How to Put Goldfish in a Farm Pond

Farm ponds are typically man-made structures used for practical and recreational applications. Goldfish, being native to freshwater ponds, thrive well in farm pond environments with little maintenance. In contrast to their bowl-inhabiting counterparts, pond goldfish can grow to up to a foot or longer, and live for many years. To effectively support goldfish, the ideal farm pond should have a surface area of at least one acre, and should be 10 to 12 feet deep in 25 percent of the pond.

Things You'll Need

  • Algaecide
  • pH testing kit
  • Plastic bags
  • Towels
  • Net
  • Fish food pellets
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove excess algae from your pond. Some algae is unavoidable and harmless, but if you notice algae floating on the surface of the pond, you should eliminate it to avoid harming your fish. Apply a natural algaecide to your pond prior to introducing the fish.

    • 2

      Test your pH levels to make sure your pond can support goldfish life. Goldfish need a pH between 6 and 8.

    • 3

      Choose the right goldfish for your pond. Comets are a hardy variety that can survive long, severe winters. Ryukins and the Shubunkins are also good choices. Black Moor, Lionhead, Bubble Eye and Ranchu will also survive in ponds, and have distinctive, eponymous physical characteristics. Koi are ornamental and popular, but aggressive and prone to disease.

    • 4

      Place goldfish in plastic bags filled with the water they currently live in. Place the bags in your pond and let them float for a half-hour to adjust to the pond temperature. If the pond is in direct sunlight, cover the bags with a towel to prevent it from overheating. If you're worried about the bags floating away, hold the edge of the bags during this time.

    • 5

      Open the bag and allow a little water to flow in. Do this a few times over a 10-minute period to allow fish to adapt to pond chemistry.

    • 6

      Gently remove fish from the bags using a net. Place the fish into the pond.

    • 7

      Feed fish goldfish pellets every day. Only feed enough that they will eat in five minutes, and wait a day after introducing fish to the pond before feeding them.