The addition of fish to a pond whilst maintaining perfect water quality

1. Have the pond stocked with the relevant quantities of plants.

Try to wait 3 to 4 weeks for the plants to get established before adding any fish. See "Avoiding Problems From The Start", "Establishing Your Pond" and "Stocking Levels".

2. Introduce the fish in late spring. Do not introduce too many at once.

Small fish will be more prone to problems because of their relative frailty. Larger fish take longer to settle in a new environment.

3. Do not move the fish at very high or very low temperatures. 50F(10C) is too low. Keep the fish cool above 70C otherwise oxygen gets lost form the water and the otherwise benign pathogens on the surface of the fish begin to threaten it.

4. When buying fish, take your time. Choose healthy stock. If there are a number of fish in the retailers tank that look unwell, then better not buy any.

Avoid bargains and end of season sales.

A listless solitary fish with fins clamped tightly to its sides in a retailers tank is one to be avoided. If you do want to rescue and give a good home you must quarantine it in a separate environment possibly with a salt water treatment.

5. Expect a pond that has been filled with fresh tap water to go through a green phase at least until a large body of oxygenating weed is established and some plants to cover and shade the surface. Avoid using algicides on new ponds. A chemical additive for 'conditioning' or 'aging' fresh tap water may help you to avoid the green stage.

6. After this, avoid all the potential causes of water problems and check that none have arisen. This may be easier said than done since, for instance, the causes of green water or a bloom of algae can be a subtle blend of innumerable causes, which by themselves may not have any significant effect.