There are many fishes that you can keep in a pond. To have a healthy and happy fish, it is necessary that you choose the right kind of fish as per your requirements.
There are various types of fish that you can keep in a backyard pond or koi fish pond. Among all those varieties, there are few best pond fish which are a must-see.
Table of Contents
The List of The 11 Best Pond Fish To Buy in 2021
Below is the list of the 11 best Pond Fish that you should definitely see if you are planning to get one.
1. Koi Fish
- Scientific Name- Cyprinus carpio.
- Size- 2 to 4 feet long.
- Lifespan- About 30 years
- Nature- Peaceful fish, Can form groups.
- Water Temperature- 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
- ph level- 7.5 to 8
- Required Tank Size- 50 to 250 Galloons
- Required Water Type- Tap water
These varieties of fishes are most popular for ponds as they have beautiful exterior and expensive looks. They need very high maintenance as these fishes grow up to 12 inches long.
In order to keep them healthy, you need to change their water every week. They need a very high bioload, and the pond must be densely planted.
These fishes usually feed on worms and grubs, but you can give them any kind of fish food as well. The Koi is a domesticated common carp bred for decorative purposes.
2. Gold Fish
- Scientific Name- Carassius auratus
- Size- 4 to 6 inches long
- Lifespan- 10-15 years
- Nature- Ubiquitous in nature
- Water Temperature- 68 to 74 Fahrenheit
- ph level- 7.0 to 8.4
- Required Tank Size- About 30 Galloons
- Required Water Type- Soft water
These are the most popular pond fishes, and they come in red, orange, yellow, and white colors. There are many varieties of goldfish.
They grow up to 6 inches long and need an average of 50 gallons of water. You can put these fishes in a pond that is at least 12 inches deep, but if you want them bigger than 6 inches. They are the most popular varieties of fish that you can keep in your pond throughout the year.
Generally, they grow up to 4-6 inches long and need high oxygen content in the water for their survival. They are very beautiful as well as one of the best predators for mosquito larvae.
3. Rainbow Fish
- Scientific Name- Melanotaeniidae
- Size- 1 to 6 inches long.
- Lifespan- 5-8 years.
- Nature- Extremely peaceful in nature
- Water Temperature- 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit
- ph level- 7.0 to 8.4
- Required Tank Size- More than 20 Galloons
- Required Water Type- Neutral to moderately hard water
These fishes are not as popular as Koi and goldfish, but still, they are one of the best varieties for pond fish. They come in bright colors and have a long tails.
These fishes grow up to 4 inches long and need a pond that is at least 15 gallons large. You can put these fishes in a pond that is at least 12 inches deep.
Since they are very colorful, there is a chance of them getting loose from the pond and getting caught by other predators. These fish feed on everything you give, but care should be taken that they don’t overeat or hurt themselves.
4. Plecostomus
- Scientific Name- Hypostomus plecostomus
- Size- Up to 24 inches long
- Lifespan- 5-8 years
- Nature- Shy and friendly
- Water Temperature- 74 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- ph level- 7.0 to 8.0
- Required Tank Size- 75 to 80 Galloons
- Required Water Type- Freshwater is preferable
These are very popular for ponds throughout the world, mostly in South America. These are not that much popular elsewhere because of their large size. They are also called suckermouth catfish and mainly feed on algae, plants, leaves, etc.
This fish can be placed in a pond having any kind of bottom surface since they don’t much care about it. They grow up to 12 inches long, and the minimum water depth that is required for them is 16 inches. If you want them bigger than 24 inches, then the pond should be at least 40 gallons large.
5. Guppy
- Scientific Name- Poecilia reticulate
- Size- Upto 4 inches
- Lifespan- 4-5 years
- Nature- Mostly peaceful, Sometimes aggressive
- Water Temperature- 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit
- ph level- 6.8 to 7.6
- Required Tank Size- 10 to 20 Galloons
- Required Water Type- Freshwater, Sometimes warm water is preferable
These fishes look very beautiful and attractive, having bright colors and shiny exteriors. These fishes grow up to 4 inches long and need an average water depth of 12 inches for their survival.
They are very popular brackish water fish but can live in any type of water condition. They usually feed on algae, plants, leaves, etc., but you can give them any kind of fish food as well.
6. Fathead Minnow
- Scientific Name- Pimephales promelas
- Size- 2.6 to 2.8 inches long
- Lifespan- 2-4 years
- Nature- Hardy, Mostly Non-Aggressive
- Water Temperature- 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit
- ph level- 7.0 to 7.5
- Required Tank Size- 30 to 55 Galloons
- Required Water Type- Freshwater and cold water is preferable
These are some of the most popular pond fish because they grow up to 2 inches long and can be kept in a very small amount of water.
