Outdoor ponds are a splendid backyard feature, particularly when they highlight graceful fish nibbling plants delicately, gliding through the clear water, and even interacting with people. However, they demand a little more practice and attention.
Picking out fish that can live in outdoor pond isn’t as easy as it seems. There’re a lot of species and types that may technically work in an outdoor pond, but they will not actually thrive. Firstly they get affected by the weather conditions, which means they can get cold during the winter (depending on the location you live in). Another point is that each fish species can withstand a certain amount of stress. While some can withstand more, others cannot at all. All these factors make up what you should look out for before beginning your outdoor pond.
To make the whole process simple, we shall enlist some of the best fish that can live in outdoor pond. Read them, choose your favorites, and start from there!
Common Goldfish
The common goldfish makes a great option for keeping in backyard ponds. Primarily, it\’s because they are hardy fish, capable of surviving in a broad range of conditions. Next, they do not demand a lot in regards to maintenance. They are generally amiable and can live with most other fish species as well. Besides that, they can provide your outdoor pond with a great variety of colors. They range in color from orange to red, yellow, white, and even black.
You can expect a common goldfish to grow quite large in a pond. Some may grow up to a few inches long, while some can grow nearly a foot. This means you can choose whichever species that best matches the size of your pond.
Common goldfish can tolerate freezing or low temperatures. They do best at 20-22°C and at a pH range of 7.2-7.6. They aren’t picky eaters but prefer a herbivorous diet.
Mosquitofish
While not seen much in the aquarium trade, mosquitofish is a small, unassuming variety that is fairly common in the pond fishkeeping community. They reach a maximum length of two inches. With semi-transparent fins and a basic torpedo-shaped body, these fish are quite agile in pond water. Meanwhile, their brown or dull gray color lets them fade nicely into the background.
The majority of pond owners do not add these outdoor pond fish for their looks but pick them for their utility. They can eat a large number of mosquito larvae and keep insect issues under control.
Moreover, they are very adaptable as well. They can flourish in most of the standard pond conditions. Mosquitofish can tough it out even in extreme parameter fluctuations till things stabilize.
Koi Carp
Believe it or not, when it is about fish that can live in outdoor pond, Koi is the quintessential pond fish, and understandably so. They have a magnificent amount of diversity in their patterning and coloration, and depending on the variety they are usually a maximum of foot to 3 feet in size.
With over 100 different Koi subspecies among 13 classes, you can expect it to be present for just about everyone. Besides that, they are quite tolerant to temperature shifts as long as they aren’t that abrupt, as for many fish it can cause shock, stress, or even death.
A pH range of 7.5-8 and a temperature range of 15-25°C work best for their healthy and strong living. If you intend to have any of these fish for your pond, you will need a larger pond (at least a meter deep).
Guppy Fish
Arguably the most renowned livebearing fish species, guppy fish are a superb option for small outdoor ponds. They don’t have any issue breeding in captivity. You can achieve a flourishing guppy population with a little careful planning.
These fish are of smaller size, being only around 2 inches long. Females are a bit larger than males. But males take the tag of being the most sought after. The reason for this is their eye-catching tailfin that boasts intricate patterns and beautiful colors. Moreover, the tailfin is larger than other fins and is fan-shaped, making it an outstanding feature.
On the other hand, females can have a pretty caudal fin as well, but their bigger size makes it slightly less striking than the one you see on the males.
Guppy fish is a favorite one among breeders and is available in various patterns and colors. Some popular kinds include tuxedo, cobra, snakeskin, and dumbo.
Golden Orfe
Golden orfe is a stunning pond fish that can usually grow nearly to 3 feet in correct conditions. While they aren’t as widespread as the Koi, orfes can be as stunning.
They are very sensitive to water quality problems. In fact, many opt for the ‘golden orfe toxicity test’ in order to determine the quality of water. If it isn’t good enough for this fish, the water is considered unhealthy and requires treatment.
In regards to temperature, golden orfe is very hardy, making it an ideal fish that can live in outdoor pond. They do best at a pH range of 7-8 and can survive water temperatures as high as 32°C or as low as freezing, however, they do well at 10-25°C.
Weather Loach
Also known as pond loach, weather loach is one of the earliest domesticated fish species in the world. They’re, in fact, the most common species of fish for ponds.
These quirky bottom dwellers, also known as bottom feeders, tend to swim around the bottom of the pond and keep it clean. In aquariums, weather loaches reach lengths of nearly 6 inches, but they can get even larger in spacious ponds.
You may want to know why they are named weather loach? The reason for this is that they are considered a predictor of bad weather. They begin to swim around the pond restlessly and behave erratically before a storm comes.
In regards to behavior, weather loaches are friendly fish towards the spectators and other fish. They can typically live for nearly ten years or even more.
Fathead Minnow
A freshwater fish, which is endemic to North America, fathead minnow are bright and full of color that can give a beautiful contrast against the natural décor of your outdoor pond.
They have a small size, measuring only 2-3 inches in length. They can tolerate a broad range of water temperatures and parameters; which is the reason behind them being so widely spread. These fish can be kept in a small fish pond or even in tubs. They are pretty tolerant to low oxygen water and can very well survive extreme conditions which are uninhabitable for other fish species.
Moreover, fatheads are easy to breed. They’ll usually spawn when the temperature of the water gets below 18°C. Females can lay between 65000 to 10000 eggs per year, and they can do this around 25 times a year.
So if you\’re looking for a hardy and easy-to-breed fish, fathead minnows are the one for you.