Outdoor Pond Stocking Ideas

[Alec]

I am in the process of building an outdoor pond and am not sure what to stock it with. 

I live in Indiana and do not have a place to bring the fish in over the winter, so they would need to be cold water tolerate. I have a 145 gallon pond. 

I've seen before where people will build a DIY "greenhouse" to go over top of thr pond to help warm it during the winter. 

So, does anyone have stocking ideas or have a similar situation?

[Shadow_Arbor]

I'd highly recommend Medaka Ricefish. They are cold hardy, beautiful, and interesting to breed. I'm trying to get a hold of some for my outdoor ponds. Trying to import them into my country as we don't have any here at all.

[Patrick_G]

 I love my Sarasa Comets and Shubunkins

 

[Alec]

@Patrick_G what size is that pond? And how old and how big are your fish? 

Edited May 6, 2021 by Alec

[Patrick_G]

It’s 4’x2’x2’ and about 100g. I think the average size is about 6” and the oldest fish are probably 3 years. I have three Commons, two Comets and a Shubunkin. They seem happy and take food from our hands. Nitrates are under control and I haven’t needed many water changes. I’ll move them to a larger pond at some point, but for now I’m happy.