Company for goldfish

[Paccula]

I just moved to a new city, and in my backyard is a huge pond! I am so excited. I'm not sure how many gallons, I'll have to figure that out later. at least a few hundred, it is about 10' long, 5' across and 3'-4' deep at the bottom.
Later this year, hopefuly, my mum and I will introduce some gold fish. Mum however is interested in a catfish or some other sort of fish to have with them. We live in central Saskatchewan, so all fish will be wintered inside and hopefuly "hibernated". (put them in the basement where it is cool and dark). Since goldfish will eat algae that is not a nessisary trait in their companion, but it would be nice. I was looking at weather loaches, I have kept one in a tank once but it was small. Would it reach 8" fast enough to not be seen as food for the goldies? (the gold fish will probably only be a few inches upon purchice). There are about 6-7 potted plants that rest on the first level in the pond, some grasses and unidentified plants (we'll find out what they are when they grow more). they are in big pots filled with dirt and topped with rocks. The pots have holes at the bottom and sides. Would a loach dig in there and be lost, or never seen?
So, does anyone think weather loaches would be a good choice? Are there any good catfish or other fish you'd recomend? Thanks!!

[JH]

Don't have any experience with weather loaches or catfish in an outdoor pond. I personally wouldn't keep anything but koi or goldfish in an pond unless it was strictly a wildlife pond with catfish, bass, sunfish, etc... I would go one way or the other but not both.

Assuming the pond is square and not circle your pond is roughly around 1400 gallons. Try here for more calculations http://www.watertropicals.com/index.asp?c=info&art=5 .

Sorry I can't help you more.

[Paccula]

I tried a few calculations already, I think the pond is about 250 gallons. It's actualy 103" long, 54" wide, and 9" deep at the first level and 18-20" at the deepest point, which is 22" wide by 67" long. so I calculated it as two ovals both 9" deep and got varrying results, but averaging around 250 gallons.

thanks for your thoughts JH. what about anyone else? should I include a catfish (or other) or not?

[wwildcats04]

weather loaches do like the cooler water and I have thought about putting one in our pond at home, but there is another species known as a banded shark that gets quite large but is a bit on the pricy side but looks really neat, you may want to check it out if money is not an issue. I have seen them for about $60

[Paccula]

Yeah, I've seen that fish once before. Didn't check out the price tag though, but it was a beautiful fish. The AC description says they prefer to be in pairs, so if its expensive we probably won't be getting them. But thanks for the sugestion! I'll keep that fish in mind, maybe some day when I'm rich and famous I'll build my own pond and put 2 in it

[Gambusia]

You could try a Sterlet (a type of sturgeon)

Or how about an albino channel catfish?

[Kissofthegorami]

albino channel catfish eat everything and can be seen from above. they will grow huge though and u may need to get rid of it if it gets too big as to eat the gold fish. at 3-4 feet deep u may not have to bring in the fish. I live in zone 5 in Massachusetts and leave my fish out in only a 24" deep pond. They do fine.

[Paccula]

albino channel catfish eat everything and can be seen from above. they will grow huge though and u may need to get rid of it if it gets too big as to eat the gold fish. at 3-4 feet deep u may not have to bring in the fish. I live in zone 5 in Massachusetts and leave my fish out in only a 24" deep pond. They do fine.

thanks for the sugestion on the cat fish, I'll look them up.
as for leaving the fish outside, though, I'm gonna have to say no. I live in zone 2. our rivers here freeze about 3-4 feet deep, we can drive trucks on them and have fishing buildings set up for months. and our winters last 6 + months. even if the pond didn't freeze to the very bottom, there's no way to keep a hole thawed that would allow gases to escape.
much easier to bring the fish inside! I think they'd agree, too. (they are still in quarentine, got 3 3"ers a few weeks ago)

[stevieb]

thanks for the sugestion on the cat fish, I'll look them up.
as for leaving the fish outside, though, I'm gonna have to say no. I live in zone 2. our rivers here freeze about 3-4 feet deep, we can drive trucks on them and have fishing buildings set up for months. and our winters last 6 + months. even if the pond didn't freeze to the very bottom, there's no way to keep a hole thawed that would allow gases to escape.
much easier to bring the fish inside! I think they'd agree, too. (they are still in quarentine, got 3 3"ers a few weeks ago)


Boy that sounds cold!!!!! over here in England the whole country grinds to a halt if we have half an inch of snow!!!! :) :)

Steve

[Paccula]

Boy that sounds cold!!!!! over here in England the whole country grinds to a halt if we have half an inch of snow!!!! :) :)

Steve

Yup!
That's how it is in warmer parts of Canada. I will be moving to the West coast this fall. People there don't know how to deal with snow or ice, and some people don't even own decent winter jackets! It'll be an interesting winter ^^ I hate the cold so it'll be nice to have a mild winter

[Rushdude]

Channel cats will get mean when the get bigger. Your pond would be nice with some comets, schubunkins, and some ryukin. Your could still have a catfish or two but I wouldnt keep it too long.