Which of these two species would be better for an outdoor pond?

[friend of oscar]

I would have asked this in the pond forum but it doesn't ever seem to active so I decided to try here. In a couple weeks or maybe the next few days, I am going to get rid of a few of my fish because they are getting big. Well I am thinking on trading them in for either a school or group of white cloud minnows or mosquitofish. Which would be the better one to put in an outdoor pond. I would like to leave whichever one in the pond throughout the whole year but might could take them in if need be. Thanx for any advice.

[wetmanNY]

Well, White Cloud Mountain Minnows have to come in, even in North Carolina. But you can sell or trade all but a couple of dozen at your lfs, keep your stock group over winter and keep it going like that.

You couldn't sell Gambusia so easily...

Plus Tanichthys albonubes is one of the prettiest cyprinids in the world.

[friend of oscar]

So your saying the white cloud minnow is the better choice? So they do or do not do good during the winter? I'm sorry but I couldn't understand what you were saying.

[blitzen25bm]

he is telling you that over summer the white clouds would breed in the pond and you trade all but a few to your LFS and when spring comes put the few that you saved inside during the winter back into the pond. white clouds would not be able to makeit over winter. the mosquito fish are supposed to be able to survive water temps down to the 30's and you can get them free from your local vector control agency.

[friend of oscar]

Oh Ok. Thanks a bunch to the both of you. Now just to decide what to get. The white clouds are prettier and would have more of a schooling effect if I got like 50 or so and that would look cool. But, mosquitofish are way cheaper, eat alot of mosquito larvae(which would really help out the pond alot) and I wouldn't have to worry about taking them inside during the winter. Decisions Decisions.

[ChilDawg]

How likely is it that flooding would cause your outdoor pond to be connected to waterways? If it is, I would go with the Gambusia for sure. If not, then, well, it is up to you!

[friend of oscar]

No it's not connected to any waterways or streams or anything. Its a small pond, at around 200 or more gallons. It is what I call and above ground pond. The shape of it come form one of those fiber glass ponds but a hole got into it so we got liner to put in the hole. Only the bottom foot or so of the pond is under groud and the rest of it is up surrounded by dirt and mulch. Well thanks for yalls help. I am looking more into the mosquitofish now mostly because they are cheaper and I wouldn't have to take them out during the winter. Now just to find where to get them. I've heard about places where I can get them for free but don't know of any in my area. There is one store close to me that sells them 3 for a dollar. Is that a good price?

[ChilDawg]

Yes and no.

Yes: I would pay that where I'm living, since Gambusia are a little harder to come by in this neck of the woods.

No: If I were you, I would not pay that as you could go catch them near where you live. G. affinis is found as a native fish throughout all of North Carolina.

Yes: If you are only getting a small quantity with which to stock your pond, it would be a good idea to just buy them as you may spend more time, money, and effort in catching the same amount. I guess that it is up to you, but hopefully this wishy-washyness has helped somewhat.

~Matthew

[friend of oscar]

Thanks. I went to look last night at the store's stock. They looked pretty good. They had the big females and the little males. Yeah I thought that there might be somewhere where I could catch them but I,ve not seen any before in any local creeks or ponds. Thanks again for yallls help.

[ChilDawg]

I would try backwater-type areas, where there is a lot of stillness in the water flow, but it sounds like you've hit some of those. If you can't find them, snap them up at that price! :)

[OrionGirl]

While the fish wil survive temp, make sure you maintain a hole in the ice at all times. A frequent problem is the ice seals the water surface, preventing gas exchange and results in oxygen deprivation. This kills reservoirs, so is a serious threat to smaller bodies of water. A small bubbler in the deepest portion of the water is usually enough to prevent a complete freeze over.

[friend of oscar]

Thanks. I have had to keep a hole in the ice alot this past winter with all the ice and snow storms. Now to think of it, my pond does get pretty cold. Maybe I should bring the fish in during the winter or atleast bring in a few. Well I should be able to get osme in a couple weeks. I have to get rid of a few of my fish and especially get rid of the channel cat.