This was a surprise…
I never imagined myself becoming a fish parent, but that all changed when I stumbled upon a delightful surprise in my new, spacious patio pond.
By Our Gardens Matter
I never imagined myself becoming a fish parent, but that all changed when I stumbled upon a delightful surprise in my new, larger patio pond. What started with just three Shubunkin fish has increased in batches of various-sized offspring!
Previously, the home for these three was in a half-barrel water feature. Given that they had never reproduced, I believed they were all the same sex. The unique setup of this new habitat indicated that the conditions were now optimal for breeding. I say unique because it is not your average garden pond, as explained further on.
Observing the growth of these fish over the past few months has been an incredibly thrilling experience. Their vibrant colours, playful behaviour, and swift swimming movements have brought me joy and fascination. I have supplement-fed them fish flakes and closely monitored their water quality to ensure their health and well-being.
While fish can add a fascinating element to a pond, I advise against adding them to your wildlife pond’s ecosystem. Fish can disrupt the delicate balance of the pond by eating insects and other organisms essential to the food chain, decreasing biodiversity and negatively impacting pond health. Additionally, fish waste can cause water quality issues by increasing nutrient levels, algae blooms and oxygen depletion without a filter installed.
Another reason I advise against adding fish to a wildlife pond is they can be invasive. If not carefully monitored, fish can breed rapidly and outcompete other species for resources. If unchecked, this can cause biodiversity and habitat loss for other wildlife that depend on the pond for survival.
However, this is not your average fish pond or wildlife pond. It is an underwater habitat experiment. The concept behind the pond was to create an underwater habitat that closely resembles a natural environment. A rugged underwater wall of rocks creates hiding spots for aquatic life, whilst aquatic plants oxygenate the water and provide shelter for small creatures. The principal purpose of the pond is, or was, to attract dragonflies, depending on how things develop.
As exciting as these new fish arrivals are, it’s left me with a problem moving forward. Although fish are a natural part of various water bodies, will they upset the natural ecological balance of the pond? Will providing a lot of underwater nooks and crannies offer sufficient safe havens for other creatures to survive? Time will tell, but considering most garden ponds do not contain this level of underwater setup, it will be an intriguing experiment.
