Can I have fish in wildlife gardens small pond?

well-balanced wildlife pond will support just about anything that swims, but the problem with fish is that they are very good at eating everything else. Research suggests that, if you do
choose to have fish in a small pond, you will be limiting the numbers of other creatures.

It is best to start by introducing a small number of native fish and see what happens before proceeding any further. Be ready to be ruthless if fish numbers outgrow the size of your pond.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What fish should I go for? In the UK, minnows, sticklebacks, tench and rudd.

• Will we be able to see the fish? If the day is bright, you might catch sight of the fish flashing through the water, but for the most part small species like rudd and tench will be almost hidden from view.

• How will species like tench and rudd benefit the pond? They are bottom-feeders and as such will clean up all the debris and mess.

• What do species like sticklebacks feed on? Sticklebacks feed on small creatures such as water snails and worms.

• We have a farm ditch that drains down into our water wildlife area – is this a problem? Research suggests that part of the decrease in pondlife has to do with the fact that farmers have upped their livestock numbers, changed their dyke drainage for underground pipes, and increased their use of chemical sprays. This has not only directly resulted in an all-round drop in the numbers of wildlife creatures but, worse than that, toxic chemical residues are leaching into our gardens. The best advice is to dig out a sump at your end of the ditch and plant it with rushes, so you filter and break down some of the chemicals.

• Are goldfish native? While goldfish originated in Asia in the 1600s, they have been in the west for so long that they do very well in garden ponds.

• Can we have big and small fish in the same pond? You can, but remember that big, aggressive fish like tench are going to eat anything that comes their way. The bigger the pond, the lower the risk.

• Should I feed my fish? Be warned – if you make a habit of feeding your fish, the chances are they will become tame and easy prey for predators.

Make sure that the pond provides plenty of food and cover so that the fish are able to hold their own against potential predators