Native Pond

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P.A.NativesBPM

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 25, 2012
882
1
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Pennsylvania
Hello,

I was going to build a heated pond, but I'm realizing that it will just be too hard and too costly to accomplish what I want.I also realized that most of my stock can be replaced with fish in my backyard. So I'm turning it into a natives pond!

It's 8' by 6' and 3 feet deep. It's 800 gallons the way I have the terraces laid out. I'll list what I wanted and what I want to replace with.

RTC- Flathead Catfish
Peacock bass- Any kind of native bass
Arowana- Pike, gar,?

Also could I add some sunfish to the mix as well? I like the look of long ears.

Any way I could get a real monster like a paddlefish in there? If not ill get one of the genetic runts for my 75 if I can find one.

What other fish could I add? Thanks!


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Good you've realised it - heated ponds can be done, but it is not worth it for the average keeper.

The stock you mentioned would work well, try to make the pond deeper though - 3' is not deep enough even for native fish. 4,' would be good. As for replacing aros - I'd go for gars, more interesting in a mixed pond than pike and easier to care for. You can keep sunnies in there but the flathead will eat them regularly; you could just go fishing every once in a while to replenish them. The way you have the stock laid out it soundd like a great pond, much better than anything tropical IMO !:)
 
Chub_by said:
Good you've realised it - heated ponds can be done, but it is not worth it for the average keeper.

The stock you mentioned would work well, try to make the pond deeper though - 3' is not deep enough even for native fish. 4,' would be good. As for replacing aros - I'd go for gars, more interesting in a mixed pond than pike and easier to care for. You can keep sunnies in there but the flathead will eat them regularly; you could just go fishing every once in a while to replenish them. The way you have the stock laid out it soundd like a great pond, much better than anything tropical IMO !:)
Click to expand...

Cool!
So 4' deep and it looks like I'm golden I guess. What species of gar would you get to survive a PA winter?

Also, I should probably put these fish in a tank first to transition them to the food I want them on right?


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For gar species, you should contact our fellow member Scott (Sbuse). He knows a lot about gars so he will be able to tell you which ones fit your pond best + he sells rare gar species so he can supply you with the ones you'll be keeping.
Wether you'll need a tank depends on the size of the fish. A small fish will find it hard to recognize small food items in a large pond but a monster won't!;)
 
Start to build the pond then worry about the stock. Eventhough planning is important you are going to spend months decided what to do and keep changing your ideas. It's then going to get cold or you are going to be busy with something else and not have a pond. Grab a shovel and start to dig already.
Go with natives you are not going to want to deal with a heater.
 
Instead of flathead get albino channel cats... Flathead will eventually eat sunfish if that is your plan... They are monsters...


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I wouldn't get a paddlefish, they are not for begininners until you are capable to keep your pond fish THRIVING.

If you want some gars, I would add some bass, bowfin, maybe common carps and albino channel catfish.

If you want some sunfish, I would add koi, carp, goldfish, bullheads, golden orfe and maybe golden shiners.

If you want a flathead, I wouldn't add anything to the pond.

Personally I would try goldfish, bullheads and koi out first.
 
Ok everybody: here's how I've decided I will stock.

4x koi
2x common carp
3x longnose gar
1x bowfin
1x albino channel cat.

Also, I found out recently from a family member that the neighborhood I live in used to have a very large pond. If I can talk the board and pull a few strings I may be responsible for a half acre pond/lake! Wish me luck on getting both projects done!


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