Goldfish Pond

[Kasye]

Just wanted to show off some pictures of my goldfish pond. There are a ton of goldfish in it. We started out with a handful of the cheap "feeder fish" goldfish from PetCo, and here it is about 4 years and quite a few generations later.

The pond is also covered in anacharis. We're constantly throwing TONS of it out just to be able to see the fish! The pond and the anacharis were already here when we bought this house, all it needed was fish.

 

[Kasye]

Also, my dog loves to drink out of the pond, and the fish aren't afraid of him one bit!

 

[BornThisWayBettas]

Wow, it looks great! I'd love to have a pond someday, but they seem so expensive haha! Cute dog btw, Rottweiler?

 

[Kasye]

Oh yeah, I'd think so too! I was so happy to see it already here when we moved in!

And yep, he's a big rottie baby!

 

[NCE12940]

Beautiful! Looks like the fish are trying to eat the Rottie's tongue

 

[BornThisWayBettas]

Lol.

 

[Ayushman Singh]

Awesome pond

Sent from my GT-I9082 using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

 

[BottomDweller]

We are building a new pond (around 1600 gallons) that my single tail goldfish are going in so I will have an empty pond. It's roughly 150 gallons but I will measure it tomorrow. I know a reasonable amount about goldfish and breed single tails but I've never kept fancies

So my questions are
Can fancy goldfish over winter in ponds under ice?
Are there some types that are better under ice than others?
What types would you recommend?
How many?

Thanks

 

[TexasDomer]

What's the lowest temp is would get? How deep is the pond? Could you get a de-icer?

CindiL

 

[CindiL]

Fancies are definitely not as hardy as your commons, I think the only type I would try would be fantails, the other varieties are just too encumbered with issues, either poor eye sight, too slow, prime for predators. Fantails are very fast, have spectacular eye sight and might be ok. I don't think I'd do it without a pond de-icer though because the lowest the deepest area of your water should be is about 40 degrees which will work with a de-icer.

How low is your coldest nights? It got to about negative 5 here last night where I live yet the pond about 6-8 inches down is at 33 which means that down at the bottom it would be warmer.

I use this one:

 

[BottomDweller]

I will have to find out the lowest temperature. When there is ice it is never more than half an inch. The pond is slightly more than 2 feet deep. I could get a de-icer.

I asked because I feel the pond isn't big enough for adult single tailed goldfish but if fancies can't be kept in it then I'll just use it for growing young goldfish.

Thank you for the replies

 

[BottomDweller]

The pond is about 85cm by 120cm and 70 cm deep. About 190 gallons

Still unsure about temp. We only really get ice for a week or 2 in winter and it ever stays for the whole day.

If I got a de-icer could I have fantails? If so how many? Any other fancy goldfish that could work?

Thanks again

 

[CindiL]

I think fantails would work but I wouldn't try the others, Fantails are gorgeous fish and you can get them in many color combinations.

 

[BottomDweller]

So I've heard 20 gallons for the first fancy then 10 for each additional one so would 18 fancies be okay? More? Less? I've also heard 20 gallons per fancy so 9?

Thanks for the advice

 

[CindiL]

Honestly, I would do 9-10 maximum, more like 20 gallon per fish, even fancies though not long get to be baseball sized and can easily be 8 inches including their tails. See how they do and don't forget they have a huge bio-load just like commons. It will need to be cycled like any other tank so start with 3-4, and slowly add in more every couple of weeks as the bio-filter can handle it.

 

[BottomDweller]

Honestly, I would do 9-10 maximum, more like 20 gallon per fish, even fancies though not long get to be baseball sized and can easily be 8 inches including their tails. See how they do and don't forget they have a huge bio-load just like commons. It will need to be cycled like any other tank so start with 3-4, and slowly add in more every couple of weeks as the bio-filter can handle it.

Okay so is 5 a good number?

Yep it is already cycled though because it currently has a few young shubunkins that are going in the 1600 gallon pond in spring

 

[CindiL]

Oh, that's good. Yeah 5-7 is great.

 

[BottomDweller]

Thanks for all the help

Has anyone got any experiences with or stories about keeping fancy goldfish in ponds?

 

[BottomDweller]

Would Western mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis) work with them?

 

[TexasDomer]

Those should be okay with them in a pond! Smaller fish might be eaten.

