The Fish Factor: Goldfish

A pond is not complete without fish to occupy it. Whether it's a pond built by man or Mother Nature, most ponds contain fish. Choosing what kind of fish you put in your pond depends on how much you want to spend, the size of the pond, and your personal preferences. Let's look at pricing first. Pricing can range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars, and that can be for just one fish! Let's have a small breakdown on the type of fish you can get for your pond.

There are many types of fish you can put in a pond. Let's first start with goldfish. Goldfish are considered fresh water fish, which means you don't need salt in your pond for them to survive. Now, there are several types of goldfish, with prices that might range. Let's look at a few different types of goldfish:

Comets

You have large red and white comets, which might cost around $10.00. They are around 4" in size. There are also Shubunkin Pond Comets, which can cost around $10.00 and range from 3.5" to 4". Comets are the least expensive fish for ponds, and won't damage your plants. They grow about double their original size (around 6" to 8"). They can be mixed with your koi fish, but there are other fish you can put in their as well. We have catfish and koi in our pond.

Fantails

Fantails are the least aggressive of pond fish, and are considered delicate. This is a good pond fish for beginners, being that they can survive in extremely cold climates. These fish can cost around a few bucks, since they are smaller in size compared to comets. These fish are around 2.5" to 3", and grow no longer than 6".

Black Moors

Black moors, like fantails, are considered pond fish for beginners because of their survival in extremely cold climates. This makes it safe to keep them in an outdoor pond.
Prices can range from $10.00 to $20.00 depending on the size you buy it at. They range from 2" to 4". They won't grow more than 4" though.

Orandas

These fish are very delicate and have a hood that can be subjected to infection from bacteria or fungi that settles within. They are not recommended for beginners, and pricing can range from $5.00 (1.5" to 3"), to $30.00 (4" to 6").

If you have a small sized pond, between 30 to 150 gallons, then goldfish are a safe way to go. If you have a medium (150 to 500 gallons) or large pond (500 to 1,000+ gallons), you might prefer going with koi fish. We'll cover that soon. Our next blog will discuss garden islands. A garden island can do wonders for appearance with your pond. We'll get more in-depth with it next time.