Keeping local/native fish in a pond?

[Eric L]

I have a big pond thats not being used and Koi fish are sorta boring to me so I was wondering if I could go out can catch native fish in my local water ways and keep them in the pond. The whole thing is over 1000 gallons and has good filtration and during the winter I can either return the fish to the waterway or hope they survive during the winter with a little heater to break the ice.

Is this an outdoor pond so would this work?

Thanks,

Eric

 

[sandtiger]

Sounds like a fine idea to me, you could easily get some bullhead or sunfish in there. Maybe a school of large shiners or chubs or a few largemouth bass.

 

[fishyz]

sandtiger is right it should work. I would like to see what it looks like if you do do it.

 

[Eric L]

Thanks alot! I dont know if this is a stupid question but can I keep a couple koi fish in with the native fish? Also how many GPH should I be running?

 

[sandtiger]

Yeah, you could keep koi with natives, depending on size and species. Sunfish for example are rather aggresive and may abuse the koi. Bass aren't typically that aggresive but will eat them if they are small. Bullhead only bother fish they can fit in their mouths. It really depends on what you decide to get.

 

[drewish]

If the pond is deep enough and doesn't freeze through, you shouldn't have any problems keeping catfish species and some sunfish or maybe perch. Not all them will make it, but some will and if you have breeding pairs I imagine you can maintain a population all-year-round. I also wanted to add that you should not return the fish to the waterway in which you collected them from.