Pond fish feeding problems and unseen clown loaches

[Jdk]

Allo, I currently have a 400 gallon (excluding filter and water fountain volume) pond that has an arowana, 3 bichirs, 5 clown Loaches, and 2 pleco all which are around 10-18cm and all of which I have recently bought (see my profile for more info). I currently am struggling with feeding as the food (bloodworms and pellets) scatters everywhere. The clown loaches who are supposed to be the clean up crew also have never been seen by me since I bought them 3 days ago (mostly likely hiding and only coming out at the dead of night, hopefully not dead . If you're wondering, there are certain fish hiding spots in the pond which I am unable to see without jumping in the pond myself). My aro also always darts to the corner whenever a human passes by so its basically impossible to feed him while I'm there (tho there are feeder fish that I placed in the pond so he should be good for a while). I was thinking of buying some sort of small schooling fish (like tiger barbs?) to make the other fish (namely the aro and CLs) become more confident and less scared in swimming around the pond and to also clean up the pond of uneaten food as well as small/microscopic dead floating insects. I also dont mind the fact that they'll get eaten by the aro or the bichirs eventually.

What do you guys think? I'm probably overreacting since it has only been a few days, but I'm quite worried if this situation doesn't improve soon.

Any suggestions or inputs are welcome!

 

[Jdk]

Oh and I also dont want schooling fisb that eats plants as I have floating plants as well as java ferns in the pond

 

[duanes]

At the size your fish are now, they are all perfect size for predatory birds (whether there are any birds or not), the instinct to hide when a shadow or figure looms, will not go away until they are larger, and until they learn to associate you, and your shadow, with food.
Whatever small fish you add, will also be considered as feeders until you get the stock onto primarily eating pellets.

And feeders are also a danger, because they are cheap, are not always raised in the healthiest of conditions, so are often vectors of diseases and parasites, hard to detect from above, in a pond.

Most natural color fish evolved to be hard to see from above, which is why the bright colors of koi and goldfish were developed.

Can you see the 3 natural color fish in the pic taken from above?
All 3 are Herichthys carpintus, but in an aquarium (from the side) they are obvious.

I have kept many "natural color" fish in ponds, but as a rule, hardly ever see them.

When the pic above was taken, there were probably hundreds of natural color fish in it.
If I wanted to actually see fish, well..........