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Keeping Pond Fish

Key Areas for Pond Fish Care

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1. Pond Size and Depth

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  • Fish Space: Larger fish, like Koi, need more room—about 8-10 square feet of surface area per adult fish. Goldfish require less surface area.

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  • Depth: While Goldfish tolerate 12-18 inches, Koi prefer depths over 36 inches somewhere in the pond. Ponds must not freeze solid.

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  • Oxygenation: Surface area is critical for oxygen absorption. Water movement (like from waterfalls or air stones) aids this process.

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  • Predator Protection: Steep sides help deter predators like herons. Better filtration allows for more fish but requires more maintenance.

 

2. Water Chemistry & The Nitrogen Cycle (Most Important)

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  • Testing: Regularly use a water testing kit to monitor chemistry.

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  • Municipal Water: City water often contains chlorine and chloramines harmful to fish; treat it with fish-safe products before adding fish.

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  • Nitrogen Cycle: This is vital:

    1. New fish add toxic ammonia.

    2. Bacteria (in filters, etc.) consume ammonia and release equally toxic nitrites.

    3. A second type of bacteria consumes nitrites, releasing nitrates, which are much less toxic and consumed by plants/algae.

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  • Cycling: Allow the pond to run for several days before adding fish. Introduce fish slowly (1-2 small fish per week); the full cycle can take weeks to months. A stable pond has zero ammonia and nitrite.

 

3. Fish Feeding

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  • Overfeeding is a common mistake.

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  • Summer (Water above 65F): Feed small amounts once to three times daily; they should eat the food within 2 minutes.

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  • Mild Temperatures (50-65F): Feed once daily in smaller amounts.

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  • Winter (Below 50F): Never feed outdoor fish when water temperatures are below 50F, as digestion shuts down. They will be fine without food for months. Do not feed human food.

 

4. Illness and Parasites

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  • Good care (stable water, proper feeding) minimizes disease.

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  • Check fish daily for signs like refusal to eat, open sores, white patches, deformities, or abnormal behavior.

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  • When adding new fish or doing water changes, use pond salt (to protect from hazards) and Stress Coat (to help build the protective slime coating).

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  • If you suspect illness, seek expert assistance for diagnosis and treatment.

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