Question for you folks that have fish in your small yard ponds. Tell me please, just how hard is it to keep? I'm thinkin on doin this...

Mine is very easy, what do you need to know?
Mine has a skimmer with biofilter at waterfall, I have it cleaned every couple of years.

in my area the pond must be a certain depth to accommodate fish during winter; ours is 3 ft and fishies are doing great; no floaters in quite a few years. only problem a month ago was a heron trying for a free meal; we were sick thinking he got all our fish but quite a few are still there!!! we've had our pond for about 6 yrs so some of the fish are big guys.
if you plan on getting fish do a little reading first. it isn't difficult but there are some points you need to know.

We had one at our old house. I would recommend you keep it away from trees. Other than that they are a joy to have, especially if it makes noise.

I had to get rid of my pond. It attracted bears. They loved to bathe in it and the babies loved to play in it and they were also looking for a free meal. I don't recommend one if you live in the wilderness.

I don't have bears at this house but I do have hawks, foxes, groundhogs and a few other little critters. Is there a way to have fish without using a net to keep the critters out?

Sorry to sneak in on the post but I would like to put a pond in in the next few years and was wondering the same thing about the fish.

I have had my pond for over 10 years and when I first got it I bought Koi--I paid @$15 each--they died within the week---I went and bought gold fish from the pet store--still have them and their relatives--they get big enough like 6 inches and they cost me .25 each lol---so start with gold fish first--infact by accident my kids put gold fish into my barrel fountain and they lived throughout the winter and are now @5 inches long
Melissa in WV

I told DH last year about putting common goldfish in the pond/fountain we finally finished late summer.
It's not a huge one but I am more worried about raccoons or other creatures eating them and don't want to spend much just in case.
When my godmother complained about losing ones that cost her over a hundred bucks each and I was afraid to tell her she was NUTS to spend that much on a fish!
Simple goldfish will do just fine. A garden center near me has koi for 7.50, but since I now know that the goldfish can grow to 5 inches, why bother! I can wait if the creatures don't eat them.

I agree! Buying 'feeder' fish at the pet store is much cheaper---AND it makes you feel like you're 'saving' them! I have herons (thought they were racoons getting them but clerk said I'd see fish parts left behind if it were racoons). I read that it helps to give them some hiding places--either plants and/or rocks on the bottom.

gina, It's not hard at all. Like someone else said get the cheap goldfish. They are just as enjoyable as the expensive koi.Pond must be below freeze level to overwinter them and I used to keep a heater in just in winter months to prevent complete freeze over. Put fake heron statuary around to keep herons away (worked for me). We need to dechlorinate our water first (town water) because of chloramine. And you have to keep your water quality at a decent level. But those fish gave a lot of enjoyment to kids and adults as well. Good luck and have fun. Jan Z5-NH

WOW...........thanks for ALL the advice folks!
dodie.....My pond is big enough, it's an old hot tub submerged into the ground.I guess I need know what plants and fish do I need? Do I need to clean it good before adding fish?
OH NO brown.....BEARS! Never seen bears here!!
Melissa..... I'm thinkin I will enjoy mine too!
jvelo......I don't think I'll have critter problems. There are 8 dogs and 4 cats running around here.... I live on a private dead end road. No one but family members next door and across the street. Sooooooo we don't have wild critters here. Ahhhhh thats is if you don't count the 7 children!
twosheps.....I will try the gold fish first...BUT I remember having gold fish in bowls when my children were small and they were VERY nasty! I guess thats where having maybe a algey (sp?) eater in there also????
jancee........our winters don't get that cold here. We do have some freezing weather BUT never so cold that the pond would freeze over. Do you still think I would need to heat it?
We need to dechlorinate our water first (town water) because of chloramine. Just how do I go about doing this?
thanks again for the input people!

This is my first pond plant......got it from my BIL next door. It's called Spatterdock. Here is a pic of the plant. My batteries on my camera died before I could get a pic of the bloom. They are very pretty!

Oh BTW I put the plant in a planter and submerdged it to keep it from spreading...

Gin....as to plants, our Lowes has a whole display of water plants & most of them are around $3-4. A couple are in the $15 range.

I too am thinking of putting one in. We saw a solar powered, floating fountain in a catalog for $20 and I wonder if anyone has had any experience with those? It has either a 7/12 hole head with it.

Gin...make sure you install a filter if you will be using goldfish. They are nasty little critters, but do very well if the water quality is good.
As for the town water, buy a product called "Prime" from your local fish store. It removes Chloromine, clorine, and heavy metals like copper etc. One small bottle will treat about 12,000 gallons. I use it in all my fish tanks.
Good luck and I would love to see more pictures!