It’s finally happening, but it’s actually happening

[Deadeye]

I think you’re right with the ID - I couldn’t tell you the species but it seems like North American water strider is quite widespread enough that that would be the likely candidate.
As for stocking, I’ve always thought a pond with rays and gars would be cool, though may require a bit more care and attention.
I may have to second the idea of the humble goldfish/koi.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

I think you’re right with the ID - I couldn’t tell you the species but it seems like North American water strider is quite widespread enough that that would be the likely candidate.
As for stocking, I’ve always thought a pond with rays and gars would be cool, though may require a bit more care and attention.
I may have to second the idea of the humble goldfish/koi.

rays are illegal, and gars would nip at koi, and i am not sure how they would do with pond liner; their teeth and all. I like koi anyways, pretty and simple. An albino channel catfish, and some gymnogeophagus is also part of the plan

 

[Deadeye]

Do you have anything to keep herons (or any fish eating birds and mammals) away?

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Do you have anything to keep herons (or any fish eating birds and mammals) away?

As of right now no. My plan is to get a few cheap koi first and if they get picked off then I’ll put a net over it, or some other thing that I’ll figure out when I get there lol

 

[Deadeye]

As of right now no. My plan is to get a few cheap koi first and if they get picked off then I’ll put a net over it, or some other thing that I’ll figure out when I get there lol

I’ve seen that statues of herons can work since they are territorial - not sure of the validity of that though. Obviously wouldn’t work for coyotes or foxes though.

 

[DMD123]

My friends had a pond and had problems with raccoons so they ended up installing an electrified line around it. It blends in pretty well and it does help keep certain wildlife out.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

I’ve seen that statues of herons can work since they are territorial - not sure of the validity of that though. Obviously wouldn’t work for coyotes or foxes though.

My friends had a pond and had problems with raccoons so they ended up installing an electrified line around it. It blends in pretty well and it does help keep certain wildlife out.

Yeah, from what I understand predator problems are very subjective. I can’t predict what predator I will have the most problems with, and I can’t predict what will be foolproof solution to it. I can set up a bunch of what-ifs for predators, but it isn’t until I know who to target for predator control do i know what to do.