africans in an outdoor pond

[TheFanatic]

Be very careful. If you live in a climate where the cichlids could live year round, you are risking introducing these fish into the native waters.

There's already problems in some parts of the Southern US due to people introducing cichlids.

All it takes is a big rainstorm to flood the pond and then a few cichlids are carried into the nearby creek or whatever..

Doesn't even take that. Takes a wading bird to land in the water a couple of eggs to stick to it's feet, fly to the next body of water and then two things are populated with Cichlids.

 

[paulW]

I am sure the Southeastern Massachusetts is still a little too cold for African cichlids.

I was speaking in generalities, for anyone else reading this thread that was thinking about it.

 

[fsc46]

Why not section part of the pond off to make it easier to collect them in the fall?

Fair question...

I would like to but it's not my pond and he likes to canoe in it with his kids so the net or whatever we use could get in the way if/when the water level goes down.

I added a 6 pleco's the other day to help remove the algae. Any other suggestions? I'll take a pic of the pond if I remember to bring my camera next time.

 

[mike dunagan]

is this a natural pond?

 

[paulW]

Fair question...

I would like to but it's not my pond and he likes to canoe in it with his kids so the net or whatever we use could get in the way if/when the water level goes down.

I added a 6 pleco's the other day to help remove the algae. Any other suggestions? I'll take a pic of the pond if I remember to bring my camera next time.

Again, I hate to be the downer, but I really don't advise you adding any more exotic fish to a pond this size. You'll never be able to catch them all. Sure, the cold will probably kill them all, but you are also risking introducing aquarium diseases to the natural fish population. Actually, plecos might survive the winter in there.

Also, if this is a natural pond, it is illegal to introduce exotics. I'm not going to turn you in.. but keep in mind what you are doing is not a good idea..

Plecos are not going to make an impact on the algae in the pond. Usually a large body of water like that with an algae problem is caused by fertilizer runoff.

 

[fsc46]

is this a natural pond?

Man made by the previous owner and the only fish in there, were added by me.

By 10 am, 2/3's of the pond is in direct sunlight. It's probably the main reason there is so much algae. I don't think the pleco's will be able to maintain the entire pond, but I hope they atleast make a dent .

So far I haven't been able to see the front, the koi is easy to spot when it isn't hiding. The good news is, no ducks or birds of an kind so far .

 

[mike dunagan]

can we see a pic of this pond

 

[fsc46]

If I remember my camera this weekend I'll take a few pics.

 

[fsc46]

Here is the pond....

 

[headbanger_jib]

that is an awesome size pond
i have kept nearly a hundred or so chiclids in one of the outdoor tanks (900 uk gal)
it was actually a tank and then i started adding fish there and then one fine day the fish kinda took over the tank