How To Look After Fish In An Outdoor Pond

HInstalling an outdoor pond in your garden is a great way to add an interesting and natural feature to the space. The general look of a pond, particularly one with a waterfall, can create an earthy aesthetic that you can enjoy for years to come.

It is important to bear in mind, though, that installing a pond is only part of the work that you will have to put into your new water feature. Caring for a pond and the fish that reside within it is a continuous job that you will be responsible for. 

You will need to make sure that you maintain your pond throughout all four seasons and water out for any signs that things aren’t as they should be. Looking after your fish will require you to learn about the specific type of fish you have and their particular needs. Even if you have looked after aquarium fish before, caring for outdoor fish is an entirely different matter.

If you are looking for ways to take the best care of the fish that you have in your outdoor pond, here are a few tips to help you keep your fish happy and healthy.

Keep the Water Clean

The first thing you will need to address is the clarity and cleanliness of the water in your pond. Dirty, murky, and debris-filled water can be incredibly harmful to your fish. It can result in a lack of oxygen in the water that will force your fish to the surface to try to breathe.

Your best course of action is to ensure that you install a filter and a pump that are designed to handle the volume of water that you have in your pond. There are also some devices that are equipped with twin filters to ensure that the water being pumped back into your pond is as clean and free of debris as possible. You can learn more about such products by checking out Water-garden.co.uk.

Another way in which your pond water can become hazardous to your fish is if you allow harmful bacteria to grow. While the right pump and filter will help prevent this from happening, it is important to avoid overfeeding your fish. Too much leftover food can break down in the water and create the perfect breeding ground for certain bacteria.

Understand the Type of Fish You Have

Just as with other creatures in the animal kingdom, different species of pond fish are going to have different requirements when it comes to caring. You will need to educate yourself about taking care of the specific type of fish you choose to have in your pond.

For instance, even though koi are some of the most popular choices for garden ponds, they have their own set of needs in regard to the environment and feeding that is different from other types of fish. Make sure that you study up so that you know exactly what your fish need to stay healthy.