Re-stocking a pond with natives

[MudskipperFan]

Hello,

Recently after a really crazy and unfortunate snafu, my goldfish in my pond died and the surviving fish of other species were transferred to holding tanks. As far as I know, the pond is now biologically on some sort of a clean slate and I have to basically start from scratch again with the whole pond ecosystem. As upset as I am about the death of my fish, it's also an opportunity for me to stock the pond with indigenous if not endemic (I live in L.A County) and possibly hardier (?) fish and other organisms. With this in mind, I've done a little bit of research and have some info on the species native to my area, but I still want you guys to advise me on stocking. In addition, with natives, is it possible to buy them, or would I have to find other ways of getting them?

Here's the lists of fish apparently native to rivers and streams in my vicinity:
http://calfish.ucdavis.edu/location...col=3105&categorysearch=Los Angeles Watershed
http://calfish.ucdavis.edu/location...col=3105&categorysearch=San Gabriel Watershed

 

[SubRosa]

How large is this pond? That's a major consideration in what species to stock. Also natives aren't going to be as showy as Goldfish, mainly because of their compressed body shape. Viewed straight on in a properly lit aquarium, a male Pumpkinseed in spawning color is one of the most beautiful fish in the world, fresh or salt. That same fish viewed from above isn't nearly as spectacular. And then there's your location............better check with the local game warden about what species are legal to keep. CA has rather complex regulations due partly to the large number of introduced and protected species.

 

[authmal]

And then there's your location............better check with the local game warden about what species are legal to keep. CA has rather complex regulations due partly to the large number of introduced and protected species.

:iagree:

 

[henningc]

You really need to get some topwater minnows, killie fish.

 

[MudskipperFan]

The pond measures at roughly 391 gallons. The showy factor doesn't really matter to me because if my other plans for the pond go well there will be other factors that will make it look beautiful. I've been considering sticklebacks and school-size amounts of the smaller fishes if that proves to be interesting as well.

 

[pbeemer]

i'm looking at the same thing for a pond i'm planning. i've spent a lot of time on the UC site you show. (btw, a number of the fish on those pages are saltwater fish)

i've been looking at US natives but not necessarily CA natives because of the difficulty in getting local natives. you can catch most of the small native fish (shiners, killi's, chubs) but they're not too pretty. we can't keep trout -- they are game fish (so you can't take then home alive) and in any case our outdoor water will kill them in the summer.

you might consider calling the folks at the UC Davis site; they could give you some suggestions and maybe even some fish.