Urgent advice required on fish in recently aquired fish pond

[Lucy_lou]

I have just rented a house with a pond (approx 9x5ft). Previously the pond has been unmaintained for several years - in fact I was very surprised to see that any fish had survived. I have at least 6 orange 'goldfish' 1 large white fish with orange flecks and 15-20 small and large brown/black fish - which appear to have been mating with the 'goldfish' as there is one fish that looks like a 'goldfish' but is half orange and half black. From what I understand from another WAB member the smaller brown fish are baby goldfish...

I have just taken out the reed in the pond as it was overgrowing the pond - so you couldn't see the water... initially I just cut it back - but it started to grow out of control. I have put as much of the weed back in the pond as I can and am in the process of purchasing some more so the fish have more 02 - especially now that it is hot and I have no pump.

The pond once had a pump - but the electricity supply has been set up so that it is dangerous - so it has been removed.

I am no expert on fish or ponds - but here are a few of the things I need some help on:

Do I have too many fish for the size of my pond?
What weeds are the best 02 providers for ponds without pumps?
The black fish seem to be fighting the 'goldfish' - and there are quite a lot of them - should some be removed?
What type of fish do I have - orange 'goldfish', the black brown fish, the half orange/half black fish and the large white fish with orange flecks?
I had about 6 frogs and one toad when the reed was in the pond - but I haven't seen them since... will they return?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I really want to keep my new pond happy and make sure the fish can survive throughout the seasons.

I have some pictures in my image library.

Lucy_lou

[epops]

i just installed a pond but did'nt want to make it to artificial so i just bought one of these Solar oxygenator 1 Stone £19.95 i got the smallest one which suits my needs it comes on when the sun is out and off when it goes on to some this maybe not to pratocal but with the plants in the pond the fish tadpoles and frogs seem to be surviving as for the fish are the black one roach or rudd? or just goldfish reverting back to thier original colour?

[Dogghound]

It sounds like you have plenty of fish for the size of the pond I wouldnt buy to many more personally. The black fish are most likely goldfish, the fact they are fighting the other fish is likely that it is males you are seeing these will chase the females around the pond in an attempt to force them to lay eggs. All the fish could be goldfish or you could have some rudd/roach as epops said or the white fish could equally be a koi. Frogs, toads and lots of fish arnt perfect but they will tolorate fish to some extent. However removing reeds which act as cover may have discouraged them or they may simply be in the weed in the pond have a look at night with a tourch.

[Bullseye]

Dont worry,it will all balance out,but remember that at night so called oxygenating plants will absorb o2 and release co2 !.All plants do this,but in summer there is more daylight than dark.

[aland]

Good luck with the pond but do not get carried away with stocking up with to many fish like my wife she has that many they live in layers!!!, It would be better if you could have some sort of pump, plenty of plant life produces insects etc, for natural feed and also shady plants and a tree or bushes to keep of direct sunlight in some parts, to much sun creates algae!, aland.
p/s baby goldfish are usually black with some gold, you do not mention fins this can be a give away, it is unlikely that you have any fish that will do any damage to others .

[weirdwolf]

Originally Posted by aland

Good luck with the pond but do not get carried away with stocking up with to many fish like my wife she has that many they live in layers!!!,

It sounds like you should suggest that she doesn't go for goldfish next time and buys sardines instead! ;-)

[tom00_uk]

the black ones are more than likley "goldfish" that have yet to change colour

[Lucy_lou]

Thanks for all your great advice guys... the solar stone sounds like a great idea! I'll keep you posted on how the fish get on L

[cat72uk]

do post some pics if you can
its sounds like you are doing a good job
i love ponds its a shame when some 1 finds a pond in a garden and just rips it out
keep up the good work they are so rewarding