Fish for ducks?

[dianaross77]

As long as your pond doesn't freeze solid they should be okay. Can you get Japanese Trapdoor Snails? They are awesome! They are black so they likely would go unnoticed by the ducks. They don't lay eggs and overrun your pond with offspring. They give birth to live young. I've watched it and it was so cool. I actually had a fish tank with just snails because me and the kids liked them so much. I ordered mine off ebay and at least half of them were female and gave birth within a week of getting them.

 

[jdywntr]

If you don't have a filter and pump, your choices are limited. You will have to get something in the carp family as they can survive without the surface movement that oxygenates the water. Either way, you will need to clean out the pond periodically because as wastes accumulate, the water becomes toxic. Many people think that certain fish eat waste, aquarium/pond fish do not. Koi will work, even without a filter, they will DEMOLISH any plants that you have. You may want to start with something cheap, like feeder goldfish first and see how it goes.
Several years ago, I had my ponds active outside, I had koi but due to the wild birds here (heron etc) and raccoons, I began finding half my $20 fish. I then just got some feeder fish, $.15 and grew and bred like crazy. Unfortunately, my pump died and I did not replace it. That fall, the accumulation of falling leaves killed all of my fish within 2 days.
Pond fish are work, not something you can just toss in unless you don't care if the ducks get them.

 

[lishah2000]

Anything living will add to the waste load. All depends on the pond size and if you have a filter.

I would add minnows and feeder goldfish - maybe a pleco. The ducks will eat some of them, but they are cheap and some will survive. Minnows breed quickly. If the goldfish get big enough the ducks will probably leave them alone.

My pond is pretty big and natural, but my ducks go fishing all the time. Even saw one pick up a small catfish, but then just dropped it.

 

[Oddyse]

Quote:
What size is your pond? Mine is 6ft diameter (its a completely round pond) and about 17" deep. Is this too small to keep fish. I just want a little extra help with the cleaning.

, Im not too bothered if the ducks eat some of them but not all. I have a good filter and good pump too. Fish would just be an added bonus really. These replys are really really helping, thank you so so much

 

[Kmoreau]

Mine is more of a catch basin for a waterfall then a pond. My ducks use a kiddie pool. I will be building a much larger one soon.

 

[Oddyse]

Quote:
Just ordered some of the snails you mentioned. Im going to keep them in a normal fish tank to start with and add them to the pond periodically. Aparently, when the snails die, the STINK! And not just smell bad, I mean completely STINK! So I wanna keep an eye on that! Thanks for the advice though, anyone with anymore advice or help will be great!

 

[Oddyse]

Will these be ok for ducks, incase they eat them?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170697079151?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[dianaross77]

It won't hurt the ducks to eat them but watch out, they are prolific breeders and will overtake your pond quickly.