Cold Water Fish Suitable For Outdoor Ponds
A pond is a great addition to any house. Especially if you add some fish to the pond. When fish are kept in a pond, they are not only more active and happy, but the overall look is also better. The fish don’t feel captivated therefore they can be seen freely roaming around in the tank. Therefore, it is a sight to see.
Generally, maintaining a pond is pretty simple and easy. However, if you live in a region which is cold, you will have to be careful when selecting fish for your pond. Mostly, all types of fish tend to do well in a pond, but in case of severely cold weather, one has to be considerate and wise when selecting fish. The fish chosen should be hardy and adaptable so they can easily adapt to the winter weather.
We have compiled a list of the top nine fish that will do wonderfully in a pond even during the winter season:
Medaka (Japanese Rice Fish):
Medaka a popular aquarium fish which is also known as the Japanese Rice Fish and Japanese Killfish is a great choice for outdoor ponds. These are small sized fish that are popular due to their attractive and bright colors. They are mostly found in a semi-transparent orange or golden color that is paired with blue eyes.
These are very hard fish therefore they are commonly found in aquarium tanks. However, one thing that not people are aware of is the fact that they are an excellent choice for outdoor ponds as well. They are very tolerant when it comes to temperature change therefore can easily survive in an outdoor pond. They prefer cold water and do well as long as the temperature of the water remains within sixty four to seventy five degrees Fahrenheit. Another reason why they tend to do well in ponds is because they love to move around freely. People generally assume that a small tank should be enough for them but the more space they get to roam about, the happier they are.
Since the Japanese Rice Fish likes to live in groups, therefore they are an optimal choice for community ponds. They can be kept within a school of Medaka fish or placed with fish of other species as well. Generally, it is recommended that four to six Japanese Rice Fish should share a pond so they feel secure and safe.
Rosy Barb:
With a lifespan of around five years and an average size of nearly three inches, Rosy Barbs are a perfect choice for outdoor ponds. These fish are native to the Asian continent and since their natural habitat is free flowing water, they can easily be found in ponds and lakes etc. Since these are schooling fish, they have to be kept in a group of at least six Rosy Barbs, otherwise they tend to get aggressive. However, if given ample space like that in a pond and kept in a group with fish of their own kind, they remain calm and seldom cause trouble.
Rosy Barb fish are not that demanding in terms of requirements. They are tolerant towards temperature change and can happily survive within a temperature range of sixty four to seventy five degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal pH level for a pond with Rosy Barbs is around six to eight. If the pH level drops below six, these fish tend to spawn. By nature, they are omnivores and love to be fed insects, larvae, small worms and even plants.
One of the reasons why people prefer to add Rosy Barbs to their ponds is because they are generally great community fish. When kept with small sized fish and in a group of at least six, they tend to get along well with their mates. However, they do need a lot of space to swim around. Otherwise they can nip the fins of fellow fish. Since there is ample room in ponds, they are highly recommended as outdoor pond fish.
Paradise Fish:
Paradise Fish is a type of Gourami fish therefore it is also known as Paradise Gourami. People avoid adding them to aquarium tanks due to their aggressive nature. But since there is plenty of space for them to swim around in a pond, they tend to do well in outdoor ponds and are easily manageable. These fish are easily available in pet stores like petfish.com.au and if cared for properly, can last for eight to ten years with ease.
Although the behavior of the paradise fish may vary, generally these are social and very active fish that love to swim around and make their presence known in a pond. The male paradise fish are more aggressive as compared to the females but this behavior is mostly exhibited during the breeding season. The males compete for females and may end up getting in a fight, but otherwise, it is a peaceful fish that does not cause much trouble.
As long as the temperature remains within seventy to eighty four degrees Fahrenheit, these fish will remain happy and will be able to cope up. The water hardness should be maintained within five to thirty dH and the pH of the water should be slightly alkaline.
White Cloud:
The White Cloud fish is a colorful and attractive fish that belongs to China. It is a great choice for outdoor ponds as it is easy to care for and has a very peaceful temperament. These factors make it a great choice for beginner level pond keepers. It is comparatively smaller in size and can grow up to a length of one point five inches and can live up to five to seven years with ease.
The White Cloud comes from the Cyprinidae fish family. Other than the mating season, these fish like to mind their own business and do not cause any chaos in the pond. Due to their social nature, they like to live in shoals and can also be seen roaming around and feeding in groups. They usually like to swim in the mid level of the pond and therefore can be seen exhibiting their beautiful colors. They like to live in groups therefore they need ample space to swim around. In a small sized pond, one can easily accommodate a group of around five to ten White Cloud fish.
These fish are very attractive and a pleasant sight to look at. They have triangular dorsal and ventral fins. From afar, these fish give the appearance of a dart. They like to live in slightly acidic water bodies and the ideal temperature range for the White Cloud fish is between sixty four to seventy two degrees Fahrenheit. But these fish are very hardy and can easily survive even if the temperature drops down to around forty one degrees Fahrenheit.
American Flag Fish:
American Flag Fish is also a highly recommended fish for outdoor pond keepers. It is a very attractive fish that is naturally found in lakes and swamps. Therefore, it can easily adapt to the environment of a pond. It is not only great as it can be kept with other varieties of fish but is also very hardy and convenient to care for as it does not have any specific requirements.
The American Flag Fish is an algae eater. Therefore, adding it to any pond means that the pond owner will never be dealing with algae bloom in their tanks. These fish can grow up to a size of two point five inches and will stay happy as long as the water temperature in the pond remains within sixty four to eighty five degrees Fahrenheit.
An American Flag Fish can be kept by itself and can also be added to a community pond along with other fish species. A very small pond would be enough for a pair of American Flag Fish but in case you wish to add six or more fish to your pond, it is recommended that you extend the size of the pond. The American Flag Fish is compatible with all peaceful temperament fish but the combination of American Flag Fish with Neon Tetras is amazing and is highly recommended.
Conclusion:
Other than these fish, koi and goldfish also tend to do very well in outdoor ponds. These fish are not only attractive and aesthetic but are easy to care for as well. The goldfish specially come in a diverse range of species and colors so there are plenty of options to choose from.
Although these fish are tolerant and adapt to temperature changes very easily, it is still recommended that you keep an eye on the temperature of the pond. If you feel that the temperature is fluctuating a lot, it is better to keep an eye on the fish in the ponds and bring them inside if they show any signs of discomfort or uneasiness. Most of the fish that have been mentioned in this article are hardy and can be easily cared for. Plus, these are easily available and can be found at https://www.petfish.com.au/ with ease.
