Pond Fish

[chixie]

I started with feeder fish.... but be prepared some will die... I have had some feeder fish for 3 years... I used to have koi but we had a flood and they all swam away(some were 10 inches long) ...

 

[pinkchick]

My pond is 10' x17' and 22" deep at its deepest. I have feeder gold fish and comets in there and I haven't fed them in 2 years. THEY ARE HUGE!!!!!!!! I also have babies everywhere you look in the pond. The pond ices over every year......I do nothing to it. I hardly ever turn the pumps on to circulate. I do drain it down once a year and replace the water (I like to drain it directly into my garden.....fish emulsion yummy, but it is great fertilizer). I started with 40 fish 3 years ago and have 20 of the original fish left and their off spring from each season. Horror story on the other 20 that are no longer with us. Can't go there!
Other than that.............easiest pets I have!

 

[Stina]

Feeder goldfish generally ARE comets...even those that "aren't" are still basically the same thing anyway. The only difference is that some have short tails and they are sold as "feeders." Same species, same care, same adult size, same lifespan. ALL normal body type goldfish (comets, shubunkins, "feeders") get around 12" long and can live over 20 years.

 

[hikerchick]

Quote:
they were labelled as feeder comets. The only difference between the 19 cent feeder comets in the pet store and the $6 comets in the garden store is the size. They will grow large in no time.

Assuming I can relocate that snapping turtle. of course, now I can't find him.

 

[ChooksChick]

I did the same thing- 10 for $1 8 years ago, and now I have around 40, and they are big enough for a snack...each!

I love the little things, and they reqire almost no care- did have a freezeover last year for a little bit, and we lost our first 2- but it's been great otherwise!

 

[gaited horse]

off topic but cool avitar Nicola

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

I have about a 1000 gallong pond right outside my bedroom door and there is no pump/air/or anything in it. Just comets and shubumkins(sp?) and they live just fine. I have had the same ones for 3 solid years and they haven't died from lack of oxygen...I think your turtle is eating your fishies!

 

[Whispering Winds]

Quote:
Sometimes you just can't win for losing, but my gosh I had to laugh!!

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
It's Shubunkin

Goldfish were the first thing that got me started into the aquarium hobby. I kept fancy ones in a 55 gallon tank that I still have, but have different fish. They all died from Dropsy

I was also going to suggest the feeder goldfish. You may also be able to put small fancy ones such as Orandas, Telescope-eyed, Black Moors, and possibly Ranchus in there, but keep in mind that some of those fish can't swim as well as the comets. I love goldfish! Maybe I'll start getting more

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, the only fish I get for ponds and the like are the 19 cent feeder fish. They really do grow in no time. This guy survived being a feeder for the turtles:

He was just too fast for these lazy bums, and certainly could not fit in their mouth anymore! Their primary job though was to clean up after the sloppy turtles so they usually lasted a few months in the pool with them.