POND FISH
Fish are the vital ingredient that add colour, movement
and life to a pond. Don't be in too much of a hurry.
Allow a couple of weeks to elapse after planting
before you make your first fish purchases. The splash
created by a fountain or waterfall is beneficial
to fish. It increases the oxygen content or the
water and releases carbon dioxide; this is particularly
important in the heat of the summer when your pump
should be left running 24 hours a day. Filtration
improves water quality and is a valuable aid to
successful fishkeeping - see section on Pumps and
Filtration.
Fish
Health
There is no doubt that the best way to keep fish healthy
is to maintain a healthy pond. Fish can develop infections
as a result of poor water quality or some other 'stress'
factor. In these instances the disease is described
as 'secondary' since the infection only developes
because the fish's resistance to disease has been
undermined by some other damaging effect. Problems
with water quality are usually due to overstocking,
overfeeding and inadequate filtration. Chemical pollution
e.g. insecticides, can also be harmful.
Fish Foods
Feeding - How Much? How Often?
A balanced nutritious diet is essential for your fish's
health. Modern foods are formulated with the correct
levels of protein, carbohydrate, fats, vitamins and
minerals. The amount of food given should be related
to water temperature, ranging from 2-3 times a day
at the height of summer to little or no food when
the fish are torpid in winter. Only wheatgerm foods
should be given in winter. Overfeeding will not necessarily
make your fish grown more quickly but could actually
harm them by raising ammonia and nitrite levels in
the pond.
