Thanks for your advice Walt. I am geting more confused by the minute due to too many choices and decisions that i will have to live with for a long time. Oh well, I got married once and still am.

My pond is about 15 miles north of Lake Fork, TX. I know TS survive very well in that reservoir. Hopefully they will do well in my new pond.

The Zetts site was interesting. They sell nearly anything that swims, crawls or leaves welts on your body (fleas). Snails sound interesting as they reportedly multiply extremely fast and are good forage for all. Do you have any experience with snails? will they overpopulate to a dangerous level? I have also thught about water salamanders or as some people refer to them as "mud dogs". Any ideas on these creatures in a new pond?

Much to ponder no pun intended. Thanks for all your help as well as other pondmeisters that have interjected their feelings on the issue.

I welcome any more suggestions.