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If you cannot fathom owning a pond without fish, you will need to pick the correct species for the stunning water feature. As many varieties are available, you might feel unsure about the best fish for your pond.
Don’t add the first fish you find, as each variety will have specific needs and behaviors. Some are surface feeders, while others will remain at the depths of the pond, which is why you may need to add a healthy mix.
Make an informed decision by learning about the four fish species to add to your pond in the UK.
Goldfish
Goldfish are one of the most popular fish species in garden ponds across the UK. The affordable fish is a great option for those on a small budget, and its abundant availability will help you find the fish for your pond.
If affordability and availability aren’t enough to convince you to add surface-feeding goldfish, you might be happy to learn they are strong, adaptable fish that can grow to a great size with plenty of food and healthy habitat. Create the perfect conditions by incorporating quality pond equipment from water-garden.co.uk.
Koi Carp
If you have a bigger budget, koi carp are a perfect pick for a large, well-filtered pond. The species will happily co-exist with other fish varieties, but its large size (they can grow to 75cm+ in length) may result in it dominating for food over smaller species. If you would prefer a mixed pond, only incorporate a few koi fish to ensure every species has a healthy, happy environment.
Koi carp are the opposite of goldfish for the price, as some options are worth thousands of pounds. If you incorporate expensive koi carp into your pond, you would be wise to boost your pond’s security.
Golden and Blue Orfe
If you are looking for an active, surface-feeding fish, golden and blue orfe are a wise choice for garden ponds in the UK. The bright orange golden orfe are easily spotted in the water and have a slim appearance with red fins.
Blue orfes have a white to blue hue with flecks of black or orange across their backs and flanks. Most orfes will swim together and away from other species and require an oxygen-rich pond to thrive.
Golden Rudd
Despite not being bred for captivity, the indigenous golden rudd thrives in ponds in the UK. It is a surface-feeding fish that will only feed on small items due to its small, upturned mouth.
Golden Rudd is an ideal option for a mixed garden pond, as they love to swim in shoals, which is why you must add at least half a dozen for them to flourish. Also, they will require more dissolved oxygen than many other fish species.
You can place the above fish species into any mixed pond in the UK, and they are likely to flourish in a healthy, clean, and spacious environment.