question about fish in the duck pools or pond

[Mommysongbird]

If we get fish from like the pet store and put in a pond or in our ducks pools, how long will the fish last and do we need to get anything for them? I don't want to put in regular pond chemicals but will the fish survive without anything in it and what about keeping the pond/pools clean. Is there an easier way than emptying every day?? We actually use our shop vac for this, so as to not get the run so wet.

 

[Deleted member 94844]

Just get the cheap feeder fish... they should do fine on algae and other nibbly bits. At first I tossed some goldfish pellets in our pond for them, but they rarely ate it so I skip it now. Some fish will be eaten by the ducks right away, the smart ones will survive and get BIG! We have had some fish for over a year... one black one from the first batch of fish we bought is like eight inches long now. He hides most of the time, but we see him at night when the ducks are inside.

 

[rlmitchell]

We bought a dozen or so of the feeder fish about 10 years ago. Our pond is now LOADED with them, all shapes and sizes. One of our ducks caught his very first fish the other day. It was SO exciting and fun to watch.

 

[Mommysongbird]

So there is no concern about the water that the fish came out of? I mean with chemicals in the tanks??

What about adding chemicals to our pond? We wanted to do it as orntimental fish, but if the ducks get hold of a few, I don't want anything bad to happen to them.

 

[Deleted member 94844]

The ducks will eat and chase the fish... so you do not want anything fancy. If they have elaborate fins, etc. they will just get injured. The fish tanks at the store are filtered water, not sure what chemicals you are talking about. In terms of pond chemicals, you need to be sure anything you add is duck-safe... you can't add anything that contains copper, for example. API AlgaeFix is safe and we use it to help control algae. Be sure and research anything before putting it in the water, tho. We always add any chemicals or beneficial bacteria after the ducks come in for the day, so it can filter and mix all night.

I also want to add that our pond is filtered with a skimmer, bog and filterfalls... You should not add pond chemicals to an unfiltered pool.