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Fish are a wonderful way to enhance your water features. But not all fish are suited for a life outdoors. Nakata James Landscaping in Kaneohe, HI, has over 30 years of experience creating gorgeous backyard water features for residents throughout Oahu. Here, the team offers their top four picks for the best pond fish. 

The 4 Best Pond Fish for Your Water Feature

1. Goldfish

Goldfish are colorful, hardy, and adaptable. When raised in a pond as opposed to a bowl, goldfish can grow as long as 12 to 18 inches. Because of their size, these fish require ample space to swim and grow. As a rule of thumb, provide 50 gallons of water per goldfish, with a minimum of 250 gallons of water in the pond. Goldfish can also survive in a winterized pond, provided it is at least four feet deep and has a design encouraging oxygenation. 

2. Koi

water features kaneohe HIKoi are by far the most popular choice of fish for water features. They are prized for their vivid colors and unique patterns and can grow two to three feet long. Like goldfish, they require plenty of space, with at least 300 gallons of water per fish. The minimum pond size is 1,000 gallons. Koi can also survive in a winterized pond at least four feet deep. 

3. Rosy Red Minnow 

Rosy red minnows make a fantastic addition to backyard water features of any size. At a minimum, a group of minnows requires 20 gallons of water in which to swim. They’re bright and beautiful, hardy, and low maintenance. They’re also very adaptable to cold weather. However, minnows breed quickly; even if you incorporate predation, you’ll find your pond constantly teeming with juveniles. 

4. Sunfish

Sunfish rival goldfish in hardiness and beauty. They’re also extremely adaptable to frigid conditions. Sunfish congregate near the surface in shallow water, unlike koi and goldfish, which sometimes like to hide. Some of the most popular species of sunfish for water features are pumpkinseed and bluegill. If you’re stocking a large pond with sunfish, consider including a predator like a largemouth bass to keep the population in check. Otherwise, they may propagate too quickly and become malnourished from lack of food. 

For more water feature and garden planning tips, contact the experts at Nakata James Landscaping. Owner James T. Nakata is one of the area’s most renowned landscape designers. Specializing in Oriental and Japanese gardens, he also designs tropical gardens, rock retaining walls, ponds, and fountains. Call (808) 330-8389 to discuss your next project, or visit the website to see examples of their work. 

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