One of the most important considerations when designing a small backyard pond is the type of fish you plan to stock in it. After all, if you’re not going to be keeping any big fish, you don’t have to spend hours on research to find out what fish would best suite your climate and lifestyle. The most popular types of fish for garden ponds are small crappie and goldfish, but there are many more varieties that can do well in small ponds. Take a look at some suggestions below before you start your search.
Although these fish may sound like they would be good candidates for a small backyard pond, frog fish tend to be a little too aggressive and prone to nuisance fish poop. They can also become snagged on other smaller fish or structures, making them difficult to keep controlled. For these reasons, frog fish are better suited to larger lakes or ponds where their aggressive tendencies won’t pose a problem. There are some very beautiful varieties of lake trout available for purchase, and many will do well as community fish in your small backyard pond.
One very attractive option for an artificial pond is a fountain. Water fountains, particularly those that use natural water sources like rainwater or spring water, can provide tranquility and beauty to your pond. These water features will usually require a pump to run, and they are much less reliable than biological pond filters, so they will not be as effective in the long run. Still, they are an attractive and convenient option for water features.
Some people use live plants in their backyard pond, but keep in mind that these plants can also compete with the fish for food and oxygen. If you decide to put live plants in your pond, you should consider whether or not you want to attract predatory fish to your water garden. Some common plants that do not feed on fish include Java Moss, Java Fern, Spider Mite, Water lettuce and Water Hyacinth. Although some of these plants are very useful to having an oxygenating effect, they will also attract smaller water bugs and snails that may be detrimental to other fish. So if you choose to use live plants in your water garden, you may want to put some netting over them to prevent any of these water creatures from getting to them.
The best fish for small backyard ponds are hardy species that will live in water that does not have too much pollution in it. Koi and silverfish are both good fish for this type of pond. Since Koi are naturally friendly towards humans, you won’t have to worry about harming them when you introduce them into your pond.
Small ponds need to have the proper pond filters in order to keep them clean and healthy. Most people will opt for a water filter at the end of their filtration system. You should think about the size of your pond as well as the volume of water that it can hold before you purchase a water garden pump. Pumps can work on any size pond, but you may need to use stronger water pumps if your pond is much larger than other small backyards.
If you are looking to incorporate a water garden pump at a later date, then you will want to purchase pond filters that can handle the extra workload. Some pond filters work by filtering out nitrates and nitrites. Other filters will also remove organic substances from the water as well as microorganisms.
In most instances, the best fish for small backyard ponds will be those that are native to your area and have adapted to local conditions. They will also be those that are easy to find, since many pet stores carry them in stock. However, if you don’t have any local species in mind, then consider researching the various options online and looking for the perfect fish for your pond.