How to Put Goldfish Into a Pond

Goldfish are best kept not in bowls but in a natural habitat--a self-sustaining outdoor pond with clean, clear water that provides the balance for both fishes and plants. Housed in a pond, goldfish can have adequate space for swimming and they can feed on a nutritious diet of live invertebrates, algae and assorted vegetation. Transferring goldfish from an indoor aquarium to an outdoor pond is simple but a few precautionary steps have to be followed.

Things You'll Need

  • Water testing kit
  • Water thermometer
  • Fish net
  • Plastic bin
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Instructions

    • 1

      Condition the pond water. A newly constructed pond must be cycled before introducing any fish. The water should be conditioned with a de-chlorinator solution and the beneficial bacteria allowed to grow over a period of 2 to 3 weeks.

    • 2

      Test the pond water. Use a water testing kit to determine if the water is already cycled and safe for fish. The ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings should be as close to zero as possible; if any of the readings are high, the water is not ready.

    • 3

      Check the water temperature. Avoid shocking the fish with a wide disparity in water temperatures. The closer the temperatures of the aquarium and outdoor pond, the better.

    • 4

      Transport the goldfish with care. Place aquarium water in a bin. Then catch the goldfish from the aquarium with a net, place them in the bin and take the bin to the pond area.

    • 5

      Lower the bin into the pond water and coach the fish to swim out of the bin.