Companions for comets/shubunkins in pond?

Jennie Beth

Jennie Beth

AC Members
Feb 20, 2009
379
1
18
Graham, WA USA
Not sure I'm ready for more fish, but thinking on it. I have 2 shubunkin and 4 comets, all between 3-4 inches long, in a 600-700 gallon pond. Am checking out my options for roommates that wouldn't become lunch or overload the pond. Maybe something smaller and schooling? They'd need to be weather tolerant as they will have to live out year round, and it will freeze in the winter--not solid, but definately COLD!

Jen
 
White Clouds Mountain Fish? Temp range 64-72. Wikipedia says as low as 41. They are cheap and not an expensive fish to lose if the temp doesnt hold up..
 
rosey reds,.. but quarentee them and deworm while in there to protect the goldies,.. they are coldwater also and sold as feeders,..don't think they cost much,
 
Dojos will probably work but check your local rules and regulations first if dojos are legal to keep because in some areas, they are illegal.
 
If the pond is filtered then you may be able to add in a few more goldfish. I would also suggest rosy reds but since they are sold as feeders they generally have a lot of disease issues so QT is required. WCMM have a tendency of becoming lunch to a full grown goldfish. Not all goldfish will eat them but I lost 16 WCMM over the course of 5 months to my large comet. Rosy reds grow to be 4-5" and won't fit in goldfish mouths as adults.

A quick warning on the Rosy's. The guppy doesn't have much on these guy's when it comes to reproduction. One male can have 4-500 eggs from several different females in his nest. If given good condions a dozen Rosey's can become several thousand in a few months time.
 
I agree with the golden dojo loach, but definitely check into the legality of keeping them in a pond in your area.
 
Yes, the pond is filtered, but nothing fancy, just a big cakepan size Pondmaster 2000 with a few layers of filter media and some lava rock. I run an 1800gph pump, so it turns the water roughly 3 times an hour. I know where to look up what water plants are prohibited in my area...where do I find a live critter list? And did I read on AC somewhere that the dojo loaches need a sandy bottom? My pond is 1/2 inch drainage rock...

Jen
 
Thanks all.

Looked up loaches, and I don't think my pond would be a good home for them. And I hate the idea of getting any fish that couldn't winter over, regardless of how inexpensive...Went to the Petsmart for dog and cat food, and took a slow cruise by the feeder fish...saw some very pretty little ones in there, too. There was a gorgeous little black/white/orange one, but it was so badly beat up it didn't look like it'd even make it home. Question is, how big is big enough not to be lunch for the 3-4" fish already in the pond? The fish lady said alot of people quarantine for a week, but she recommends two...about right, or a little longer?

Jen
 
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