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Hello...I was wondering how many fish could be placed in a 780 gallon outdoor pond. Thanks :%)

It really depends on the kind of fish, and somewhat on filtration. Can you provide details other than your signature line on what you'd like to stock, and do you have the pond filtered for 780 gallons?

Empty chairs at empty tables, the room silent, forlorn.

Well, I would like to add more of the types of fish that are on my signature line plus some tadpoles and a catfish...but im flexible with whatever types of fish are availible.

I have a mechanical filter right now-I'm not an expert on them though. It uses lava rocks

[span class="edited"][Edited by Fishie561 2004-06-29 21:04][/span]

What's the old rule of thumb for aquariums: 1 inch per gallon? I've also been told that 1 inch per every 10 square inches of pond surface is a good rule of thumb. That's about how my stocking level works out. I've got Comets, Shubukins and a bunch of killis and mountain minnows. I can say from experience that comets and shubukins will get big. Mine are between 6 and 9 inches and still growing, although not so fast anymore. Beware, they will also cross breed. For the last 2 years I've gotten a couple of unexpected dividends. Shubucomets? Combukins?
Also, catfish will eat anything they can fit in their mouths. Beware of putting in young goldies, unless you are refering to plecos. Each Summer I get some inch long common plecos for my pond. At the end of Summer I trade them back to the lfs. Great for keeping down the algea.

Dolf...Thanks a lot How big is your pond? Would it now be wise to get a catfish...Would it be better to get a pleco? Now will all shabunkins get that big or does it depend on the size of the pond. My pond is 780 gallons. Right now my comets are about 2 inches and my shabunkins about an inch and a half...They cant even eat a whole piece of food we have to break some in half...

[span class="edited"][Edited by Fishie561 2004-06-30 08:37][/span]

My pond is about 500 gal. It is actually a combination of 3 water gardens that flow into a larger fish pond. I've never kept a catfish in the pond. When I was younger I used to keep cats and bullheads that I caught in the local ponds. I quickly learned that a 2 inch bullhead fry can and will eat a 1 inch guppy. I never kept a cat or bullhead for their scavenging, I just thought they looked cool. What you put in is going to depend on what you want out of the fish. A cat will be active and visible and scrounge everywere for food (but so will your goldies). On the other hand, you'll never see your plecos as long as they have proper hiding places. I put plecos in my pond for the summer. They do a great job on algea and don't bother the other fish. At the end of the year my lfs is happy to take them off my hands. I wouldn't put in any cats because I think they would eat my Killi fish.
My comets started at 1 inch in a 110 gal pond. That was 5 years ago. Last year I put in my current pond to releave crowding and to incorperate the water gardens. I still have 3 of the original feeder comets. The largest is the 9 inch female. I got Shubukins 4 years ago at about 1.5 inches. They are up to 6 inches now and at least 1 of them has been getting it on with my big female comet for the last 2 years. As for size, my fish haven't noticeably grown this last year in the new pond and since they are breeding I'm guessing they are pretty much full grown. I've read that they will keep growing, although much slower throughout their adult life. So plan ahead, and good luck.