fishboy,
More like, start with 8, wait til next season, and you'll probably have MORE than 7 more new little babies swimming with the big 'uns

My first six were about 3-4 inches long, sarassa comets and shubunkins, and within 2 months of being in the pond, I was already seeing fish fry, so it doesn't take long for them to set up shop and get down to business if they are happy. That being said, if you start with 8 and decide to add more, make sure you quarantine the new ones for 2-4 weeks before you add them in, to make sure you don't add in any fishy funk, too.
Have fun, the little buggers are addictive

Jen
Is this pond only a foot deep? Make sure you have places for the fish to hide, as cats, dogs, racoons, herons, neighbor kids with sticks, will all be able to get at them and either eat or injure them pretty easily

Jen