Ponds, koi, goldfish, coldwater fish articles

Ponds, koi, goldfish,
coldwater fish
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sardinella _amlygaster_sirm.jpg (4546 bytes)
Sardinella (Amlygaster) sirm

new VALUE OF PONDS TO THE COMMUNITY by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: In these times of environmental concerns, Dr.Lawler outlines the many benefits provided by ponds - for animals and humans.

new TRAPPING SNAKES IN A POND by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Dr.Lawler provides useful advice for catching snakes in ponds using minnow traps and cages.

KOI PONDS - DISPELLING MYTHS ABOUT CONCRETE PONDS
by Doug Hoover
Summary: An experienced builder provides his "secret formula" for success in using concrete for waterfall and pond construciton.

LANDSCAPING AND GARDENING IN THE WET by Lyle Marshall
Summary: Installing a pond can be cheaper, easier, and may use less water than a lawn (!). Lyle gives step-by-step instructions for building a simple inexpensive pond.

PREDATORY BIRDS AND SMALL FISH PONDS by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Everything you need to know to protect your small fish pond from common predatory birds.

POND RECOVERY AFTER STORMS by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Dr.Lawler outlines the kinds of damage inflicted by severe storms on ponds and suggests steps to follow for recovery.

POND LINERS by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: A summary of how to construct a pond, followed by a discussion of the different materials that may be used to line it: clay, concrete, HDPE, PE, preformed ponds, PVC, vinyl.

HOW TO CHOOSE A POND PUMP by Brett Fogle
Summary: Submersible pumps may be suitable for smaller ponds, but external pumps are best for medium or large ones, and in fact are better overall. Flow rates are discussed.

ONE POND IS NEVER ENOUGH! by Sherry Kruszka
Summary: Three years ago Sherry built a 2000 gallon pond on her farm in Wisconsin. The next year she built one of 6000 gallons, and this year a uniquely beautiful one in an old red boat. She says that if she could think of a way to build a pond from one of her husband's junk cars she would! Lots of nice photos.

FISH HEALTH IN HOT SUMMER HEAT by Brett Fogle
Summary: Fish gasping at the surface indicates that there is not enough dissolved oxygen in their water. What to do about this.

SHADING TO INCREASE WATER (AND OXYGEN) CIRCULATION IN PONDS DURING THE SUMMER by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Hot weather causes lower oxygen levels, especially at night. If a pond is partially shaded, the water in that part cools down and sinks, resulting in natural water circulation without using electricity. The effectiveness of various shading methods is discussed.

NATURAL COOLING AND CIRCULATION OF WATER IN PONDS
by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Cooling of pond waters, and thus an increase in dissolved oxygen, can occur with evaporation, radiation, convection, shading, and addition of cooler water. Decaying organic debris can cause low oxygen problems during warm weather, but may provide fish a warmer place to survive through the winter.

GETTING YOUR POND READY FOR WINTER by Sue Speichert
Summary: A checklist of things to do to make sure that you and your pond are all set for the cold winter months.

CHARLIE'S POND: GETTING READY FOR WINTER by Charles Drew
Summary: Winters in Hamilton Ontario are very cold. Charlie describes what he does to help his plants and fish survive.

YOUR POND IN WINTER by Brett Fogle
Summary: A series of five pieces extracted from Pond Stuff, the newsletter of MacArthur Water Gardens, Boca Raton, Florida - Winterizing your pond; Overwintering pond fish; Why can't I just let nature take care of my pond in winter?; Caring for aquatic pond plants; Pumps and filters.

new PROPOSED SPECIFICATIONS FOR NUTRIA-RESISTANT GEOTEXTILES by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: What kind of material qualities would be needed for a "geotextile" to be nutria-resistant? Dr. Lawler explains.

new PROPOSED TESTS TO DETERMINE IF GEOTEXTILES ARE NUTRIA-RESISTANT Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Dr. Lawler explores ways to test geotextiles to see if they stop nutria from digging in pond banks and levees.

