Outdoor pond fish recomendations other than Koi/goldfish?

[Arkangel77]

I am going to build a In ground pond. Not sure on size yet but It will be somewhere between 20X15X3 to 30X20X4 in size. I know its a hure range but I am in the air about it. I want it to be Large But I dont have a good spot for a filter so I am trying to figure that out. Its gona be in front of the house to one side. Anyway - I live 30 min north of New Orleans. It gets down to freezing a few times a year but nothing crazy.

SO back to the main question - what do you guys think I could keep in there other thn Goldfish? Something with color and fair size to it?

If it helps I plan to have a waterfall on one side. Not sure about filters at all but am leaning towards a DIY drum or barrel filter/filters?

Thanks, Arkangel77

 

[94Gt5.0]

Ive heard of people putting Cichlid/Oscar's in a warmer enviornment. Its usually pretty warm down there isnt it? You could always put in a heater for the times that it gets cold.

 

[Arkangel77]

I know that Texas Blue's are thriving in the local waterways around new orleans. They are a nice looking fish! Not sure how cold they can survive threw? I dont even want to think about trying to heat 18000 Gal. LOL!

 

[94Gt5.0]

Oh **** yeah, 18,000G would cost a little bit to heat!! Hell I dont want to heat my ~3000 haha

 

[Deep Blue Sea]

Channel Cat

 

[94Gt5.0]

Ive also heard of people putting crappie/bluegill/sunfish in ponds that have worked out quite well. Best thing is they are free, just catch em and throw em in your pond!

 

[Arkangel77]

Ive also heard of people putting crappie/bluegill/sunfish in ponds that have worked out quite well. Best thing is they are free, just catch em and throw em in your pond!

I have thought of this as well. Not sure if my pond will be big enoughf for them But then again- I guess? It may not be 18000 - I have to figure out the filter before I decide on a size!

 

[Arkangel77]

Anyone else got a recomendation?

 

[Anubias]

If you want big colorful fish, koi and goldfish will give you the most size and color options. If smaller fish are acceptable, then you have swordtails, platys, some native killifish, texas cichlids may be able to handle your weather and any number of native sunfish.

Will you be building a waterfall? If so, that may give you an area to hide, camouflage a filter set-up. I have been rebuilding my pond on a very limited flat site, we used retaining wall block to build up the waterfall area while maintaining access on the back side of the pond. You could do something similar and have a hidden area for filters and pumps.

 

[Arkangel77]

I am building a waterfall. I am going to build the pond in an area where the land slopes a Bit so I am going to dig the filter in a bit and plant around the sides with rock around the front. I am watching your build for Ideas!

As for stocking - Still up in the air with that.