Other Pond Fish

Golden Orfe

Golden Orfe (Leuciscus idus) are schooling fish which grow to around 18" in length. These yellowish-orange colored fish are quick moving and will be seen darting around the surface of the pond as a school. Golden Orfes are many times more sensitive to water conditions than goldfish or koi. This is the biggest reason most people avoid them. If keeping Golden Orfes in your pond, you must pay very close attention to the quality of water. If you are considering the Orfe as a fish for your pond never introduce fewer than 3 as without a complete school the fish will not survive. Some states prohibit possession of these fish.

Plecostomus

Plecostomus (Hypostomus plecostomus) are a type of catfish and are often introduced into the pond as algae eaters. They do little more than other pond fish in this respect. These fish are tropical and will not survive the winter in an outdoor pond. Despite purchasing this fish at 3" long and thinking that you can bring it in to an aquarium for the winter, they will quickly grow in a water garden. Full grown plecostomus reach 24" in length (better have a big aquarium.)

Mosquito Fish

Mosquito Fish (Gambusia affinis) are a small guppy-like fish growing only 1-3" in length. While easy to keep the name is a bit of a misnomer in water gardens. True the mosquito fish eats its fair share of mosquito larva, they are not really necessary in a pond containing goldfish or koi as these fish should also consume the mosquito larva.

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