NUTRIA: TROUBLE FOR WATERWAYS by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Dr. Lawler describes the problems posed by nutria (an aquatic rodent), on rivers, ponds and adjacent banks. He provides a number of methods for controlling this creature.

THE CONTROL OF ALGAE IN PONDS by Robert Fenner
Summary:Types of algae and their prevention. Biological, mechanical and chemical control. An integrated management approach.

BARLEY STRAW: NATURE'S WAY TO RID YOUR POND OF STRING ALGAE by Sue Speichert
Summary: Studies in England show that barley straw is a natural, low-tech way to keep your pond free of string algae.

THE STRING ALGAE BLUES... by Brett Fogle
Summary: Algae appear due to an excess of organic nutrients in the water. There are various ways to deal with the problem.

SALT TREATMENTS: CHICKEN SOUP FOR YOUR FISH by Myron Kebus
Summary: "Salt is probably the safest and the most forgiving of all the drug or chemical treatments available for our fish." Its general use in ponds and aquariums, and for treating parasitical and bacterial infections. Salt dips and salt baths. Kinds of salt, how to measure, and how to use. An authoritative article.

POND SALT FOR HEALTHY FISH by Brett Fogle
Summary: Salt is "absolutely the very best thing you can add to your pond in terms of keeping your fish happy and healthy."

POND LIVESTOCK ACCLIMATION by Robert Fenner
Summary: Bob discusses physical, chemical and biological stressors, and recommends a formaldehyde bath system. Quarantine is also strongly advised.

SUMMER TUBBIN' by John Sipes
Summary: John has ten tubs of fish outside on his deck in summertime. He first tried swordtails and guppies, then was surprised to find his snakeskin gouramis had bred, then his zebra danios, and since then many other species.

MY OUTDOOR TROPICAL POND by Ricky Grange
Summary: During the Canadian summers, Ricky keeps a variety of tropical fish outdoors in a simple pond, where they thrive, become big and colourful, and multiply.

FISH FOR PONDS AND WATER GARDENS by Ed Katuska
Summary: Ed has kept a variety of fish outside in his Connecticut summer garden, and has had success with white clouds, paradise fish, Betta splendens, jewel cichlids and others. How to set up suitable water gardens.

NATURAL AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS by George White
Summary: Small water features are interesting additions to the summer garden. Fish such as killifish or cichlids can be kept in them.

KOI SELECTION by Robert Fenner
Summary: When buying koi, first examine their health. Then consider their aesthetics: body shape, figure or conformation; intensity of color or pattern; distinctness of color or pattern; distribution of color or pattern. These four factors determine the value (and price) of koi.

HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN GOLDFISH AND KOI by Brett Fogle
Summary: Koi need larger ponds, better water quality, and more experienced fishkeepers. They can cause problems with plants.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE SOCIAL LIFE OF JAPANESE KOI CARP
by Colin Calway
Summary: Colin rears koi under natural conditions on his fish farm in Florida, and observes that as they grow up, koi develop different social behaviour patterns.

GOLDFISH, PART III. BREEDING by Jennifer Wilkinson
Summary: Breeding goldfish. Selecting quality fish. Fungus. Feeding the young. Culling. Shipping fish and eggs.

GOLDFISH, PART IV. DISEASES by Jennifer Wilkinson
Summary: Goldfish diseases. Importance of quarantine. Some white spots or bumps are not diseases. Blood streaks in fins; anchor worms; swim bladder problems; ich; fungus; velvet. List of references.

BUYING AND HOUSING YOUR GOLDFISH by Les Pearce
Summary: People buying goldfish as pets should select varieties according to beauty rather than whether they match up to show standards. Water in ponds and tanks should be mature before being gradually stocked.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR GOLDFISH by Aquarian Fishfoods
Summary: A basic introduction for first timers. Contains an interesting list of common 'tropical' fish that can also be kept at cooler temperatures, which could be extracted for use on its own.

