Pond Stocking

[confusion]

I'm having a pond being built in my backyard. My contractor believes it'll be around 4300 gallons - I don't see it being quite that much - I'm thinking less that 4000g. Anyhow, what is the appropriate number of Koi for a pond that size? I have heard 3/1000G - that would be 9 or 12, depending on who's right, correct?

I have also been thinking about adding a big school of WCMM's - maybe 40 or 50 fish. Will they become Koi food, or will that be ok?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

What is the depth, length and width of the pond roughly? These measurements are more important than the gallons really when it comes to stocking fish like koi. WCMM's will definately become fish food very quickly if you are stocking koi, where abouts do you live in the world/what is your climate like? Does it freeze at all where you live during your winters?

 

[confusion]

It's an odd shape, but overall, it's about 11'x8' and about 4' deep, in a somewhat diamond shape.

I live in Atlanta, GA. We do freeze a few times each winter, but typically only over night before it thaws.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

It's an odd shape, but overall, it's about 11'x8' and about 4' deep, in a somewhat diamond shape.

I live in Atlanta, GA. We do freeze a few times each winter, but typically only over night before it thaws.

You could have a few koi in there then (if you can get pics of the pond that would be really good to help give us a better idea of the size and shape of the pond), although this pond is bordering on the minimum recommended size pond for koi (usually 12ft long 6ft wide and 4ft deep). Goldfish like comets and commons would be very suited this pond, although unless you heat it, fancy goldfish would be a no-no.
There are also numerous of types of fish you can go for, like tench, orfe, chub (i think also maybe chub too, although i don't know much about them) etc. If you do go for koi you will definately need to filter the pond though.

 

[confusion]

Thanks. I'll get some picks. The pond will be filtered. It has a skimmer box with a (albeit somewhat lame) filter, and a big pump that will feed a waterfall into a river like thing that then dumps back into the pond.

 

[confusion]

I took some pics. Here is about the best one:

There are some different angles here:
http/aquariu.ms/images/v/pond/?g2_page=3

The curved wall is about 16' long. It didn't end up being quite as deep as I had hoped - only about 3.5'

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Hmm, its too shallow the for koi really i'm afraid to say.
However, common and come goldfish will grow to a good size in such a pond (over 15inches long), and would make ideal fish for such a pond if you want sociable friendly fish with lots of colour .

 

[tropicman]

or maybe some gudgeon for the bottom maybe just a thought