How to Raise Fish in Ponds

A fish pond can add a relaxing element to any back yard, and raising your own fish in that pond can be quite rewarding. While installing a pond in your back yard does require a bit of knowledge, planning and skill, it is a job that is well within the reach of the average do-it-yourselfer. The key is to understand the needs of the fish and make sure they have what they need to thrive in your back yard.

Things You'll Need

  • Pump
  • Pond filter
  • Floating plants
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the location of the pond and make sure it is deep enough so that the water does not freeze completely even in the coldest weather. To survive and reproduce, your fish need a safe place to escape the ice.

    • 2

      Choose fish that prefer cold water, like goldfish and koi. Most tropical fish will not do well in a pond environment, since the water will simply be too cold, even in warm climates.

    • 3

      Install a quality pond filter to keep the water clean and the fish healthy. Choose a filtration system designed specifically for ponds, and not one designed for an aquarium. Even a small pond holds much more water than a large aquarium, and the filtration system needs to be quite robust to keep all that water clean.

    • 4

      Change the filter pads on a regular basis to keep the water clean. Use only filters designed for your model of pond filter.

    • 5

      Use a quality aquarium pump to keep the water moving and prevent it from becoming stagnant. Use a pump designed specifically for ponds---aquarium pumps do not have enough power for ponds.

    • 6

      Add lots of floating plants to your pond. These floating plants will provide a ready spawning area for your goldfish and koi, as well as a place for the newly hatched fry to hide.