THE 'COMMON' GOLDFISH by Les Pearce
Summary: Les points out that the 'common' goldfish deserves more respect than it sometimes gets. He discusses its origin (crucian carp?) and the three colour groups (nacreous, metallic and Matt) and finally suggests that tropical fish keepers should consider the goldfish when looking for "something different."

GOLDFISH JUDGING IN AMERICA by Rick Graham
Summary: As a judge at the GAAS North American Goldfish Championship, Rick gives some inside information as to how and why judges rate fish as they do.

EVOLUTION OF THE GAAS NORTH AMERICAN GOLDFISH CHAMPIONSHIP
by Rick and Debbie Graham
Summary: The Grahams were instrumental in developing America's premier goldfish competition, which is held in Akron, Ohio each year.

GOLDFISH HEALTH MANAGEMENT - Part I by Bill and Cheryl Sanders
Summary:The importance of microscopic examinations. The use of salt against parasites. The correct use of fluke tabs.

GOLDFISH HEALTH MANAGEMENT - Part II by Bill and Cheryl Sanders
Summary:Treatments for bacterial infections. "Swim bladder disease." Recommended Internet sites about fish health.

ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR by Les Pearce
Summary: A traditional prize gift at fairgrounds in Britain and other countries is a small goldfish. This initiates some people (including the author) into a lifetime of fishkeeping, but others do not treat their fish so well. Les suggests that the practice be regulated.

LANDSCAPING AROUND YOUR POND by Robert Fenner
Summary: Landscaping tips, and suggestions for plants that can be used around a pond, plus a very long and interesting list of plants which can be toxic to fish and which should not be planted near a water feature.

BAMBOO FOR PONDS by Dr. Adrian Lawler
Summary: Bamboo is visually pleasing beside a pond. It provides shade, can act as a screen, and can be a barrier to large fishing birds. When pruned its canes have other uses. How to select, plant, and care for the two basic types.

THE SACRED LOTUS by Jack Wootton
Summary: The Sacred Lotus of the Orient, Nelumbo lucifera, has a close North-American relative, Nelumbo lutea. They are best kept in a bog, where they will over-winter in climates up to Zone 6.

CREATING A TANK FOR NATIVES, 1: STILL OR SLACKWATER SPECIES TANK by Brian Torreano
Summary: Based in Wisconsin, Brian catches and sells native North American fishes, particularly darters, and has written this series to advise beginners. Still/slack water fish species swim at different levels. They may require extra aeration.

CREATING A TANK FOR NATIVES, 3: THE PLANTED TANK
by Brian Torreano
Summary: Some native fishes prefer planted conditions. Commonly available and easy-to-grow plants are listed and described.

SOME COLDWATER FISH by Andy Gordon and Michelle Stuart
Summary: Notes on keeping and breeding the hillstream loach, weather loach, three-spined stickleback, northern redbelly dace, rainbow darter, bullhead, and sunfish.

THE BLACK-BANDED SUNFISH, Enneacanthus chaetodon by Bob Bock
Summary: Black-banded sunfish occur in mid East Coast USA, They are best left alone in the wild, but are sometimes found in stores or through the Internet. They are more demanding than other sunfish species.

SAVING THE LONG-EARED SUNFISH by Fred Hamilton
Summary: The longeared sunfish, Lapomis megalotis, is endangered or extinct in much of its former range in Central and Eastern U.S. In an effort to conserve them, Fred bred and raised 200 fish, which he distributed to collectors and also to the Cleveland Metropark Zoo. Nicely illustrated.

FRESH WATER MUSSELS - BETTER THAN A ROCK by Robin Engelking
Summary: Robin describes some North American fresh water mussels and how to keep them. "Mussels are filter feeders and will keep your water sparkling clean."

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF FATHEAD MINNOWS by Dale Speirs
Summary: A well-researched article about the ecology, keeping and breeding of Pimephales promelas, with a comprehensive list of references.

BREEDING THE FATHEAD MINNOW Pimephales promelas by Woody Tews
Summary: The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage Department uses fathead minnows for experiments and testing of treated sewage water. Woody saw how the laboratory breeds them, and also bred some at home himself.

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