Frequently Asked Questions

Fish and Plants

How much do i feed my Fish?
The biggest killer of fish in pond and aquariums is overfeeding. The uneaten food creates excess waste, and the extra food in a fishes gut can cause internal health disorders. Pellets are the most suitable type of food as it won’t cloud your water and is easily removable if you happen to overfeed your fish. Different size pellets are available: When using the correct size, your fish will require 3 - 4 pellets per day per fish, less in the cooler months. Different protein levels are also available if you are going to breed your fish, or just to improve their colour and well being.

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What fish can i keep in my Pond?
A general guideline is no more than 1 kilogram of Koi for every 1000 litres of water or 2 kilograms of goldfish per 1000 litres of water.
The more fish you have the bigger the filtration system you’ll need.

In a garden pond, coldwater fish are the only fish that will survive all year round. The two most popular types of coldwater fish are Goldfish and Koi (only NSW & WA can legally keep Koi). They can be compatible together in a pond, and are even fed the same pellets and food. Goldfish are suited to most sized aquariums and ponds, but Koi require a larger environment in which to grow to their best. A minimum pond depth of 40 cm is ideal for protection of the fish from UV rays and also cats and birds, although netting over the top can be used to prevent predation from cats & birds.

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Do i need plants in my Pond?
If you have a pump and filter system established in your pond, plants can enhance these by also removing small amounts of nutrients and also providing some oxygen. Also, with today’s standard of fish food, all the essential “greens” and vitamins required are already supplemented to your fish. Most people love to see a “Water Lily” in full flower with a cover of lily pads, maybe a few fringe plants such as “Water Iris” and rushes and grasses. There is a huge selection of bog plants (10 - 20 cm water depth) to choose from as well as the deeper water aquatics such as Lily’s and Vallisneria. Plants are best used to finish your very own “aquascaped” pond for both cosmetic and filtration reasons.

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Are Cats and Birds going to catch my Fish?
In an outside pond your fish can be very vulnerable to predators. A minimum depth and some surface cover are all that is required to keep your fish safe. Bird/Cat netting is available which stretches over the pond at surface level that can be used in more difficult situations. It is fastened around the edges of the pond with stakes or tent pegs, and is almost invisible to the eye when stretched taut.

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