Too late for fish?

[Kevin1964]

Hello all,
I have just created a new pond, 5000litres, and would like to stock it with fish (probably goldfish). I have installed a suitable filter but upon looking for oxygenating plants several places told me that it is too late in the season. Does that mean that any fish I introduce will not survive? Would a pond air pump be a suitable substitute until next spring?

Thank you for any advice that you can give, Kevin.

[werdnal]

Hi,

Whilst you are very welcome, I am afraid that being a wildlife based forum, you may not get very helpful replies to your goldfish queries. It is generally thought that goldfish and wildlife in ponds do not mix well, so you may be better finding a forum dedicated to fish keeping and asking there.

On the other hand, you could join the many members here who keep their ponds fish-free for the benefit of our native amphibians and aquatic life. You may indeed find that goldfish are not happy during the winter, especially in a new pond, but in a matter of weeks, your local wildlife will be reaping the benefit of this new habitat. Why not put the fish on hold, atleast until the spring, and wait and see what other things miraculously find your pond of their own accord. You will be amazed how quickly creatures will colonise it without your help or invitation!

[Kayleigh]

Lots of members here who love wildlife also keep fish I have a couple of tench in my pond I wish I had not put them in but they are there now and I cant catch them or have anywhere else to put them if I did..
Wildlife like frogs ect will live along side fish but will be lower numbers..
The fish should survive the winter if you get them from an out door supplier as they will be hardy I had one die but was in a barrel but in a pond they will go to the bottom to over winter some hardened fish still die through the winter so there is still time to put some in if that's what you want to do..
Remember pumps and filters kill newts so try to limit this by encasing the pump in some mesh..

Good luck..

[tom00_uk]

theres no need for aeration unless you like the visual effect created

plenty of time left for stocking plants, though you might have to shop online

for fish, how long has the pond been set up? has it cycled, id personally hold off until next spring, when the invert numbers have built up and provided a food source and the water has stabilised

most modern pumps have a degree of planning for water life in mind, unless you have no pre screening that is. this is more the swimming pool style pumps that get used in koi ponds,

I have a pump in my pond and its teaming with all the inverts you would expect out in the flow in a stream, lots of shredders, scavengers and hunters making the most of the food being brought to them