A sparkling garden pond surrounded by verdant foliage and filled with colourful pond fish is a delight to behold. There is a certain magnetic pull that lulls you in and before you realise it an hour has passed as the sights, sounds and smells of this tiny ecosystem have had a large impact. There are some wonderfully fascinating and not so well-known facts about pond fish that any garden pond owner may be interested to know. For example, a fish’s brain on average is 15 times smaller than a similar sized mammal or bird. The age of a fish can be determined by counting the number of growth rings found on its scales much like one can determine the age of a tree by counting the growth rings found on its trunk. Fish including pond fish can control their own buoyancy by adjusting the amount of gas in the swim bladder!
The record for the longest surviving goldfish was made in 1999 buy a goldfish cold Tish who lived for 43 years after being won as a prize at a funfair in Yorkshire! Another record amongst goldfish is the longest goldfish ever recorded, measuring a whopping 18.7 inches and hailing all the way from the Netherlands. The life span of cold-water fish is surprisingly long for example car can even live as much as 50 years.
One of the most common and well-loved types of pond fish are goldfish. For this we can thank the Chinese who domesticated a type of carp to become what we now know as goldfish almost 2000 years ago. These were used as ornamental fish in ponds and tanks and were considered a symbol of luck and fortune and at the time were permitted to be owned only by members of the Song dynasty. Goldfish however do not always have to be gold. For example, the species of carp from which goldfish were originally domesticated are a dull grey-green colour. Mutations over the years have caused these pond fish to become differing shades of orange, red or yellow and there are now hundreds of varieties.
The large selection of goldfish and pond fish in general could seem all rather overwhelming if you are looking to stock your pond with fish. The Waterworks Aquatic Centre in Leicestershire are experts in water gardening and pond supplies, including pond fish as well as tropical aquariums and tropical fish. We are ever ready to help you with any of your garden pond or pond fish-based questions. Our website outlines manny of our products and services and you will also find a list and description of a selection of our favourite pond fish as well as advice in terms of their feeding and general care. The team at the Waterworks Aquatic Centre are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality of service, products and livestock. We are here to help and look forward to serving you and working together to help enhance the health and beauty of our environment.
