fish in wildlife pond

[lfphotography]

Would it be ok to have a few minnows,roach and rudd in a wildlife pond?

[Dogghound]

It depends on the size of the pond and what you are managing it for, or what species you are trying to encourage. In a general context fish will reduce water quality and predate and compete with other wildlife. They are also real problem to remove once they go in. I generally feel a wildlife pond should be exactly that and have no introductions other than native plants. All three species are capable of rapid reproduction and could cause problems.

Photo's, details of key species within the pond and what you want to achieve with the pond would be helpful.

[Billabong Karen]

You'll be so fascinated by all the wildlife in the pond you wont miss the fish!

[King Edward]

I agree with the two replies above - best to leave the fish out. The pond you described on your other thread sounds quite small, and is hopefully already providing a habitat for a range of pond species many of which do not coexist well with fish. For instance, frogs, newts, water beetles, dragonflies and damselflies will all do better without fish to eat them and/or their larvae. For photos, breeding frogs in the early spring would be good, and emerging dragon/damselflies in the summer are also good to photograph (and not too difficult).

For kingfishers, I think you'd do better setting up a suitable perch alongside a local lake/river where you know they occur, and waiting concealed with your camera until one turns up. Might need to be pretty patient, though (and well prepared).

[aquarian31]

I'm afraid to have to say that should you put fish in the wildlife pond without the authorised consent of the Environment Agency, you will be committing a criminal offence.....! Don't do it!
if Amphibia are present such as GC newts, the fish may predate on the eggs and larvae and thats the reson for the consent which is cross referenced with Natural England.

[artdemole]

The pond may have less water on occasions so would be no good for fish.