Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Stocking in turbid / muddy water , New pond

Hey Beastman,

My understanding is you estimate the pond will end up being 1/2 to 3/4 acres. If you don't know how big the pond will ultimately be, I would assume 1/2 acre when initially stocking. You can always add more. I'm not a pro but some of your stocking numbers just seem a little bit off to me. Maybe one of the pros will comment.

Maybe some food for thought below but maybe you have it all covered...

Are you planning on adding aeration?

What habitat and structure is in the pond? Spawning beds/structure?

Planning on adding vegetation? If yes, what kind?

Setting up a feeder? What pellets will you be feeding? Will the feeder be setup and be ready to go when you stock?

I ask these questions because everybody here at PBF wants to see you succeed and are looking forward to your pics of the kids with fish!

Bill D.

I do plan to aerate.

Will be making some structure and will have some rocks and gravel areas along with a dock.

Vegetation- wasn't planning on it- anything you recommend that doesn't over-take and easy to control? Looks nice / flowers?

Pond is behind my house so plan to hand feed 2-3 times a day a high protein 40-42% aquamax or optimal .

Pond I believe will be close to 3/4 , need to measure but somewhat unique shape.

John- no CC for a lot of the reasons BC states and personal preference to use biomass for HSB and a SMB .

I do have a finger section of the pond , could I possibly block off and give the FHM a chance to multiply and release in stages? I will do some research but my guess is it is tough to keep FHM contained and could be more work than just buying 10lbs in stages .

My personal favorite for a flowering emergent plant is hardy water lilies (dwarf species stay more controlled IMO). They come in just about any color you want. For a flowering marginal/emergent pickerelweed does well for me but there are several good choices. Here is a very good link to the archives on beneficial pond plants.

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=440475

Looks like you have a plan on feeding. Only suggestion I have is that, since you seem to be moving towards a pond dependent on pellets (Which IMHO is ok. Lots of folks have them and grow great fish), just keep in mind if you are hand feeding instead of using an automatic feeder that somebody needs to babysit the pond and feed the fish if you go on an extended vacation.

Thanks Bill, I will do some research on the plants, haven't given it much thought but some of that don't spread much and flower would be a nice option.

I have thought for more about my forage issue if I stock predators early, would adding Tilapia help much?

Adding tilapia in a newly stocked pond has pros and cons. Biggest benefits would be algae control and you could stock smaller tilapia since larger predators are not present. IMO the added forage fish benefit from the tilapia would not be as big of benefit as adding extra FHM because fatheads are much easier to capture throughout the summer for small predators. As the predators grow and algae increases post year 1 or 2, tilapia become more beneficial as a forage source.