If you want to make the habitat of your pond suitable for fish and wildlife, there are a few things which you need to know. Fish aren’t difficult animals to keep, but there are certain steps which you can take to make sure they will thrive in the environment which you provide for them.
You’ll need to make sure that your pond area is big enough for the amount of animals which you introduce to it. It’s better to have too few fish than too many, as overloading your pond could prove fatal for all of your animals. Remember they will need room to grow as well. The person who you buy them from should be able to advise on how many is a suitable number for your space.
Make sure you have a cover over your pond, especially if you live near water. Birds like herons will see your fish when flying over, and they will look like easy pickings if left unprotected.
Give your fish plenty of shade from sunlight with floating plants like lilies. Deciduous plants’ leaves can get caught in your water filter, so it’s advisable to avoid these. It’s best to wait for plants to become established before adding fish to your pond.
Your pond won’t need to be cleaned very often as long as it is well looked after and remains clear of debris. You won’t need to do a full water change as you would with a tank because your pond will have its own ecosystem which needs to remain balanced.
If you follow these steps you may also attract animals like frogs, toads and newts. You might want to provide logs or rocks at the side of the pond to offer them shelter.