I love my kings!!!

[MN_Rebel]

So if they're going to die then really what am i going to do, i say i have some and have given some info on how to keep them for anyone that could, if they die, oh well, great experiment. I've heard enough about how they're illegal and they're goin to die. If they do, big deal. If they somehow live, that would be great, I've always thought these fish were survivers because they survived 2 days in a water bottle, one day in a washed out coke can, and a 7 hour car ride in the trunk haha. But this was mostly to inform what I have and to tell people that if they have a colder climate, these are keepable fish, not some weak little fry that dies in a day, They didn't have food for 3 days I mean, you really don't even need current, the great lakes don't and thats where these guys go for 2 years. Justt cold, clean, and clear water ad they're keepable if you have the room

Something tells me that you are just 14-16 years old. IMO King salmon isn't excatly "keepable" fish since most salmon species were pelagic....means they are always on moving. Great Lakes are perfect for the salmon and you know why. But have fun with the salmon but I don't think they will see their first year due to improper husbandy and they are kept in a puddle that's easy access for predators.

 

[troppond]

They might...

 

[Chefken]

Your powerful filtration will hasten the undoing of your fish....The fish will need and seek cold water....under 60 degrees. In any lake or deep stream cold enough to support them the water is always cold enough if the fish go deep enough. A three foot deep pond, no matter how big simply cannot stay cold during your summer. My guess is close to 90 degrees. Your water movement will ensure no cold spots exist at all. Koi, bass, sunfish ect. can handle warm water if oxygen is plentiful for short periods of time. The trout/salmon will just die. Try some warmer water hardy fish and invest in a small heater to keep a portion of the surface from icing over in the winter. Your fish will semi-sleep through the winter and grow all summer long!

 

[Wiggles92]

So if they're going to die then really what am i going to do, i say i have some and have given some info on how to keep them for anyone that could, if they die, oh well, great experiment. I've heard enough about how they're illegal and they're goin to die. If they do, big deal. If they somehow live, that would be great, I've always thought these fish were survivers because they survived 2 days in a water bottle, one day in a washed out coke can, and a 7 hour car ride in the trunk haha. But this was mostly to inform what I have and to tell people that if they have a colder climate, these are keepable fish, not some weak little fry that dies in a day, They didn't have food for 3 days I mean, you really don't even need current, the great lakes don't and thats where these guys go for 2 years. Justt cold, clean, and clear water ad they're keepable if you have the room

Room that you don't have for two full-grown adult king salmon...

And just because you think that they will survive doesn't mean they will.

Your powerful filtration will hasten the undoing of your fish....The fish will need and seek cold water....under 60 degrees. In any lake or deep stream cold enough to support them the water is always cold enough if the fish go deep enough. A three foot deep pond, no matter how big simply cannot stay cold during your summer. My guess is close to 90 degrees. Your water movement will ensure no cold spots exist at all. Koi, bass, sunfish ect. can handle warm water if oxygen is plentiful for short periods of time. The trout/salmon will just die. Try some warmer water hardy fish and invest in a small heater to keep a portion of the surface from icing over in the winter. Your fish will semi-sleep through the winter and grow all summer long!

x2.

Invest in one heck of a chiller if you really want to keep these fish and any other similar coldwater fishes (trout, etc.) alive because you're going to need it; there is pretty much no chance of them surviving without the cold water temperatures that they need to thrive. Otherwise, just stick with other pond-friendly temperate fishes.

 

[troppond]

uhhhhhh my point is it is no big deal if they die... There are 2 rainbow trout and a swarm of bluegill. I'm planning on keeping catfish, gar, bowfin, and MAYBE a northern pike. i probably won't get the pike so don't tell me how i can't keep it and it'll die

 

[Wiggles92]

uhhhhhh my point is it is no big deal if they die... There are 2 rainbow trout and a swarm of bluegill. I'm planning on keeping catfish, gar, bowfin, and MAYBE a northern pike. i probably won't get the pike so don't tell me how i can't keep it and it'll die

Okay then... Why did you bother getting them in the first place? You could argue that only x number of king salmon survive to adulthood, and say "What's the big deal about taking two?" If it was just to say, "Look what I got!" with no regards to keeping the fish alive by doing a proper amount of research on their care then shame on you; this mindset is greatly frowned upon here on MFK.

The trout will end up dieing when the water warms up during the summer; there's no getting around that fact. As for the other fish, don't mix the pike and the gar; they will not get along in such a small space. The catfish/gar/bowfin combination should work as long as the fish are all close in size and are able to get enough food. The bluegills will most likely end up getting eaten by the other larger fish, but I'm guessing that you view them as an expendable food source for the larger fish which is fine by me since they are a natural food item for the other fish that you mentioned.

We are willing to help you get your pond stock sorted out, so don't take the repeated "Those salmon will die," posts too hard; just be sure to plan ahead on future pond stock to keep the fish healthy and happy.

 

[troppond]

Nah i don't really care, it was just an expiriment, as were the trout, just to see if by some miracle they could live, which is less than a 5 percent chance... So saying they don't live, my stock would be 1 longnose, florida, and shortnose gar, in the gar forum it says floridas have been introduced to quebec, as you know wiggles. one or two blue or flathead catfish, and a bowfin. That covers top and bottom, what would be a good middle section fish, 3 lmb is what i was thinking

 

[MN_Rebel]

Nah i don't really care, it was just an expiriment, as were the trout, just to see if by some miracle they could live, which is less than a 5 percent chance... So saying they don't live, my stock would be 1 longnose, florida, and shortnose gar, in the gar forum it says floridas have been introduced to quebec, as you know wiggles. one or two blue or flathead catfish, and a bowfin. That covers top and bottom, what would be a good middle section fish, 3 lmb is what i was thinking

That's some poor attitude you have, kiddo. If you don't care about fish, why get salmon/trout in first place? Not mention that it was illegal. My advice: changing your attitude and be open to the ideas.

From judging the size of your pond, it won't hold blue catfish and flathead catfish.

 

[Chefken]

That's some poor attitude you have, kiddo. If you don't care about fish, why get salmon/trout in first place? Not mention that it was illegal. My advice: changing your attitude and be open to the ideas.

From judging the size of your pond, it won't hold blue catfish and flathead catfish.

I was thinking the same thing...that pond is actually really small. I would stick with sunfish and bullheads!! It would still be really cool! The Bowfin might work too!

 

[kzimmerman]

Don't mix cats and gar, the gar need to be with quiet fish, and most cats move around alot, especially at night. I don't know about the bowfin, never kept one. The bass are also a bad idea if your keeping gar. They will out compete the gar for food. If you are really stuck on the gar, keep gar, and maybe a bowfin, check the gar section for compatibility with those. Otherwise, the bass, bluegills, and cats will be fine, as long as you stay away from the big cats, like flatheads, blues, and channels.