Goldfish for garden pond

Goldfish for garden pond

Goldfish are very elegant animals and perfect for animating your outdoor pool. Resistant and inexpensive, they have beautiful orange, red, yellow and white for the pleasure of the eyes. However, goldfish have very specific needs for feeding, care, water volume and pelvis depth.

It can not also coexist with any species. An ornamental pool is a space whose ecological balance is fragile and which must imperatively be respected for the well-being of its occupants. Find out who is the goldfish for pond garden in this complete file.

Who is the goldfish?

The common goldfish ( Carassius auratus ) is the most common animal in outdoor pools. It is particularly resistant and it reproduces easily, while being inexpensive. Its average size when adult is usually 20 cm, but some specimens can reach 30 to 40 cm.

The goldfish is a high ornamental fish for over four thousand years in China and imported into Europe at the end of the XVII ^th century.

We are talking about goldfish, but in reality these small animals can also be yellow, orange or even white.

There are several varieties of goldfish:

• Shunbukin: orange, red, black and white, Shunbukin is a small variety that can not exceed 20 cm.
• Comet Sarasa: like Shunbukin, Comet Sarasa can not exceed 20 cm. He is appreciated for his alliance of red and white.
• Some species are more fragile, like the lion-headed goldfish, the Black Moon or the Telescope. Slower and more sensitive to the cold, they are adapted to the interior more than to pond life. However, it is possible to release them outside only when the month of May arrives and to return them again at the end of autumn at the arrival of the cold.

The goldfish moves relatively slowly, making them easy prey for predators. If he is essentially a vegetarian, he can eat some insects and aquatic animals to feed himself.

The goldfish breeds very quickly, which is why it is inadvisable to put too much in a pond. These animals need space and balance; an overpopulation disrupts the natural balance of the basin and may eventually make them disappear. Count 0.2 m ³ per fish to allow them enough space in adulthood.

Resistant and hardy, the goldfish can withstand harsh outside temperatures in winter, or even the formation of a layer of ice on the surface of the pond. But to allow it to resist, it is necessary that the basin is relatively deep, at least 1 meter, so that it can hide in its depths and warm up in the mud that settles there. Similarly, in summer, this depth allows him to cool off and withstand the heat without suffering. Finally, a deep basin is a protection for your goldfish because they can hide more easily and avoid the predators that are cats and some birds like herons.

What are the treatments adapted to goldfish?

When buying goldfish for your pond, take them in groups of 5 or more. Always respect the following quantity: 5 goldfish per 1000 liters of water in the pond.

Offer them a diet adapted for goldfish, digestible and light, well dosed in vitamins and minerals. Goldfish do not eat much, so invest in quality food that is well balanced for their needs so that they grow healthy and live longer.

Goldfish do not need to eat every day. You can be away for two or three days without any distribution. On the other hand, beyond that, plan a vending machine or ask for the services of a friendly neighbor or a relative.

In winter, the cold almost hibernates the goldfish. He has less need to eat. A distribution per week is usually sufficient, or even less.

Provide a pool suitable for goldfish

Your pond must be adapted to the needs of your goldfish to allow them to feel good and develop there.

A good depth

As we said, your goldfish need enough depth to live well in your pond. Count 1 meter ideally, in any case not less than 80 cm. This depth protects them from the cold in frost, heat in the summer and predators all year long!

Sufficient volume of water

Your goldfish need space to live well. Do not forget that they will grow quickly, up to a length of 20 cm, or up to 40 cm for some! Ideally, allow 0.2 m ³ per fish.

Also beware of the space depending on the species with which your goldfish cohabit! Indeed, the Carpe koi needs 1 m ³ minimum per specimen, and sturgeon 20 m ³!

A good interview

Your goldfish need clean water, a well-maintained natural garden pond and the ideal ecological balance. Remember to regularly remove the dead leaves so they do not have time to rot and settle down. A vacuum cleaner at the bottom of the pond will also allow you to remove excess mud. Always leave some to allow your goldfish to scrape for food and hide in case of need.

Beware of roommates!

You can mix the fish species in your pond, but not all will get along with your goldfish! Ask before buying, because some species eat goldfish. In addition, each has unique needs in terms of space, volume and power. Think of good associations!

Avoid fragile goldfish

Some goldfish areas are very sensitive to cold and may not survive a harsh winter. So prefer the classic goldfish or Shunbukins, which you can make live with Koi Carp, and avoid Comets, Black Moon and Lion Heads.