<< I live near Cincinnati, Ohio on an acre lot out in the country. Last
year I built a pond which is 40 ft. x 12 ft. and varies in depth from
about 15" to 30". In the garden I grow native plants (trees, shrubs,
wildflowers, etc.). I also grow native lotus in my pond.
I would love to add some native fish. Do you think the pond is deep
enough? I am worried #1 about protection from predators (herons,
raccoons, grizzly bears, etc.) and #2 about protection from winter
freeze.
If it is big enough, what fish would you recommend? I'm mostly
interested in mosquito control, but it would be nice to have
something showy too. I don't want koi! The pond is made with a
flexible liner. There is no sand, nor rocks, nor anything on the
bottom... just flexible black liner. Don't know if substrate will be
an issue? >>
Welcome, Dennis. Sounds like a great pond. If I ever get towards Cincy
again, I'd love to see it.
For central Indiana, they usually say you need an area about 36" deep for
fish to survive some of our winters. 30" might be sufficient since you a
little further south but I suspect sooner or later a bad winter will kill
them out at 36".
Herons may very well show up. I've never had them in my two small ponds but
have heard about them in more suburban locations. Not sure what a deterrent
is either than a dog.
I would consider sunfish as one option for fish. Another pond person
(Charlie Grimes) up here used to put marketable tropical fish in his ponds
every spring and harvests as many as he can catch in the fall. He said they
were remarkably colorful and fish stores snapped them up.
If it is aerated, I'd consider Southern Redbelly Dace as another option.
Chuck Church
Indianapolis, Indiana USA
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