Red fish for the garden pond. How to choose the right fish for your pond
Goldfish are very elegant animals and perfect for animating your outdoor
pool. Resistant and inexpensive, they have beautiful orange, red, yellow, and
white colors for the pleasure of the eyes. However, goldfish have very specific
needs in terms of feeding, care, water volume, and basin depth.
It cannot also coexist with any species. An ornamental pond is a space
whose ecological balance is fragile and which must be respected for the
well-being of its occupants. Find out who the goldfish for the garden pond is in
this complete folder.
Who's the goldfish?
The common goldfish (Carassius auratus) is the most common animal found
in outdoor pools. It is particularly resistant and reproduces easily while
being inexpensive. Its average adult size is usually 20 cm, but some specimens
can reach 30-40 cm.
The goldfish is an ornamental fish that has been bred for more than four
millennia in China and imported into Europe in the late 17th century.
We talk about goldfish, but in reality, these small animals can also be
yellow, orange, or even white.
There are several varieties of goldfish:
- The Shunbukin: of orange, red, black, and white color, the Shunbukin is a small variety that cannot exceed 20 cm.
- Comet Sarasa: like the Shunbukin, the Comet Sarasa cannot exceed 20 cm. It is appreciated for its combination of red and white.
- Some species are more fragile, such as the goldfish with the Lion's Head, the Black Moon, or the Telescope. Slower and more sensitive to the cold, they are adapted to the interior more than to live in a pool. However, it is possible to release them outside only when May arrives and to return them again in late autumn when the cold arrives.
Goldfish move relatively slowly, making them easy prey for predators. If
it is essentially vegetarian, it can eat some insects and aquatic animals to
feed itself.
Goldfish breed very quickly, so it is not recommended to put too much in
a pond. These animals need space and balance; overpopulation disturbs the
natural balance of the basin and can eventually eliminate it. Allow 0.2 m3 per
fish to provide sufficient space for adults.
Resistant and hardy, goldfish can withstand harsh outdoor temperatures
in the middle of winter or even the formation of an ice layer on the surface
of the basin. However, to be able to resist, the pool must be relatively deep, at least 1 meter so that it can hide in its depths
and warm up in the mud that is deposited there. In summer, this depth allows it
to cool down and withstand the hot weather without suffering. Finally, a deep
pond is a protection for your goldfish, as they can more easily hide and avoid
predators like cats and some birds like herons.
What treatments are suitable for goldfish?
When buying goldfish for your pool, take them in groups of at least 5.
Always use the following amount: 5 goldfish per 1 000 liters of water in the
basin.
Give them a digested, light, well-dosed goldfish diet with vitamins and
minerals. Goldfish eat little, so invest in quality, well-balanced food for
their needs so they can grow healthy and live longer.
Goldfish don't have to eat every day. You can leave for two or three
days without any distribution. Beyond that, however, there is a cash machine
and you can ask for the services of a good neighbor or relative.
In winter, the cold makes goldfish almost hibernate. So he has less need
to eat. One distribution per week is usually sufficient, or much less.
Make sure you have a pool adapted to goldfish
Your pool will need to be adapted to the needs of your goldfish to make
them feel good and grow there.
Good depth
As we said, your goldfish need enough depth to live well in your pool.
Ideally, expect to measure 1 meter, at least 26 inches. This depth protects
them from freezing cold, summer heat, and year-round predators!
Sufficient water volume
Your goldfish need space to live well. Remember that they will grow
quickly, up to a length of 20 cm, or even up to 40 cm for some! Ideally, allow
0.2 m3 per fish.
Be careful also of the space depending on the species with which your
goldfish is alive! Indeed, the Koi Carp needs at least 1 m3 per specimen, and the
sturgeon needs 20 m3!
Good maintenance
Your goldfish need clean water, a well-maintained natural garden pond,
and the ideal ecological balance. Remember to remove the dead leaves regularly
so that they do not have time to rot and settle in the bottom. A bottom vacuum
will also allow you to remove excess mud. Always leave a little to allow your
goldfish to scratch in search of food and hide there if they need it.
Beware of roommates!
You can mix the fish species in your pool, but not all will get along
with your goldfish! Be sure to find out before buying, as some species eat
goldfish. And each has unique space, volume, and power requirements. Think of
good associations!
Avoid fragile goldfish
Some areas of goldfish are very sensitive to cold and may not survive a
harsh winter. So prefer the classic goldfish or the Shunbukins, which you can
make cohabit with the Koi Carp, and avoid Comets, Black Moons, and Lion Heads.