skip to main content

Ponds in the UK

Wild caught fish in ponds.

18 years ago

I know an owner of a big private moat where I am aloud to fish it and have some fish if I want. It has some nice koi, common and mirror carp as well as other species of fish. Would it be ok for me to catch some and put them in my home pond (I live in the UK by the way)? Obviously I would need to be very careful doing this as some might have infections and disease but I would only try and take the visually healthy ones home anyway (e.g. healthy fins, scales no deformities). What type of quarantine and treatment would I use on wild caught fish to ensure they don't have a disease going into my pond?

Thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

AJC_1
18 years ago
No for two reasons, one the fish you buy at dealers etc have never been exposed to the diseases that river and lake fish have so they would have no immunity against them, you would wipe your pond out quicker than KHV and there is no quarentuine that will help, because they are immune to any bugs they carry so they wont ever show on them and its unlikely you will ever kill all the fatal ones they may have, its like our child hood ailments, we are immune but our kids aint, and its the same for fish not growing in a lake/river enviromnet.

two, river and lake fish especialy carp, tench and bream and chub have been known to jump out of a garden pond when put in one, in fact it happens 9 times out of 10 on the first night, they are not happy with the water or the confined space, those that dont die over night die slower, but die they do.
deesee
18 years ago
My granddaughters brought me 12 minnows 2 years ago, i still have all 12, they are a joy to watch when shoaling, i made a pea gravel area for them under the water fall about 1mtr long x2ft wide they absolutley love it, and they live happily with my orfe helping them keep the fly population down, they even know when it`s feeding time and join in, i am hoping they will spawn this year.
Related Discussions
Lost 4 fish in my pond
Q
Comments (38)
These stories have made me sad but very much aware of the danger from the birds. My hubby built and now we are beginning to enjoy the pond in the back yard. I was fearful of placing fish due to the fact that we live on a lake and the pond is in the back. I have seen the herons here on the lake side dive off the dock into 5-8 ft of water and jump back onto the dock with a fish in his mouth. They do eat rather large fish, mostly brim or the shad. We bought 12 goldfish at the baitshop just to see how nature would react, and so far, about one month, we still have the fish. Pond is about 18" deep and we used a cement block with two holes to hold the pump and the first set of plants. We plan to add lots of plants before we spend money for fish. I am very amazed at myself for how attached I have become to fish I usually would have used to catch bigger fish for eating. So wish me luck with trying to have nature on both sides of the house!
...See More
PondCare Algaefix safe for fish???
Q
Comments (19)
Please STAY AWAY FROM THIS PRODUCT!!! I have a well established 6,000 gallon pond with a large waterfall and a brook feature. This year was quite unusual for "pea soup" algae. I can usually control the algae with constant aeration through the waterfall and brook as well as brushing the liner and rocks along with a 50% water change. The filter was also thoroughly cleaned and UV clarifier bulb replaced. This summer was quite hot for 2-3 weeks with high humidity and little rainfall. But despite all of these efforts, the pond water was still green. I tested the pH, nitrites and ammonia levels as usual, no plants were degraded or replaced, so I decided to use Algaefix after a great deal of research. I purposely underdosed the pond by using 2 cups instead of 2.5 cups, and after about 30-40 hours 38 of my 44 goldfish and shubunkins were floating on the surface as I proceeded to feed them with my 4 grandchildren. I retested the water right after I found them, and the ammonia level was high off the chart! It was totally devastating, so I spoke with 1 customer service rep, 1 quality manager and 1 director who all totally backed up their product and refused to admit that their product caused the incident. They kept apologizing but would not take any responsibility and offered me a "care package" of some of their other products as they stated, "to get my pond reestablished again!" I actually became angry and laughed at them after they denied my insistence at remuneration for the cost of their product as well as the cost of 50% of the cost of the fish (some were offspring of the original livestock), which probably amounted to about $250.00. They repeatedly refused even after I offered to send them a water sample and a dead fish with black blotches due to toxic ammonia levels! Once again, "Corporate America" shows their true colors and reaffirms that making money far outweighs the concerns of the consumer.
...See More
Aquaponics - Wild Fish?
Q
Comments (1)
Hi Drakemoore; Aquaponics Is the combined sciences of Aquaculture and Hydroponics. Your question is far more specific to the science of Aquaculture (Fish Farming), than it is to the science of Hydroponics (Soil-less Gardening). You will be more likely to get a larger amount of more knowledgeable responses at the Ponds And Aquatics Forum or the Aquariums Forum. Good Luck, ~Ken~
...See More
Traumatized frogs/ fish in pond?
Q
Comments (1)
Birds and other predators eat fish. Remember, your fish have been reproducing all these years, and the fish are eating the tadpoles, and dragonfly larvae eating fish and tadpoles, and herons coming (when you aren't looking) eating the many fish in the pond. Remove the netting. Netting kills animals by entangling them. Enjoy nature. Predators don't exhaust their sources, only people do.
...See More
alison_froglady
18 years ago
My sticklebacks were from a local beck and I have had no problems with them at all. That was 8 years ago. I didn't already have other fish though and didn't get any for another year or so. I always add eradick when I introduce new fish, but never quarantine then.
Ajc does make good points though and the difference with both mine and Deesee is that we had only small fish in comparison to what you want to introduce. I don't know how bigger fish would respond to the move.
Alison
dampflippers
18 years ago
Aaron, do you already have any fish in your pond or would these be the first?
If you already have some you would need to be sure that extra would not be too much for the pond.
If you have no fish at the moment, surely there is less problem with importing new ones?
I only have sticklebacks so I'm not really qualified to make more than these observations.

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Designing Nemo: 30 Fish Tanks Make a Decorative Splash

By Mitchell Parker

Bring an otherworldly glow and a calming vibe to your home with the living art of an aquarium

FUN HOUZZ 31 True Tales of Remodeling Gone Wild

By Mitchell Parker

Drugs, sex, excess — the home design industry is rife with stories that will blow your mind, or at least leave you scratching your head

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Living on the Edge of the Wild

By Falon Mihalic

When Mother Nature is your neighbor, the possibilities — and responsibilities — can be that much greater

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Wild Birds Transform a Woman’s Garden and Life

By Mary Jo Bowling

How Sharon Sorenson created a wildlife haven and became the Bird Lady of Southern Indiana

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Why Is There a Bathtub in the Backyard?

By Becky Harris

Nope, it's not waiting for bulk trash pickup. These days outdoor tubs are serving soakers, beer drinkers and even the fishes

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Koi Find Friendly Shores in Any Garden Style

By Marianne Lipanovich

A pond full of colorful koi can be a delightful addition to just about any landscape or garden

PETS See a Deluxe 'Catio' Built for Feline Fun

By Becky Harris

Sixteen lucky cats get the run of a protected outdoor patio with ramps, steps and even a koi pond

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Be a Citizen Scientist to Help Wildlife, Learn and Have Fun Too

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Track butterflies, study birds, capture stars ... when you aid monitoring efforts, you’re lending Mother Nature a hand

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Natural Swimming Pools: More Beauty, No Chemicals

By Falon Mihalic

Keep your skin and the environment healthy with a pool that cleans itself, naturally

MOST POPULAR Meet a Lawn Alternative That Works Wonders

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Carex can replace turfgrass in any spot, is low maintenance and adjusts easily. Add its good looks and you’ve got a ground cover winner

Sponsored

KP Designs Group

50 Reviews

Franklin County's Unique and Creative Residential Interior Design Firm