Goldfish Station

Just like a fish tank, your pond should be wider and longer than it is deep. You want as much surface-to-air space as possible. The pond should be no more than, say, three to four feet deep at the deepest part. Just remember, you'll have to be able to pull your fish out too, so don't make the pond too deep, or it will be impossible to get them back.

The pond should be large enough so that sudden temperature changes won't affect the temperature of the water too quickly. Many people have been known to use old large tubs, large children's one-piece plastic pools or strong wood frames hung with layers of heavy-duty plastic sheeting. It just has to be nontoxic and hold water. There are many different shapes and sizes that can be used.

The rule for ponds is thirty square inches of water per one inch of fish. And remember, the larger the space, the faster your goldfish will grow. Within a year to a year and a half, a six-month-old goldfish placed in a pond, if given enough room, will grow to be almost eighteen inches long.

If you are considering breeding in a pond, make sure to leave a shallow end, say, approximately twelve inches deep, for the spawning area. The fish will naturally spawn here, so be sure to have plenty of plant life. This is a good place to feed your fish as well, so that you can see them clearly and enjoy them more fully.