9 replies to this topic

[egriffin]

Oppps, put this in the plant forum by mistake. Anyhow, I have a basement pond....live in NE....so my basement gets chilly. The water temp right now is about 55 degrees. Are there any catfish that I can add to my pond that will get along with koi and don't mind cold water?

thanks, Ed

[oldmarine]

Most any native cat fish that you can catch in a local lake will do fine. Cat fish are extremely hardy under most conditions, and they are quite adaptable. They will servive swampy mud water or rapid moving river water.

[koiguy1969]

i have reservations about putting local wild fish in a pond tho..for the simple fact that the local wild fish may carry disease (bacterial,and viral) and or parasites that may not affect them, but our breeder raised (controlled enviorment) fish may not have immunities to,

[egriffin]

Thanks....I'll see if I can't find something at the local pet store...

[koikeepr]

Is there a particular reason you are looking to add a catfish? Some folks want to add them because they think they'll eat everything that sinks to the bottom...but koi love to bottom feed, so they'll eat any real food that sinks.

[egriffin]

No reason other than I like catfish. My pond is pretty clean so no need for a catfish to clean up.

[koikeepr]

got it. was curious as to what your interest was. nice to know you have a legit passion for 'em. Just take note that in a dark bottom pond a catfish may be hard to see, and they can get pretty big in a pond, too. you don't mention the size of the pond.

[egriffin]

thanks for the advice. my pond is only about 400 gal. I have had bigger ponds outside, but moved recently and havent' put one outside yet.....wasn't motivated to dig the hole this year.....the ground is full of rock here

[Wayne79]

I have 2 catfish in my pond they are only about 8 inches long at the moment but seam to get on fine with the koi and goldfish in there.

[ZmanArt007]

Hey, a fellow Husker! There aren't many on this forum. I might add some catfish to mine as well. Good to know that they will be fine.