Fish For A Natural Pond??

[sapphos]

I recently obtained a piece of land with a couple natural ponds that I would like to stock. I am having trouble determining what fish will survive here. The area is zone 6B but I don't know what that means for the water temperature. The ponds are quite large (roughly 15' by 30') with an average depth of 2'-3'. It does seem to get cold but there were was a goldfish population added some 20 years ago and has survived the winters so it can't be that inhospitable. I am interested in adding mosquitofish, killifish, orfe, and sturgeon (like one, I am aware of how large they get). I am open to any suggestions. Has anyone had any success with other fish?

 

[bruh]

My aunt has a similar situation. She's always had luck with koI and goldfish.

 

[sapphos]

Thank you for the reply but I forgot to add that I am interested in about anything other that goldfish and koi. I love them but I have already added more goldfish (for genetic diversity) but now I would like so variety if at all possible.

 

[bruh]

Okay. Mabye a surgeon would work. You could also add sunfish, bass, other kinds of carp (state legality does apply) or some cold water sucker fish. Mabye even minnows.

 

[Fishoholic23]

People have had luck with over-wintering whiteclouds. Maybe those?

 

[Kyleena696]

Where are you located? Are you even allowed to just throw anything into a natural pond?

I only ask because I was in an environmental management class last semester and I had no idea the laws regarding wildlife are so strict here. Specifically ones involving any sort of wetland or introduction of species. I know I'll be reading tons of Acts and other pieces of legislation when I can finally have a pond just to make sure I'm not going to get myself in trouble.

 

[chromedome52]

NO STURGEON. Not a pond fish, ever. Most species are riverine and require current, with a couple of species living in big lakes. Those get extremely large, like 9-10 feet, maybe more.

Find out what species of Sunfish are native to your area. Pumpkinseed, Long Ears, and a couple of other species are quite colorful, but try to stay with something local.

Mosquitofish will survive anything that the Goldfish will survive. Neither one should be kept in a pond that is connected or even close to natural creeks or streams. Even a runoff from a pond to a stream is a hazard for accidental release.

 

[Milliemae124]

I am hoping to set up a small pond in my garden with some gold cloud mountain minnows. I have heard they do well in cold water

 

[fishaholic87]

white cloud mountain minnows can go down to 40 degrees depending on were you live

 

[capecodder]

Catfish are tough as nails or they're know as hornpout...sunfish, perch, bass...all should do okay

 

[Lynn78too]

The pond is only 2 to 3 feet deep? I agree, that sounds more like marshland or retention areas. If it's deeper, I would suggest bluegills but if it's only 2'-3' deep I can't think of too many that will be able to survive drought conditions.