cherylad
 Regular Plants Contributor
S. Liberty County - Texas
Posts: 4185
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| Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:16 pm Post subject: Fish Suggestion for Container Pond |
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I'm thinking about adding some fish to my water container pond. It's 2 foot tall and about 1.5 feet wide.
I have water lilies, Parrot Feather, Cat Tails, and Horsetail Rush. There is no aeration or fountain feature (because I've read that water lilies don't like a lot of "motion").
Some sites say to use guppies. But don't guppies need aeration to live?
I know that regular old gold fish don't need aeration. But would they survive the heat of our SE Texas summers?
Another site mentioned using minnows. Another said something about catfish.
I'd like some sort of colorful fish so those two options don't appeal to me. But if that's what's best for the entire ecosystem... so be it.
So, know I'm confused.
Before I go to the fish store and start asking questions... I thought I'd ask for suggestions here. I trust you all more than some kid at the pet store!
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eileen
Forum Moderator
Scotland
Posts: 18013
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| Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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The best types of small hardy fish to try for comtainer ponds Cheryl are native species. I wouldn't advise you to get any type of fish that is thought of as tropical as they require specialised attention. Small goldfish may be a good bet if you want something colourful. They should survive the heat OK as long as they get plenty of shade in the afternoon and have plants to shelter under. Remember if your pond is likely to freeze solid during winter months then you'll have to be sure to bring them indoors to an aquarium or have some type of heating to stop the ice from forming.
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cherylad
Regular Plants Contributor
S. Liberty County - Texas
Posts: 4185
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| Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Eileen....
As far as finding "native" fish... where/how would I go about getting some? A bait shop? Or just go down to the river and see if I can scoop up some?
Even though it freezes here, I don't think it would be cold enough for long enough to freeze any more than just the surface. But will keep in mind that the fish may have to be moved inside.
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eileen
Forum Moderator
Scotland
Posts: 18013
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| Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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When my children were small we set up an outside tub 'aquarium' for them Cheryl. We took a trip down to the river and managed to get some sticklebacks, minnows and stone loaches. There were also some tiny shrimps in our nets. If there's a large pond, river or stream anywhere near you it's worth having a go at seeing what you can catch. If your tub won't freeze solid then goldfish come in lots of varieties nowadays and are very pretty and much easier to get. 
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Delly
Quizmaster
Clintwood Virginia
Posts: 312
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| Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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When I set up my pond in Tennessee years ago I went to petsmart and bought some 25 cent comet goldfish....they all survived for over 5 years (until i had to move) and they flourished. They are colorful, they add movement and they are very hardy!
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cherylad
Regular Plants Contributor
S. Liberty County - Texas
Posts: 4185
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| Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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I live right on the river... so getting some fish would be easy. However... just going to buy some cheap goldfish would be even easier! 
Are the comet goldfish the same as feeder fish?
I'd imagine that just two would be plenty for a container my size?
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Jewell
Regular Plants Contributor
Puget Sound Region of the Pacific NW (Washington State, US)
Posts: 1590
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| Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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I've tried goldfish/feeders for my smaller ponds, but they usually don't last more than a year or two. The goldfish stay pretty small since the ponds are small. I have found that there is no mosquito problem because dragon fly larva are also in these little ponds. They aren't flashy, but they are fairly long lived (6-7 years) before becoming dragon flies and nature provides them regularly, and they are free and effortless.
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~Jewell
If a you have but two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one to sustain your life, and a flower with the other to give you a reason to live. ~Chinese Proverb
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cherylad
Regular Plants Contributor
S. Liberty County - Texas
Posts: 4185
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| Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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We have lots of dragon flies... so they are more than welcome to take up residency.
I do have some Mosquito Dunk in the container ponds... just to be extra safe.
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eileen
Forum Moderator
Scotland
Posts: 18013
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| Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:28 pm Post subject: |
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Cheryl as Dragonfly nymphs grow they will eat small fish and tadpoles so maybe it's not the best idea to have them where you'll be keeping your fish. The adults aren't a problem though as they mainly prey on mosquitoes.
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Jewell
Regular Plants Contributor
Puget Sound Region of the Pacific NW (Washington State, US)
Posts: 1590
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| Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 11:08 pm Post subject: |
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"giggle"
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~Jewell
If a you have but two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one to sustain your life, and a flower with the other to give you a reason to live. ~Chinese Proverb
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cherylad
Regular Plants Contributor
S. Liberty County - Texas
Posts: 4185
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| Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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Too funny Kildale!
I stopped and bought a couple of the Comet Goldfish (27 cents each). We'll see how they do.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
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poppylover
Malaysia
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 2:22 pm Post subject: |
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Ohhh..you bought comet already?..
32°C all year round in Malaysia, I used to keep guppy in one of my dad's left over homebase material----porcelain sink (no aeration at all), only put parrot feather and water lettuce in my little sink and the colony of guppy just non-stop 'blooming'..
colorful guppies ( photo / image / picture from poppylover's Garden )
water lettuce ( photo / image / picture from poppylover's Garden )
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cherylad
Regular Plants Contributor
S. Liberty County - Texas
Posts: 4185
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| Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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Such a lovely collection of guppies! So many colors! And I like the look of the water lettuce. I just have a small bit of the Parrot Feather, but will be getting more. I really like the way they look.
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poppylover
Malaysia
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Chery,
The picture I got it on net  ..is to lure you buying them  But my childhood guppies look exactly like that ..Beware of the male guppies (the most beautiful tails)not sure the female will do the same, they will eat the baby guppy, so as soon as you spot on the baby guppy..please separate them from the adult...hope to see your little pond picture
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