How do I Add Fish to my Phoenix Pond?

When Can I Add Fish to my Phoenix Pond?

First and foremost, DO NOT ADD fish to your Phoenix pond until the ecosystem has had a good 6-month growing season to mature (more if it's been a cold winter).  Fish like to chew on plants and root around in the pond, so the plants need to have a healthy root system established to overcome fish activities.

What's the Process for Adding Fish to my Phoenix Pond?

The number one killer of pond fish is stress.  This makes the acclimation process (adding fish to your pond) one of the most important moments in your fishie’s life.  Each time a fish is captured, transported, and released, it's a stressful event for that fish – how stressful is in the hands of the “handler” – literally.  Three things contribute to stress levels in you new fish:

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1. The act of capture and transportation itself.  The quicker this part is done, the better.  Do not go grocery shopping or run a couple of errands while fish are waiting in a bag in your car!  Fish should be transported from the acquisition location to their new home as quickly as possible.  The smaller the quantity of water, the faster the temperatures can fluctuate.  This brings us to the second factor affecting fish stress levels.
2. Rapid temperature swings are very stressful to fish.  Most fish stores will recommend floating the fish in your new pond until the temperature in the bag water and in the pond is equalized.  This is a sound methodology for avoiding the temperature stress problem.
3. What is not accomplished by floating the bag of new fish is pH equalization.  Here in Arizona, our pond pH naturally hovers around 8.5 (+/- .5).  The pet shops will try to store fish for sale at 7.8, which is neutral pH, as all the books on the subject recommend.  If you try to keep your pond at a neutral pH, you will be doing battle with Mother Nature on a daily basis, and are likely to have regular fish stress problems all the time.  Koi and goldfish can, and do, tolerate a very high pH environment.  We have found that it is better to acclimate your fish to our alkali conditions, which is not only less stressful to the fish, but also to the pond owner.

These processes can take a minimum of 30 minutes, and up to several hours, depending on the difference in temperature and pH.  DO NOT hurry this process.  Take your time and do it right.

Where Can I Get Fish for my Phoenix Pond?

If you're interested in getting show-quality Koi, there are many sources that you can research on the internet, and find the best pricing and methodology that meshes with your beliefs, wants, and needs.  If you're simply interested in some cool pets, we recommend the local pet store.  Buying small is less expensive, and they acclimate to the pond environment much more easily.

Gambusia (Mosquito Minnows):
Gambusia should be acclimated in the same manner as described above.  Pet stores will often carry them, but you’ll need to call around.  Many cities, towns, and counties will give them away as vector control.  For example:

Maricopa County Vector Control (free source)
3343 W. Durango
602-506-0700

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Other Phoenix Pond Blog Articles You Might Enjoy:

HOW MANY FISH CAN I HAVE IN MY PHOENIX POND?
WHY IS THERE FOAM IN MY PHOENIX POND?
SHOULD I PUT SALT IN MY PHOENIX POND?
IS A HIGH pH BAD FOR MY PHOENIX POND?