Most hardy cichlid for outdoor pond?

I was lookin online and saw that some people keep theier cichlids in outdoor garden ponds. I have a several hundred gallon garden pond that I was wondering if I could put cichlids in. But my problem is that the pond has so many hiding spots and is so deep there is no way I would be able to catch them in the fall. I have enough trouble trying to catch a fish in my 75 gallon tank. So I was wondering if there are any cichlids hardy enough to survive a winter in a pond that is plenty deep. I would prefer new world cichlids but am open to africans as well. Thanks

 

How cold do your winters get?

 

Sorry I knew I was forgeting something. I near St. Louis MissourI so our winters get pretty cold. The average temperature this winter was probably around 45 as a high during the day and 30 at night but a couple weeks it got down to 15 at night but never any lower than that. And I imagine that a lot of water won't change temperature that fast.

 

I can't think of any cichlid that would survive those temps with out heated water.

 

If I heated the pond and could keep it in the 40s are there any that would survive?

 

If I heated the pond and could keep it in the 40s are there any that would survive?

I doubt it. Cichlid all come from places where the water is almost always over 70 degrees.

You might do better with a north american native fish if they are legal in your area. Blue gill and bass are kind of like cichlid in demeanor. I read somewhere they are loosely related. lol

 

Apistogramma BorelliI are found in the coolest water of any cichlid I know. They survive in pools that reach 6°c 44°f

I would love a pond full of these guys.

 

If I heated the pond and could keep it in the 40s are there any that would survive?

Yes, there are some species from montainius regions or from the extreme southern area of south american that have some cold tolerance. Do a google search for cold tolerant cichlids, and wade through the links. Then you will need to research species that you find mentioned that meet the requirements you are shooting for. Finally, once having found which species can survive the temps you are talking about you will need to find a source for them, in this regard catfishjack is correct, most of the cichlids found online and in our local fish stores are not cold tolerant.

is just one example of a link that specifies several different cichlid species that can survive the temps you are talking about