 

[BottomDweller]

Thanks. By smaller fish do you mean the mosquito fish or the goldfish?

 

[CindiL]

Goldies will eat anything they can fit into their mouths including other fish so just keep that in mind

 

[BottomDweller]

So 7 fantail goldfish and 10 (?) Western mosquito fish? Is that good stocking? Are there any other smallish pond fish that would do well in my pond with/instead of the ones in the current stocking plan?

Thank you so much for the help

 

[TexasDomer]

You could do many more mosquitofish, and they'll quickly breed and fill your tank. Wildlife will help keep their populations in check.

 

[BottomDweller]

What do think the maximum number of mosquitofish could be in this size pond with 7 fantail goldfish would be?

 

[TexasDomer]

Maybe start with 15-20? They'll breed and fill it, so after second thought, I wouldn't start with a lot more.

 

[Discus-Tang]

Okay so on the weekend I'm sending off a proposal to the council about getting permission to build a goldfish pond at our community garden. I want to put my goldfish, rescues and pest goldfish in it.

This is because we have a native wetland at our community garden, though every year it is overrun with pet goldfish. They scoop them all out and 'neutralise' them at the end of each year.

My plan is instead of life being wasted, I build a community pond for the fish that would otherwise be killed.

It would also put a stop to people dumping their goldfish in the wetlands and instead bring them to me. They would have to pass a quarantine phase though.

The pond would be really big (1000+ gallons) so that I can take in as many goldfish as possible.

I'll keep you all updated. I just really wanted to share because I'm very excited!

 

[Smalltownfishfriend]

Awesome!!! Can't wait to hear how it goes!!

 

[Discus-Tang]

Awesome!!! Can't wait to hear how it goes!!

Thanks! I suspect the shell and finish of the pond will be done in mid 2019 or later, assuming I get permission.

 

[emmysjj]

This is so cool!

 

[maggie thecat]

That's admirable, but keep in mind that goldfish require 50 gallons per fish. 1000 gallons is going to be at capacity in short order. Even before they start to spawn.

 

[Discus-Tang]

That's admirable, but keep in mind that goldfish require 50 gallons per fish. 1000 gallons is going to be at capacity in short order. Even before they start to spawn.

Considering most of the fish I'm getting are fantails, it will be only 35 for the first one, 25 fore each subsequent one. 75 per common.

I also mentioned that it would be 1000 gallons or more, so 1000 is really the bare minimum.

 

[Shoryuken_Shubunkin]

So I want to build a goldfish pond, but I can't find any consistent information on what kind of filtration I need or the size of the pond. I live in Jacksonville Florida where it gets really hot in the summer and in the lower 30's in the winter so I want to make sure I build it in the right place with adequate shade in the summer and so it catches the sun in the winter. I was wanting at least 4 shubunkin and two wakin and at least three fancies like ryukin and veiltails. Does anyone know how to help me?

 

[OneLittleBubble]

That's gonna be a big pond. The commons are baically smaller versions of koi so you will need lots of space

 

[Shoryuken_Shubunkin]

That's gonna be a big pond. The commons are baically smaller versions of koi so you will need lots of space

do you know the approximate amount of gallons I'll need?

 

[maggie thecat]

Best rule of thumb is 50 gallons per fish. More is better, of course. You want a pump that will turn the water over several times an hour, so rated for at least 3 times your water volume.

Some of your aeration / filtration will come from plants. Hornwort and anacharis on the bottom. Jungle val in pots is good too. Water lilies and other potted plants, and then floating plants for shade.

Be aware that goldfish are rough on floating plants, they eat the roots off. Fortunately, they make enclosed planters (or you can make your own if you want to economize.)

 

[Shoryuken_Shubunkin]

Best rule of thumb is 50 gallons per fish. More is better, of course. You want a pump that will turn the water over several times an hour, so rated for at least 3 times your water volume.

Some of your aeration / filtration will come from plants. Hornwort and anacharis on the bottom. Jungle val in pots is good too. Water lilies and other potted plants, and then floating plants for shade.

Be aware that goldfish are rough on floating plants, they eat the roots off. Fortunately, they make enclosed planters (or you can make your own if you want to economize.)

So about 450+ gallon pond with plants, would they be okay in the winter?

