretty. Funnily i have never had any fry. I also have lots of sticklebacks so maybe they eat the fry!

 

[addy1]

We get fry. We have enough plant matter the eggs survive.

 

[Jhn]

Agree with what was already said. No benefit to minnows with shubunkins, just personal preference.

One of my ponds has native minnows and shubunkins in it, for me it added a little interest, along with the turtles the pond was built to house. The native minnows ( dace and Johnny darters) both have reproduced in the pond, even saw a darter up in the bog this spring.

 

[MajorDan]

Looks like I will pass on the minnows for now and see how shubunkins do. Pond has been full of water with pump running for almost 2 weeks. Weather here is still chilly so bog plants have not started growing. The water remains clear though I expect the green phase to start when I add 6 shubunkins in about a week. Hoping to get some growth on the water Lillies by then too. They are still in their original net bags so will need to be placed in the oil pan setup everyone recommends. Can hardly wait to get life started. Enjoying waterfall sounds for now.

 

[Somethin' Fishy]

Your pond is coming along nicely @MajorDan !

 

[MajorDan]

Thanks, I still have lots to do to get it looking like I dreamed but it will all come together sometime. Word is spreading in the neighborhood I have a fish pond and some are asking to donate their koi, oscars and cichlids that have outgrown their aquariums! Glad i have a fence else I fear they may just drop them off uninvited.