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Creating a small pond in your backyard can be a rewarding experience, especially when you populate it with vibrant small pond fish. These little swimmers not only add life to your pond but also create a serene environment that enhances your outdoor space. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting, caring for, and maintaining small pond fish. Scaly friends are pretty easy to raise as long as you look after your water quality and make sure you do not overpopulate your pond.
Let us start with what I am defining as a “small” pond… For this discussion, a small backyard pond is anywhere from a couple of hundred gallons to several thousand, and with surface areas from less than 50 (6ft x 8ft) square feet up to around 2,000 (40ft x 50ft) square feet. These ponds are generally shallow, 2-4ft deep, and have some sort of filtration/waterfall apparatus attached to them to help you keep a handle on water quality.
Small backyard ponds are not big enough to take care of themselves. They require input from you (the de facto pond steward) to keep all things in balance and all fishes happy…
These types of ponds are excellent habitats for larger species like koi and assorted gamefish. For this list, I will focus on the smaller species that make up the base of your pond ecosystem. These fascinating little guys are not flashy but can add interest and diversity to your backyard aquatic haven.
Choosing the right species is crucial for a thriving pond. Here are some top picks:
Goldfish: Ideal for beginners, goldfish are hardy and come in various colors and patterns.
Adaptable and can survive in many different pond conditions and are cold hardy.
Goldfish (depending on the variety) can grow to about 8-10 inches in length
Will reproduce successfully in most pond conditions
Many growth forms/sub-species to choose from
(hubpages.com, pinterest.com, inspiredpencil.com, tropical-fish-keeping.com)
Minnows: Perfect for small ponds, minnows are low-maintenance and do well in groups. They are also excellent for controlling mosquito larvae.
Most species can achieve a max length of 6 inches or less
Great for forage for your larger gamefish
Native species are cold, hardy, and will reproduce in most ponds
Golden Shiner (redit.com)
Fathead Minnow (ncfishes.com)
Rosy Red Minnow (fishkeepingworkd.com)
Guppies: Known for their bright colors and active behavior, guppies are a great addition to small ponds.
Easy to care for and breed quickly
Many different species, lots to choose from
Tropical fish - not cold tolerant
Wee tiny little things - Just an inch or two long
(popoptiq.com)
Sunfish: Small species like the Pumpkinseed Sunfish are colorful and add diversity to your pond ecosystem.
Native sunfish species are numerous (Bluegill, Redear, Green, etc) and are easy to raise and forage well on their own
Cold ready - hardy and colorful
5-8 inches is the normal adult size for these active schooling lovelies
Bluegill (fishontips.com)
Pumpkinseed (animals.sandiegozoo.org)
Before adding fish, it's essential to create a suitable environment:
Pond Size and Depth: Even small ponds need enough depth—at least 2 feet—to protect fish from predators and temperature fluctuations. The more water volume you have, the more fish can be happy in your pond.
NOTE: Ponds constructed in town may be subject to local rules and regulations. Know the rules in your community so you do not run foul of the neighborhood Karens.
Water Quality: Regularly test the water for pH levels, ammonia, and nitrites. Aim for a pH between 6.8 and 8.0 and ensure that ammonia and nitrite levels are close to zero.
Good water quality is imperative in small ponds where conditions can change suddenly. Monitor your pond and keep an eye on the weather – sudden heat, cold, and/or torrential rain can quickly mess with your pond’s balance.
Filtration System: A good filtration system keeps the water clean and provides aeration. Consider using both mechanical and biological filters.
Aquatic Plants: Plants like water lilies and duckweed provide shade, oxygen, and hiding spots for fish while also helping to balance the pond's ecosystem. Bog filters are also a fantastic water quality enhancement for your small pond - great for local wildlife too.
Ongoing care is key to keeping your fish healthy:
Feeding: Feed your fish once or twice a day with high-quality fish food. Avoid overfeeding, as uneaten food can pollute the water.
Most of the fish in this list require very little supplemental food in a pond that has a well-established ecosystem. The pond provides a lot to eat to feed your small fish sparingly unless it is truly needed.
Seasonal Care: During winter, ensure that your pond doesn't freeze entirely. You can use a pond heater or de-icer to maintain an opening in the ice. In summer, watch for signs of overheating and add aeration if needed.
A thick ice cap is not ideal for small backyard ponds. Maintain a hole in the ice to let the bad gasses out and oxygen in.
You can use your waterfall pump during the winter months - simply remove it from the skimmer and place it in the main pond to cycle water towards the surface. This works best with small pumps (500GPH-1500GPH) as too big a pump is a bit too aggressive for our wee scally friends.
Summertime aeration and circulation is a must for good water quality
Health Monitoring: Regularly observe your fish for signs of illness, such as unusual swimming patterns, discoloration, or spots. Quarantine any new fish before introducing them to the pond.
Before you buy fish, keep these factors in mind:
Climate: Choose fish that can thrive in your local climate. Some species are more tolerant of temperature fluctuations than others.
Pond Size: Avoid overcrowding your pond. A general rule is 1 inch of fish per square foot of pond surface area.
Compatibility: Ensure that the species you select can coexist peacefully. Some fish are territorial or aggressive and may not be suitable for community ponds.
To keep your pond and fish in top condition, follow these tips:
Regular Cleaning: Remove debris like leaves and algae regularly. Consider using a pond skimmer or vacuum.
Spring cleanouts are a necessity. A good cleanout helps your pond all summer.
Spring Pond Cleanout: Essential for Aesthetics and Fish Health
Water Changes: For small container ponds, replace 10-20% of the pond water every few weeks to maintain water quality.
Check Equipment: Regularly inspect your filtration and aeration systems to ensure they are functioning properly.
Do weekly maintenance on your pond. They call them water GARDENS for a reason
A: Feed them once or twice a day with a quantity they can consume within 2-3 minutes. Overfeeding can harm the water quality.
A: Tropical fish can be kept in outdoor ponds in warm climates or during summer, but they generally require more stable, warm water conditions.
A: Use a pond heater or de-icer to keep a small area of the pond ice-free, allowing for gas exchange to prevent fish from suffocating.
A: Introduce algae-eating fish, use UV clarifiers, and ensure your pond has the right balance of plants to limit algae growth.