 

[aussieJJDude]

I'd suggest something in the 500g range, but certainly more is better IMO. If you can, build a lot bigger as its common to get fry so plan a bit ahead now... unless you get all males/females.

For filtration, it really just depends on preferences and cost. Some great filters seem to be bog filters and external box filters. The best thing ks whatever you choose, pick a good pump and also consider how much maintenance you want and overall aesthetics. If you can, an integral drain will help remove waste on the bottom.


Id also reccomend not only going wide/long, but either consider having it heavily planted, hiding places and/or deep to give the fish some cooler areas to escape the heat if needed.

 

[maggie thecat]

They should be. Goldfish are coldwater fish, and they sort of hibernate in the winter.

I am in zone 7, it gets to 0 and occassionally minus 5 in the winter. I put a pond deicer in mine, just to be on the safe side, but it was purely a precaution .

 

[Mom2some]

There is a sub forum on Fishlore dedicated to ponds - you might find some good info there. As far as goldfish info - isn’t there a concern about fancy goldfish being able to get food if kept with regular goldfish?

 

[OneLittleBubble]

Fancies shouldn't be with single tail/slI'm bodied goldfish the slI'm bodied ones will get to the food first and they also love to chase the fancies around. Its not a good idea just get one or the other you can't have both without problems.

 

[Goldiemom]

Actually, fancies are too delicate for ponds and are not pond fish. I have comets, commons. And Shubunkins in mine. Fancies are solely aquarium fish.

 

[aussieJJDude]

Actually, fancies are too delicate for ponds and are not pond fish. I have comets, commons. And Shubunkins in mine. Fancies are solely aquarium fish.

Having fancies in a pond, I get what your saying. The vast majority of fancies don't do well, but the fantails, rykins, orandas and Tamasabas do quite well in pond settings.

But I do agree, sticking with commons is the best chance of success... but with some patience, you can also have fancies in a pond environment.

 

[Goldiemom]

I live in Texas and have a small, 250 garden pond. I have a covered patio and this is is a patio pond. Anything out in the open should be at least 3’ deep for winterizing as the fish will hibernate at the bottom. Don’t feed at all if the temps drop below 40. Our winters in the south are much different then other parts of the country. We can alternate between 32 one day and 70 the next so feed according to temp. Don’t just stop feeding completely in the winter as they do up north. Good luck and have fun with your pond!

 

[OneLittleBubble]

Having fancies in a pond, I get what your saying. The vast majority of fancies don't do well, but the fantails, rykins, orandas and Tamasabas do quite well in pond settings.

But I do agree, sticking with commons is the best chance of success... but with some patience, you can also have fancies in a pond environment.

You shouldn't keep them together though

 

[aussieJJDude]

You shouldn't keep them together though

Yeah, its frowned upon for obvious reasons. (Many do however....) for the health of all fish, it is best to keep them apart!

 

[Goldiemom]

Having fancies in a pond, I get what your saying. The vast majority of fancies don't do well, but the fantails, rykins, orandas and Tamasabas do quite well in pond settings.

But I do agree, sticking with commons is the best chance of success... but with some patience, you can also have fancies in a pond environment.

We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[aussieJJDude]

We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one.

Understood. I was very much in the same boat until I tried it for myself. If you ever set up another pond, consider trying fancies - you'll be surprised on how hardy many varities can be!

 

[PatientStars]

Goldiemom I'm sure you'll be able to answer these questions for me.

I dug out space for a round, 18 gal pond in a small raised flowerbed I have in my backyard. It's quite cute, but looks rather small. The place I got it from reccomended 3 fancy goldfish for that size pond, and so I now have 3 fantails (though I feel like one may be a ryunkin) in a fully cycled tank in my house, waiting for the pond to be ready.

Is 18 gal enough for them? It seems so small. Will they be ok outside in the summer? I know they don't like high temps. I will have plenty of shade plants around the pond to help, and was planning on putting a layer of white sand on the bottom to mitigate the heat retention of the black plastic of the pond.

I do have room for an oval sized pond that could give them more space to swim. Would you suggest I do the extra work to put something a little bit bigger in there for them?

***and they will be wintering in the house since I can't provide a pond deep enough for them to survive outside.

 

[Goldiemom]

I wish I could say all will be fine but it’s really too small. One is about all you could put in there. I have 3 commons in my 125G pond. If you could do 40G they should be fine. How deep is it?