Pond Fish Care Guide (careguides brochure), permaculture
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Pond fish
care guide
Beautifully simple water gardening
www.lagunaponds.com
Fish Care Guide
Selecting fish
Fish add color, movement and grace to your water
T
he size of your pond will help determine the number of fish it can accommodate.
Overstocking needs to be avoided as fish produce waste. This waste is
potentially toxic to them so it is better to have too few than too many. Fish will often
reproduce and grow quickly in a pond environment. A general rule of thumb is to
allow 1 inch (2 cm) of fish for every 13 gallons (50 liters) of water.
garden. It is important to remember that they are
living creatures. Treat them with care and they will
NOTE: Koi are specialized fish and need more space in a pond than goldfish.
repay you with years of enjoyment.
Tips for selecting healthy fish:
•
Clear Eyes (not cloudy)
•
Undamaged fins
•
Scales should be intact, parallel with body (not sticking outwards) and no red blotches
•
No holes, ulcerations, or lumps
•
Active, lively, normal swimming patterns
•
No white spots (salt grain size) or white cottony growths on the fins or body
•
Respiration rate should be regular and steady (in unstressed circumstances)
•
Gills should be red inside, not faded or discolored, and not distended or puffy.
•
Actively feeding
•
Avoid selecting fish from a system that contains any sick specimens
Choosing fish that are healthy from the beginning will help avoid problems.
Selecting fish
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Goldfish:
Goldfish can be kept in smaller ponds than Koi. They have been
cultured for centuries and a variety of different species are
available. Among the characteristics that determine the differ-
ent varieties are tail length, color, and the absence of a dorsal
fin. Goldfish can grow to 12 inches (30 cm) in length.
Common varieties include: Sarasa, Comets, Red Fantails and
Shubunkins.
Nitrogen Cycle
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Introducing fish to your pond
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Feeding your pond fish
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6-8
Fish care
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Koi:
Koi (carp) are the most well recognized pond fish. They come in
a variety of different color patterns. Some koi have been
reported to live up to 75 years and reach over 3 feet (0.9
meters) in length.
Wintering your fish
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Re-introducing your fish in the spring
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Nitrogen Cycle
Introducing fish to your pond
T
reat your pond fish with great care. Any handling or transportation, even
introducing them to your pond will cause stress.
Introduce your fish to the pond slowly,
matching the water temperature by
floating the bag in the pond before
release. Keep in a shaded area as the
sun can quickly raise the temperature in
the bag.
Additionally, you can add a small
amount pond water to the bag to help
them get used to any differences there
may be in the quality of water.
T
he Nitrogen Cycle refers to the conversion of toxic compounds (ammonia and nitrite)
Beneficial bacteria take time to establish themselves. Nitrifying bacteria reproduce
every eight hours. The first nitrifying bacteria to populate tend to be nitrosomonas,
which convert ammonia to nitrite. This takes approximately ten days, if the pond is
not supplemented with Laguna Bio Booster. The use of Laguna Bio Booster is highly
recommended to introduce significant quantities of ideal bacterial strains, critical for
rapid biological establishment and purification of pond water.
The second group of nitrifying bacteria to populate the pond are nitrobacter, which convert
nitrite to nitrate. This period takes up to twenty-one days, after which nitrite should be almost
gone. We recommend supplementation with Laguna Bio Booster to speed up the process.
This is very important in the spring when the water temperature reaches 50°F (10°C).
Nitrite is a very toxic compound. When present in high concentrations, it is lethal and can
affect red blood cells of fish. Should nitrite levels persist for more than twenty-one days, partial
water changes should be performed, along with supplemental doses of Laguna Bio Booster.
It is important to understand that water chemistry, temperature, pollutants and other fac-
tors can affect the performance of nitrifying beneficial bacteria. Maintaining stable pH and
water quality is important for all pond inhabitants, even for those that are invisible to the
human eye, specifically, beneficial bacteria. Although ammonia and nitrite readings may be
zero, after approximately one month, the pond has not reached full biological stability.
After approximately 20 minutes of this
gradual introduction process your may
release your fish into their new home.
Any handling of the fish should be
minimal and only a soft net should be
used.