They are also called buffalo fish. These fishes aren’t that attractive, having silver scales, but their eating behavior is something that every fish lover has to see. They feed on anything you give them, but care should be taken as extreme overfeeding can kill the fish.
7. MosquitoFish
- Scientific Name- Gambusia affinis
- Size- 1 to 3 inches long
- Lifespan- About 1.5 years
- Nature- Omnivorous and Pest Eater
- Water Temperature- 33 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit
- ph level- 6.5 to 8.0
- Required Tank Size- 20 to 40 Galloons
- Required Water Type- Freshwater is preferable
Mosquitofish are also called gambusia and are mainly mosquito control agents. These fishes can be kept with other species having very little chance of them fighting among themselves. They grow up to 3 inches long and need an average water depth of 8 inches.
Mosquitoes can be fed with bloodworms or brine shrimp etc. Mostly they will not be seen in an aquarium but seeing them in a pond is easy. They keep the problem of insects under control.
8. Golden Orfe
- Scientific Name- Leuciscus idus
- Size- Up to 18 inches long
- Lifespan- About 20 years
- Nature- Peaceful and friendly
- Water Temperature- About 77 degrees Fahrenheit
- ph level- 7.0 to 8.0
- Required Tank Size- About 500 Galloons
- Required Water Type- Oxygenated Freshwater is preferable
Golden Orfe is a common sight in ponds and can be kept with any other species. These fishes need an average water depth of 8 inches and grow up to 4 inches long.
They are mainly omnivorous and feed on everything you give them, along with living plants. These fishes, unlike others, don’t eat mosquito larvae. Orfe is initially very small in size, from 2 to 3 inches, and reaches their maximum size in a year.
9. Siamese Algae Eater
- Scientific Name- Crossocheilus siamensis
- Size- Up to 6 inches long
- Lifespan- Upto 10 years
- Nature- Semi-Aggressive
- Water Temperature- 75 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit
- ph level- 6.5 to 8.0
- Required Tank Size- 25 to 30 Galloons
- Required Water Type- Freshwater, heavily planted, is preferable.
These fishes are very popular for eating algae and keeping the aquarium clean. They feed on algae and plants, leaving them smooth and shiny. They grow up to 4 inches long and need an average water depth of 15 inches for their survival.
These fish can also eat any kind of fish food as well. Siamese Algae Eater is also called SAE. They are mostly brown or beige in color.
10. Pond Loach
- Scientific Name- Misgurnus sp.
- Size- Up to 12 inches long
- Lifespan- Upto 10 years
- Nature- Violent, Robust, And Active
- Water Temperature- 40 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit
- ph level- 6.0 to 8.0
- Required Tank Size- 20 to 80 Galloons
- Required Water Type- Freshwater is preferable
These fishes are also very popular for being kept in a pond having all types of water conditions. They feed on plants, algae, etc., and can be given any kind of fish food as well. Pond Loach is a family member of the catfish family and mainly eats plants.
These fishes are found in Europe, Asia, and Australia. They grow up to 4 inches long and can be kept with any other species. It is also known as dojo loach.
They have a slender body with small fins, which make them look somewhat like an eel. It comes in many colors.
11. Molly Fish
- Scientific Name- Poecilia Sphenops
- Size- Up to 4.5 inches long
- Lifespan- Up to 5 years
- Nature- Peaceful and friendly
- Water Temperature- 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit
- ph level- 6.7 to 8.5
- Required Tank Size- 75 to 80 Galloons
- Required Water Type- Freshwater Planted tank is preferable
They are also very popular for being kept in a pond. These fishes spawn easily, and the best thing is that they don’t eat plants. They need an average water depth of 12 inches for their survival but can live in any type of water condition.
Molly fish has a lot of varieties that need different water conditions for their survival. There are 39 species of molly fish. They have a flat body and triangular head and are widest and tallest in the mid-body part. They have two pairs of fins.
Conclusion
All the species mentioned above are very popular for being kept in a pond. Even though these fishes can survive well in any water condition, it is still advisable to keep them in appropriate water conditions so that there should be no issues later on.
The fishes have been described from their needs and colors as well. The best thing about keeping these fish is that they are very less expensive and can be easily maintained.
Keeping them in an aquarium has many restrictions like the absence of plants, need for sufficient water depth, etc., but keeping them in a pond doesn’t have these issues, so it is better to keep them in ponds. And undoubtedly, these are the most beautiful species of pond fish you will see.
