Odd Fish?

[robadk1]

Does anyone here have a pond with fish in them, that are not generaly in ponds? I don't mind Goldfish and what have you, but it would be cool to keep really odd fish in one, particularly tropical.(I ask because i'm moving into a house soon and would like a nice sized pond.

[jm1212]

if you had an indoor pond you could have loads of tropical fish

[robadk1]

Well I have to reserve the room I have in my upcoming house for aquariums(It's like half of the extra bedroom.) I would like one outside, but I know with tropicals that will be very difficult.

[legendaryfrog]

nah, I wouldnt say that it would be difficult for you. You live in georgia!! its not like you have to worry about freezing temperatures, etc. During the summer, my fiancee kept guppies, bettas, platies, barbs, and more in her 500g outdoor pond without avail.

[robadk1]

Well... it does get bellow freezing, for sure. It's not like it snows or anything, but it gets pretty well below freezing in the winter. But I thought the same thing, since it doesn't get so drasticly cold, perhaps I could(and would be willing to) spend a little extra on heating. So with that in mind, any suggestions?

[Featherfin]

get soem koi. They look unusual and are really impresive when they get to there full size. I know a lady here in Savannah, GA who has GIANT ones, and they are actually rather frightening.

[Firebelly__girl]

I agree with featherfin, I guess its your own taste in fish, but I would rather watch large koi, than little platys/guppies =D

[Grins]

My mom has beautiful koi in her pond here in NC. One of them weighed 15#s at last check. She has a few redcaps as well. Good luck with your pond plans.

[Reddog80p]

You could always bring the fish in when the weather gets a little too cold. Just keep in mind that you'll need adequate tanks and they'll have to be cycled. This would be tough for KOI and Goldfish as they are pigs, and very messy.

[robadk1]

Well if I had to have Koi(They're cool, i'm just thinking something crazy) then I would def. leave them outside with heaters.
It would be crazy to see some Kind of shark.

[Firebelly__girl]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/coolh20sharks.htm

[robadk1]

I was actually talking about something like "Black Fin Shark" At least that's what I heard them called by the LPS. Or maybe Walmart. Or, a bala shark, something of that nature. Not really what you would consider a Cold Water shark.

[GoldLenny]

Koi and cold water "sharks" (I think one is called the High-Fin Shark) get much too BIG for a 500G pond. Since the water temperature in the winter would be too cool/cold for tropical fish, you should either go with long-bodied goldfish (and if you like the look of koi, go with Sarasa's or Shubunkin's) and you could have 5-6 of them. If you wanted tropical fish, you would have to have enough empty tanks for them to overwinter in your home each winter.

[suepahfly]

You could get some natives like rockbass ,bluegill, pumpkinseeds, etc.

[syddakyd]

koi are not "odd fish" they are just as common as goldfish in ponds.

maybe an albino channel catfish is a little more odd if you have the space for it. the problem with most natives is that you cant see them well. i have 2 chubsuckers in my pond now with the other fish.

[robadk1]

Thus the commonly used phrase "Koi pond"(at least in my area)
Natives might not really seem so uncommon to Native people, you know? Now maybe an albino Channel cat would. What kind of space is required for about 4 of 'em. Around 500g?, more if I want good depth for winter and summer days in direct sun...

[p3purr]

What about native fish? Some of them do great in ponds. I know people who have turned the swimming pool into a pond and snorkle fith their native fish.
Here's a link to North American Native Fish Association (NANFA) (http://www.nanfa.org/) if you're interested in looking into that as an option.