Pond Newbie seeks advice

[pondnewbie]

Hello all,

Firstly let me say that this world of monster fish is pretty cool. I spent about 2 hours watching people feed their Arawanas (sp?) on YouTube last night. I think the duckling was the most impressive.

I have about a quarter acre pond with a max depth of 4 feet in N Virginia. There are no native fish, but literally thousands of frogs and even more tadpoles. There are at least 6 really big bull frogs (the size that could eat a mouse easily) and a couple water snakes.

I want to stock the pond with Catfish, blugill, minnows and LM Bass, but also wondered if their are some more exotic/aggressive fish that could live in this population and not eat the catfish or bass

I know with a small pond this size many recommend ONLY stocking catfish. Any opinions as to whether I can make a Bass pond out of this little beauty?

The thing about a pond vs a tank is that a pond does not afford you a good view of exotic fish. If anyone has other suggestion as to how to stock this pond that would be enjoyable I would welcome your advice!

Thanks

Pond Newbie

 

[Muske]

The stock list sounds pretty cool now. Maybe an Albino Channel that is trained to come to surface when you are around would be very cool.

 

[Dr Joe]

Agreed.

Get with your Agricultural Extension Agent and the local F&W to see what they say can live there and what your allowed so you done get in trouble by accident . They are a good source of info about water and ground temps too.

You can kiss the frogs good bye once the other fish go in too.

Not alot of cold water exotics, too small for sturgeon, salmon and probably not enough water flow for trout.

And on that note...what are you doing for filtration / aeration?

Dr Joe

.

 

[pondnewbie]

Agreed.

Get with your Agricultural Extension Agent and the local F&W to see what they say can live there and what your allowed so you done get in trouble by accident . They are a good source of info about water and ground temps too.

You can kiss the frogs good bye once the other fish go in too.

Not alot of cold water exotics, too small for sturgeon, salmon and probably not enough water flow for trout.

And on that note...what are you doing for filtration / aeration?

Dr Joe

.

The pond has some slow-free flowing water. As far as aeration? I have a very large fountain in the middle- does that count?

Wasn't planning on getting a filter.

Would Arawana's be able to take the winters here? How much is a pond heater? .

Keep in mind this is just shtz n giggles for me. So long as the fish don't die I am happy,


-Clueless in Va

 

[Muske]

Fountain provides some areation....

Filter would be real nice, or at least heavily planted shoreline.

Heater is a must for Arawana in VA.

You can do a couple Bass in that pond, and natives are the best bet for ya.

 

[Dr Joe]

The pond has some slow-free flowing water. As far as aeration? I have a very large fountain in the middle- does that count?

Wasn't planning on getting a filter.

Would Arawana's be able to take the winters here? How much is a pond heater? .

Keep in mind this is just shtz n giggles for me. So long as the fish don't die I am happy,


-Clueless in Va

Free-flowing as in a well or spring that overflows it or city water? If city water and they are using chlorimines you need to dechlor it first.

Fountain = splashing water = good start.

Lack of filtration/circulation with large meat eaters will cause problems in water quality fast.

Aro's need 75*F - 80*F so no .

Depends on how much heating you'll need. You could be seeing 50*F+ temp differentials and with an uninsulated pond your looking at something like a spa or pool heater (2500-5000w) to keep the temps from fluctuating (these fish don't like that).

If you don't want the maintenance stay with the natives and in a small quantity.

Dr Joe

.

 

[pondnewbie]

Sounds good Doc. Natives and in small amounts. There ARE biological agents that act as filtration, correct? Any route to go in that direction?

As for the Arawana's: they are too pretty to keep in a murky pond I suppose. But the idea of setting half a dozen duckings on the pond each week and watching the show was very appealing

 

[Yanbbrox]

How about ghost carp as an alternative? easily trained to feed form the hand, look good, no temp problems?

 

[Dr Joe]

Sounds good Doc. Natives and in small amounts. There ARE biological agents that act as filtration, correct? Any route to go in that direction?

As for the Arawana's: they are too pretty to keep in a murky pond I suppose. But the idea of setting half a dozen duckings on the pond each week and watching the show was very appealing

If that's your idea of fun, get a snapping turtle and put up a fence.

.

How about ghost carp as an alternative? easily trained to feed form the hand, look good, no temp problems?

I don't think we have Ghost carp here except by possible accidental breeding http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56459 Pretty fish tho.

Dr Joe

.

 

[pondnewbie]

There is, in fact, a large snapper in the pond. Very elusive- doesn't like people seeing him. You are say though, after a couple minutes qucking arounf, that turtle will get 'em just the same? Good enough.