American Paddlefish can be over five feet and 150 pounds. Farmed specimens occasionally undergo dwarfism that results in a sexually mature specimen that doesn't get much over 2' in length.
In order to properly provide for this species, one must provide either a circular or bull-nosed oval tank of sufficient size to allow the fish to turn and travel. As with many sharks, squared corners will result in the death of your paddlefish.
Young paddlefish can grow astonishingly quickly when their needs are met. My friends at Osage Catfisheries (the original CB paddlefish hatchery, and still one of the leaders in that field) inform me that during their first year, hatchlings can put on as much as 3" per month on quality pelletized food. And yes, if converted young enough, paddlefish can be fed pelletized food for life.
American paddlefish can be kept for life in freshwater. It is the (likely extinct) Chinese paddlefish which has an anadromous life cycle.
With all of this considered, one must have a very large tank or pond to house even a small specimen. Unlike with many other monster fish that we keep, these fish are obligate swimmers who absolutely must be provided room to swim. The ideal MINIMUM setup to keep the fish alive and healthy for any length of time would be a bullnose oval of roughly 15x5 feet and 3 feet of depth, and even this should be considered a growout.
I'm sorry to say OP, but your pond is wholly inadequate.
In order to properly provide for this species, one must provide either a circular or bull-nosed oval tank of sufficient size to allow the fish to turn and travel. As with many sharks, squared corners will result in the death of your paddlefish.
Young paddlefish can grow astonishingly quickly when their needs are met. My friends at Osage Catfisheries (the original CB paddlefish hatchery, and still one of the leaders in that field) inform me that during their first year, hatchlings can put on as much as 3" per month on quality pelletized food. And yes, if converted young enough, paddlefish can be fed pelletized food for life.
American paddlefish can be kept for life in freshwater. It is the (likely extinct) Chinese paddlefish which has an anadromous life cycle.
With all of this considered, one must have a very large tank or pond to house even a small specimen. Unlike with many other monster fish that we keep, these fish are obligate swimmers who absolutely must be provided room to swim. The ideal MINIMUM setup to keep the fish alive and healthy for any length of time would be a bullnose oval of roughly 15x5 feet and 3 feet of depth, and even this should be considered a growout.
I'm sorry to say OP, but your pond is wholly inadequate.
Be that as it may and you might be correct but it certainly seems people learn the best from their firsthand experience (I, for one, do) plus I believe we must be tactful, considerate in our advising and not cross the lines of personal freedom and general friendliness. Yes, fish and their well being is important but it doesn't compare to people and their freedom of pursuit of happiness and well being.