How to Stock Fish

Whether you have a pond for your yard or you run a business selling fish, you need to know how to properly stock your pond. Depending on your goals, you'll need to know what type of fish will work best as well as how many fish you can safely stock. Knowing your limits will make running your pond much easier and more enjoyable.

Things You'll Need

• Functioning pond

Instructions

1. Determine which types of fish you would like to stock. Write up a wish list of the types of fish you are interested in stocking. For a recreational pond, you may want to look into ornamental breeds of fish. A business may be interested in fish breeds that are suitable as bait or consumables. Research the breeds of interest and gather information about their reproduction rates, feeding types and levels of aggressiveness. This information will become necessary once you are ready to stock your pond.

2. Determine approximately how many fish you can stock in your pond. To find out how many fish you can safely stock in your pond, you will need to know how large the fish will grow upon maturity, how quickly they reproduce and how they feed. Overstocking your pond could result in disease and death for your stock. If you choose a breed of fish that reproduces quickly, you will need to be especially careful. Bottom-feeding fish also require lower stocking and in many cases are not recommended for stocking at all due to the damage they inflict when feeding.

3. Prepare your pond for stocking. Make sure the water in your pond is clear and clean of any debris. If the pond is low, fill it and make sure you have a fountain or other type of water circulation device. This will help keep the water oxygenated. Check the bottom of your pond to make sure you have healthy vegetation growing. You can do this by either reaching down and pulling up some vegetation or by using a cutting tool if your pond is large and deep. Check the vegetation for damage or disease. If you find disease, treat it before introducing any fish.

4. Stock your pond. You can find fish as adults in pet stores or from licensed fish suppliers. If you have a recreational pond, you may want to choose adult fish and harvest out any new fish that hatch. If you are running a business, you will benefit from the wholesale programs available with licensed fish suppliers. You can purchase large quantities of fry or baby fish to stock your pond. The stocking supplier will give you fry in the correct male-to-female ratio. This will help encourage reproduction to ensure your pond becomes self-stocking. Monitor the fish daily, checking for disease and removing any dead fish.

5. Harvest your pond. Know the reproduction cycle of your fish. Some breeds may be harvested only once per year, while other breeds may need multiple harvests each year. Harvests are most easily performed by using a net with holes small enough to keep mature fish in but big enough to let fry escape. From here, you can choose the method you prefer to sell or consume your fish.

6. Perform maintenance on your pond. Check the vegetation levels often, and supplement the fish with various foods if you notice any malnutrition. Have a vet available to help answer any questions and advise you on any additional medications or supplements if you notice any problems with your stock.