 Free Online Articles Directory |
|||||||
Home Page  Home and Family Gardening Choosing Fish for the Garden Pond |
|||||||
 |
Choosing Fish for the Garden Pond
Once a new garden pond has been planted and the waterlilies and other aquatic plants have been established for four or five weeks, ornamental fish can be introduced. There is no minimum number of fish necessary for a pond, although without any fish at all it will become a nursery for mosquitoes and there will be little chance of controlling aquatic insect pests. Even for the pond-keeper with little interest in ornamental fish, it is prudent to introduce half a dozen merely to control insect life. The majority of pond-keepers find fish as important as plants, especially those who have a young family. Children love fish, although there is a danger of over-stocking, for there never seems to be enough in any pond for young children. There is also impatience to get the new pond stocked immediately it is filled with water. This must be resisted until the plants have had an opportunity to establish. While there is no minimum requirement for fish, there is a maximum number that should not be exceeded. The most satisfactory stocking rate is 2ins length of fish to every 1 square foot of surface area. This is not of the total surface area of the pond but of open water uncluttered by marginal plants. This rate of stocking permits growth and development of the fish and makes natural breeding likely. Fish enthusiasts will often stock more heavily than this, but an absolute maximum is 6ins to every 1 square foot of surface area. When purchasing fish a good guide as to whether they are healthy is the condition of their fins. Stout upright dorsal fins and well-expanded ventral fins are an indication of good health and this can be confirmed if the eyes are clear and bright as well. An obvious consideration when selecting fish is their liveliness. However, while a lively fish is likely to be a healthy fish, it could equally be a very hungry fish. It is common practice with many fish retailers to keep the fish a little hungry. This ensures that they swim and dart about the tank in search of morsels of food and therefore appear livelier than they would ordinarily. An added bonus is the reduction in the fouling in the tank. With small fish it is important to see that there are no damaged or missing scales as exposed tissue is very susceptible to fungal infection. The same applies to larger specimens, although it is not so critical, and the likelihood of finding a large fish that has no scales missing is fairly remote. If an otherwise healthy fish has a few scales missing, then dip it in a proprietary fungus cure. It is prudent in any event to treat all newly purchased fish in this way as a precaution before introducing them to the pond.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/choosing-fish-for-the-garden-pond-21831.html About the Author:
Philip Swindells has over 40 years gardening experience. A former botanical garden curator and an international horticultural consultant, he has worked extensively in the UK, North America, the Middle East and Australia. The Author of more than 50 gardening books, he has been awarded a Quill and Trowel Award by the Garden Writers' Association of America. He is also a former UK Garden Writer of the Year. He is currently editor of http://www.internationalwatergardener.com
Related ArticlesWaterlilies Planting a Garden Pond How to Grow the Sacred Lotus or Nelumbo "in the Beginning...." Genesis 1:1 A Water Garden Kit Has Everything You Need For A Great Water Garden Creating a Balanced Garden Pond Maintaining Water Quality in a Garden Pond Clowning Around With The Black Clownfish Got a Question? Ask.Ask the community a question about this article:Frequently Asked Questions Does anyone know how often I need to change the membrane under the gravel in my garden? What are the best solar garden lights? the ... My pool is cloudy and I use an ozone system, How ... Fish die after a cople of days in the fish tank Pregenant Fish Trout in a swimming pool Q&A Powered by:
 Latest Gardening ArticlesThe Best Season for Garden Design 10 Weed Prevention Tips Composting - is it Just a Load of Rubbish? What is a Weed? Know Your Enemy Tucson Landscaping: How to Save Water with Your Landscape Phoenix Landscaping: How to Choose a Landscaper Scottsdale Landscaping: How to Save Time and Money on Your Project How to Do Hydroponics More from Philip SwindellsMaintaining Water Quality in a Garden Pond How to Grow the Sacred Lotus or Nelumbo Coping With Algae in the Garden Pond Creating a Balanced Garden Pond Garden Pond Construction Making a Garden Pond With a Pond Liner Planting a Garden Pond Waterlilies |
|
|||||
|
Article Categories
|
|||||||
 Sign up for our email newsletterReceive updates, enter your email below
Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.22, 17) |
|||||||
