Hobbies And Interests
Panfish
Placing panfish in a pond is a smart idea. The species of panfish range from bluegills and sunfish to white and black crappie with the normal panfish averaging 6 to 12 inches in size and in some cases growing 1/2 lb. to 1 lb.. Panfish will reproduce and provide feed for growing catfish. In addition, panfish can withstand temperatures reaching 85 degrees Fahrenheit and will continue to breed until the fall, according to the website PK Gills. Placing panfish with catfish that are less than 6 inches in size is safe as panfish are more interested in insects, phytoplankton and zooplankton than chasing after fish.
Grass Carp
Somewhat of a docile fish in its behavior, the grass carp spends most of its time at the bottom feeding on green plants as well as plankton. Grass carp are necessary if you own a catfish pond as they will feed on aquatic vegetation and keep the pond clean from harmful bacteria that may accumulate and create fish kills. In addition, grass carp are herbivorous, not carnivores, so they will not attack or feed on catfish.
Koi (Japanese Algae Eaters)
Koi are originally from Japan and are colorful-looking fish. These fish are ancestors of "carp" and feed off aquatic vegetation on the bottom of waters they inhabit. As a scavenger, koi will help in the process of cleaning and maintaining a pond. Additionally, the bright colors of the fish will enhance the overall décor of a pond. Normally, koi 6 inches or smaller are not aggressive towards other fish. However, as koi grow over 6 inches and get bigger in size, the fish will become territorial and aggressively fend off fish that enter into its territory.
Largemouth Bass
If you plan to stock largemouth bass and catfish in a pond, pay close attention to the size of the catfish. If the fish are 6 inches or smaller, don't stock largemouth bass. However, if catfish are over 6 inches, stocking largemouth bass is a good idea. The numbers of largemouth bass should be a fraction of what is actually within the catfish pond. For example, if you have 100 catfish, you should have 10 largemouth bass ranging from 12 to 16 inches in length. The bass will feed on the catfish and reduce the population, preventing the likelihood of stunted channel catfish.
Yellow Perch
Yellow perch is the largest fish within the perch family. These fish are considered by many anglers to be a miniature-looking walleye. The eating qualities are good, and these fish will consume phytoplankton and zooplankton as well as insects, crayfish and small baitfish. Perch will adapt to a wide variety of water conditions as well as climate conditions. When placed in a pond with catfish, yellow perch will feed on the sick and injured and thin out the population to allow growth within the pond. Yellow perch reach a size of 12 to 14 inches in length and are catchable year-round regardless of weather conditions or temperatures.