TIP
Treat your pond water with Laguna Water Prep before adding fish. It eliminates
harmful chlorine or chloramine from newly added tap water, immediately
making pond water safe. It will also neutralize toxic metal ions before they can
harm fish. In addition, it coats and protects fins and scales that could have been
damaged when fish were handled or transported.
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Feeding your pond fish
Feeding your pond fish
I
t is important to feed your pond fish a high quality diet, like Laguna Premium Koi
and Goldfish food, to supplement the natural foods that are found in your pond
(such as insects and plant matter). By feeding your fish a quality food you are
ensuring that they are receiving a correctly-balanced diet.
D
epending on the water temperature, pond fish have different nutritional
requirements and feeding habits. At water temperatures of 50° F (10° C) or
above, fish feed up to four times daily, but only as much as they can consume in
two minutes. It is better to feed in small portions where everything is eaten,
resulting in less waste and pollution.
Laguna Goldfish and Koi foods are highly nutritional, easy to digest and contain an
ideal combination of vitamins and minerals including stabilized vitamin C which
helps improve disease resistance, allowing fish to live long, healthy lives. As a
result of Laguna’s superior formulation, fish do not require as much food and less
waste is produced.
In winter, when the water temperature drops below 45° F (7° C), pond fish
require no food. At below freezing temperatures fish become dormant.
Never overfeed your fish. Excess food will pollute the pond water, so only feed
amounts that will be completely consumed by your fish within 2 minutes.
TIP
It is important to ensure that you do not feed your fish too early in
the season. Koi and goldfish have trouble digesting food at colder
water temperatures. Start feeding when the water temperature
reaches 47 ºF (8 ºC). Make sure that you have a good thermometer
so you’ll know when it’s time to start feeding.
Laguna Floating Thermometer is ideal. The thermometer includes an
easy viewing window with large temperature indications for quick
readings. It comes with a handy anchoring cord and is designed to
float on the water surface for easy access.
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Feeding your pond fish
Fish care
All Season Flake Food
(PT-108) 12 oz/350 g
O
bservation and daily verification of your pond fish is an important preventative
measure. A quick daily check will reveal problems before they become serious.
• For all seasons, when water
temperature is above 50°F (10°C)
• Complete balanced diet for all cold
water fish
• Flake is ideal for small to medium
size fish
Aside from a daily check on the health of your fish the main form of care you
will be giving them is their daily feedings. In a pond where there is a good bal-
ance of plants, wildlife and fish there are plenty of natural foods, but in order to
ensure that your fish are receiving a properly balanced diet feed them a good
quality fish food.
Disease Prevention
Most living organisms can suffer illness at one time or another. The most
effective way to deal with this reality is to prevent, rather than wait for a
possible problem or symptom. The consequences of having to treat a stocked
pond with a medication can be stressful and damaging in itself. Many plants,
fish and helpful bacteria can suffer as a result of using medication. Feeding a
quality food and maintaining ideal water conditions will ensure fish health.
All Season Food Sticks
(PT-112) 8.5 oz/240 g
(PT-113) 17 oz/480 g
(PT-114) 3.3 lb/1.5 kg
• For all seasons, when water
temperature is above 50°F (10°C)
• High quality staple diet
• For all size fish
Tips for disease prevention:
•
Choose only healthy fish
•
Purchase fish in limited groups, slowly build fish populations.
•
Follow proper acclimation of new specimens.
•
Always condition new water properly. Chlorine, chloramine, and metals are
damaging to inhabitants. Use Laguna Water Prep.
•
Perform basic water tests and maintenance on a regular basis.
•
If a medication has been used, after the treatment is complete, perform
additional water changes and use carbon to remove residual traces.
•
Supply regular feedings with a high quality diet such as Laguna Goldfish and
Koi foods.
Spirulina & Wheat Germ
Food Sticks
(PT-117) 10.5 oz/300 g
(PT-118) 21 oz/600 g
(PT-119) 2.2 lb/1 kg
• For spring & fall, when water
temperature is above 47°F (8°C)
• High grade spirulina and
wheat germ
• For all size fish
Color Enhancing Food Sticks
(PT-122) 11 oz/310 g
(PT-123) 22 oz/620 g
(PT-124) 3.3 lb/1.5 kg
• For all seasons, when water
temperature is above 50°F (10°C)
• Highly nutritious sticks, rich in krill
and shrimp
• Natural color enhancing formula
• For all size fish
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