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Tips to Maintain a Healthy Backyard Fish Pond
Fishes in your garden ponds are susceptible to a host of diseases if the pond is not maintained in the right manner. The basic reasons for this are outlined below:
1.) High levels of ammonia or nitrite in the pond water
Fishes are living beings and generate biological wastes like ammonia. This can happen in increased proportions if the fishes are over fed or the backyard fish pond is over stocked. In addition ammonia levels in the water can increase also because of uneaten fish food, water run-offs and decaying plants. Increased levels of ammonia or nitrite in the water can cause an increase in the stress levels of the fish eventually resulting in death.
Solution: Keep the pond water free from ammonia by adequate biological filtration. In addition be sure to regularly monitor the ammonia and nitrite levels of the water using an ammonia kit. Never overstock your pond with fish and do not feed them more than necessary. Feeding should be reduced to half the normal proportions during winter seasons.
For immediate treatment of high ammonia levels in water, make use of ammonia neutralizer chemical and then retest the water with an ammonia testing kit after 48 hours.
2.) Low oxygen level in water
Oxygen dissolved in water is vital for the survival of pond fish. Low levels of oxygen can lead to suffocation and reduced disease resistance eventually leading to death. This happens especially during warm weathers when the fish become more active requiring more oxygen.
Oxygen concentration of the water can decrease because of improper aeration, high temperatures, decaying pond matter and heavy fish stocking.
Solution: The solution here is to aerate the pond water to increase its oxygen content. Installing a water-fall or fountain is a good way to achieve this. Pond pumps should be checked for their GPH rates to ensure that they pump at-least half of the pond water in an hour. In addition to these the pond should be kept free of debris using mechanical filters
3.) Handling Fish in the Wrong Manner
Most pond owners do not realize this, but handling fish in the wrong manner can damage their outer slime lining which acts as a shield against pathogens. A damaged outer slime can take time to develop, during which the fish becomes susceptible to pathogens present in the pond. Improper handling can also damage fish scales and fins that can result in heavy salt loss from the fish's body leading to muscle spasms and heart failure. Removed fish scales tend to create an opening for infection.
Solution:
While handling the fish, make use of a damp cloth or wet your hands with water. Covering the fish's eye using a damp cloth is a good way to ensure that the fish does not move vigorously damaging itself. If you are transporting the fish to a temporary pond, make sure to net them separately to ensure they do not hurt each other.
4.) Overstocking the Pond
Overstocking your pond with fishes can result in lowering of oxygen levels of the pond water which can prove to be fatal. In addition more number of fish in the pond will lead to an increased level of fish wastes being produced, adding to the ammonia level of the water. This can lead to suffocation leading to death.
Solution:
Calculate the volume of water in your backyard fish pond and have only adequate number of fishes that the water quantity can support. Consider the adult size to which the fish can grow if you are introducing them young. Generally the ratio is 1 fish (approximately 1 - 1.5 inches) per 50 liters of water.
5.) Making the Pond Exposed to Toxic Chemicals
Almost all toxic chemicals right from fertilizers to algaecides can cause harm to the fish.
Excess use of these chemicals in a pond that lacks proper filtration can increase the level of chlorine and other salts present in the pond water causing damage to fish as well as beneficial bacteria.
Solution:
Never make use of herbicides or algaecides in ponds that have fish. Locate your pond in an elevated area and build a solid pond wall to prevent run-off water from entering the pond. In addition test your tap water for chlorine and other salts and make use of proper means to remove chlorine before the water is poured into the pond. Locate your pond away from oak and pine trees as their shedding can pollute the pond water with poisonous chemicals.
6.) Exposing Fish to Extremely high temperatures
Most backyard pond fishes cannot survive under extremely hot climatic conditions especially if the pond is shallow. Hot temperatures can also lower the oxygen content of the pond increasing the stress level of the fish.
Solution:
Pond fish can be protected from direct sunlight by growing lots of shade providing aquatic floaters like water lilies. These plants cover the water surface and provide the fish with much needed shade. In addition the depth of the pond should be at-least three to four feet as water beneath tends to remain cooler.
7.) Exposing Fish to Extremely cold temperatures
Extremely cold temperatures can freeze the pond surface which can lead to fishes getting less oxygen. In addition there is a risk of water toxins increasing. Fish can also freeze to death in-case the pond is shallow.
Solution:
The pond should be made at-least three to four feet deep. This will prevent the entire pond from freezing. If the pond surface gets frozen, some areas can be melted using hot water to provide a means for exchange of gases between the pond water and the environment. You can also make use of pond heaters during the winter to keep the water from freezing.
8.) Improper Edging
Sharp features in the edges of the pond can cause injury to the fish. Fishes like Koi that have the habit of jumping out of the pond can get severely affected by sharp edges. Infection can develop easily in case the fishes are injured and can spread across the unattended pond.
Solution:
To keep the fishes from harming themselves, make sure that there are no sharp edges around the pond. In addition ensure that the pond does not have any thorny bushes that can grow above the pond surface.
So if you are planning to build a fish pond make sure that you pay special attention to all the above mentioned problems to have a trouble free pond all year long.
Related Reads
Tips for Fish Pond Management
Important Considerations for Building an Easy to Maintain Pond
Preparing your Fish Pond For Winter
Effective tips to control Algae in Garden Ponds
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