Pond Fish (also see Pond Critters)

Koi
Cultured by the Japanese for centuries, their brilliant colors and patterns were selected to be admired from above. Although they can be used in fairly small installations, koi thrive in larger pools, where they can reach lengths over 2 feet. Koi are beautiful fish, add them to your pond and enjoy the splendor. They will entertain you with their antics, impress you with color and seldom refuse a good meal. Our koi are treated to be free of external parasites and bacterial infections.

We would like you to know that we take fish health very seriously. The fish purchased from Japan and the "American Made" Koi from our mud ponds go through an extensive quarantine process. This year we are turning down offers for "second hand fish" to prevent KHV from occurring at our farm.

Pond
Good body shape but more monotones, and less strikingly patterned. Ideal for sizable ponds where good views are limited.

Ornamental
Distinct patterns but not as clearly defined or intensely colored as Show Quality. Perfectly fine for most mid-sized water gardens.

High Quality
Clear, clean patterns and brilliant colors. The ones to get for quiet pools where a clear view is available.

Butterfly Koi (Long Fins)
We have imported these beautiful fish with their long flowing fins from Japan.

From the small garden pool to a large recreational pond, fish add that vital living element that seems to complete the aquatic world you've created. We offer species suitable for every size of water garden. Of course, the larger species need room and are not adapted for smaller installations. If you're unsure which types of fish are right for your situation, give us a call. We'll be happy to recommend species that match both the size and use of your pond or pool.

Goldfish
Goldfish add life to even the simplest water gardens. Hardy and adaptable, they can thrive in small pools or large ponds, where their bright colors make them highly visible and fun to watch. Easy to feed and care for, they frequently reproduce in all but the smallest installations. In addition to their beauty, they are valuable as a forage fish for larger predatory species.

Black Moore - Dar chocolate to black color with protruding eyes
Calico Fantail - Multi-color pattern of red/blue/silver/black.
Comets - Elongated single tail fin. Most often gold to orange.
Sarassa Comets - Classic comet shape in red on white.
Sarasa Fantail - Red on white.
Shubunkins - Also called calico. Spotted gold/silver/black/blue.

Golden Orfe
Faster than the average heron, the golden orfe is an ideal pond fish. Hardy and adap table, orfe are a good choice for new ponds as they aren't too picky about water conditions. This is a sociable, schooling species, so be sure to release at least five individuals for best results. In good weather you'll often see your school of light orange orfe swimming just below the water's surface.

Largemouth Bass
One of North America's premier freshwater game fish, largemouth bass are surprisingly adaptable to variable water conditions and foods, as well as being tolerant of low oxygen levels. An intelligent predator (well…for a fish), bass can be trained to eat pellet or live food from your hand when stocked alone. Call us to discuss stocking recommendations for your specific site.

Sunfish (Bream)
The fish most often caught by children just starting out with a hook and line. We offer Pumpkinseed and Bluegills, the most popular and best-known pan fish species. Both are brightly colored, spunky and hardy. They’re guaranteed to give an amazing amount of fight per ounce -tons of fun on ultra light tackle.

Catfish (Channel)
O'le whiskers as Ernie Gibbs would say is a "fish of desire and character." You can have fun training catfish to accept food and grow them fish story size.

Yellow Perch
A smaller relative of the Walleye, this pretty fish is fun to catch and delicious to eat. Stocked as small fingerlings, they grow quickly to a nice size on available forage fish and zooplankton. Larger fish are available on a limited basis. Call for details.

Rainbow Trout
The famous and tasty favorite. Adaptable and hardy, these western US natives have been introduced all over the country except in the hottest areas. Trout need good water circulation and water quality to thrive. Larger breeder fish are available Call for details.

Grass Carp
These vegetarians are useful for controlling some types of aquatic weeds. They're certainly cheaper and safer than herbicides.

Forage Fish
Lunch for larger fish. Before stocking bass or game fish, be sure to restock an older pond if your predator fish aren't growing; stalled growth means the supply of forage fish is depleted. We can help you get a self-renewing culture of forage fish going in your pond. Call us for information.

Tips on Feeding Fish

• Only feed what the fish will quickly consume. All food should be eaten in five minutes. Uneaten food just rots and creates water problems.
• If possible, feed half a ration twice a day rather than a full day's ration once a day.
• Postpone feeding at times when oxygen levels are low, such as cold rainy days, after sunset, before sunrise, and overcast, gloomy days.
• All newly hatched fish, whatever the species are omnivorous and must have phytoplankton (minute free-floating plants) and zooplankton in abundance to thrive. They're unable to eat commercial fish food until they're a little older and bigger.
• Never feed fish with food that has passed the expiration date or that has visible mold on it. Some molds are toxic to fish.