Naturally colorful and eye-soothing pet fishes are highly expected to the pet keepers for the personal fountain which is adjacent to their house. There are verities of pet fish that can be kept in a fountain as well as in aquarium also. It will be easier to maintain your pet fish in a fountain.
If you are in a hurry, here is a list of fish suitable for fountains-
- Japanese Koi
- Catfish
- Goldfish
- Mosquitofish
- Rosy red minnow
- Sunfish
- The Golden Tench
The fountain has a natural food source, lighting system, and freshwater flow these are always expected to keep your pet fish healthy, safe, and sound. The natural surroundings of your fountain will increase the activity of your pet fish. In this article, we will know about some fish for fountains.
Things to Consider Before Selecting Fish for Fountain
You have to consider a few things before setting up a fountain and selecting fish for your fountain. these steps will help you to maintain your fountain properly. The things you can do are listed below.
- You can feed them only once in a day.
- You have to keep plants inside the pool of your fountain so that they can get shade from direct sun heat.
- The pH level should be within 6.6 to 7.6.
- The temperature of the pool water is better between 18 to 25 degrees centigrade.
- The water from the sprayer of your fountain should not hurt the fishes.
- The pool water of your fountain should be kept clean from algae and other garbage.
7 Ideal Fish for Fountains
Japanese Koi
They are very popular fountain fish because of their mixed color combination. This variety of koi was developed in the 19th century in Japan. They are also a carp type of fish. They appear in shades of white, black, yellow, red, and cream.
They can grow up to 90 centimeters. The average expected life of a Japanese koi is about 40 years though the oldest koi is to be lived up to 230 years. They are omnivorous so they will take food from all depth of water.
You can keep them with goldfish. They are quite expensive than other pet fish but it will be worth buying to decorate your fountain with this fancy fish.
Catfish
If you are thinking to set up a large fountain then catfish should be the best choice for your fountain. They have got a large dark body that is enough to add some bold unique look of your fountain. You can identify them with their whisker-like barbels.
They can grow up to 48 inches long though it depends upon the species. They are omnivore and they will take food from all depth of water. They have got a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. They are available and less expensive.
Goldfish
If you are looking for a fancy fish for your fountain then obviously you should go for goldfish. They were developed in China. They are colorful, hardy, and fancy. They are freshwater carp type fish. This colorful fancy fish will increase the attraction of your fountain.
They appear in red, orange, white, and silver colors. They can grow up to 12 to 18 inches. They are also omnivore and they have life span on an average 10 to 15 years. They can survive in a winterized pond. They are available in the pet shop and they are less expensive also.
Mosquitofish
As the name addresses these fish are widely known for reducing the birth of mosquito in the backyard pond or fountain. You can identify them with their dull gray coloration and large abdomen in a small body. The anal fins on the female body resemble in the dorsal fin and in the male it becomes pointy.
The female mosquitofish grows up to 2.8 inches and male mosquitofish grows up to 1.6 inches. The expected life span of mosquitofish is 1.5 years but few pet keepers told that they can survive up to 3 years under proper maintenance.
They are larvivores, so they will eat natural mosquito larva from the pool of your fountain. You will find this tiny creature is another less expensive than other pet fish for your fountain.
Rosy Red Minnow
This freshwater fish is known by another name such as fathead, rosies, tuffy, rosy red. They can make a very nice addition to your fountain. They appear in three color variations as golden, pink, or pale orange. The male fish has a deep body color than the female fish.
The male grows up to 3 inches and the female grows up to 2 inches. You will find them in a peaceful manner. They are omnivore that means they will take plant related food. The expected life span of this fish is about 2 years, under proper maintenance they live up to 4 years. This fish is also less expensive than other pet fish, you can keep them to decorate your fountain.
Sunfish
If you are looking for the most attractive, colorful, and active freshwater fish for your fountain then obviously sunfish would be the best choice for you. They are known .as one of the most adjusted pet fish. Blue-spotted, black-banded, clad banded are the color variation of the sunfish.
They are known as carnivorous, they prefer to take larva, small insects from the water. You can feed them packed food and frozen shrimp. They may grow up to 9 inches after proper maintenance. The expected life span of sunfish is about 6 years. They are expensive fish but available but be sure that you will be happy with them.
The Golden Tench
This colorful fish was developed in Europe. They are known as doctor fish because they don’t fall ill easily. This fish’s skin contains an antibiotic coating that will prevent your other fish from falling sick. But if you want to keep this fish in your fountain, the depth of the pool should be 28 inches or above.
This fish lives up to 15 to 20 years. They grow up to 16 to 26 inches under proper maintenance. They appear in orange color with dark spots often. You can keep them with other fishes in a group. They are omnivorous so they will take natural food from the pool of your fountain. These beautiful fish are available and less expensive also.
can you put feeder goldfish in your outdoor pond ?
Yes. they will live happily in an outdoor pond. Just make sure the water quality is good.