Hey I am moving to FL in 10 weeks and was wondering if outdoor ponds are recommended or not over in FL? Good or bad idea? Will the pond still require a heater for tropical fish? I would like to set up a nice big pond outside for rays/sharks/arrowanas or other bigger fish but concerned about the weather and native animals since im from the great NW this is all new to me. Any advice or current setups would be appreciated. Thanks
Outdoor ponds in FL?
- Thread starter aprime11b
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Hey, native floridian here;
I've only done koi ponds outside so far, but planning a new above-ground pond for my tropical predator fish (mostly arowana's). For koi, obviously no heater. Average pond temps during the spring/summer seem to be around 78-82 (perfect for most predator fish). During the winter/fall, however, a heater is an absolute. Pond temps have gone down to under 60 before. However, this is only a few month period, so not much to worry about. And if by rays you mean freshwater rays, either buy your rays in oregon and bring them here, or kiss your dreams goodbye. I would love to have freshwater rays also; however, they are illegal in florida. You can get atlantic stingrays, which they sell as "florida sting-rays" but can only live in freshwater for a year or two, and then must be switched to salt or they will die. Native animals? You may have a problem with herons. I had a problem with a blue heron terrorizing my koi, but a fake blue heron finally kept him away. However, if your keeping aro's, the pond needs to be covered anyways. Good luck!
I've only done koi ponds outside so far, but planning a new above-ground pond for my tropical predator fish (mostly arowana's). For koi, obviously no heater. Average pond temps during the spring/summer seem to be around 78-82 (perfect for most predator fish). During the winter/fall, however, a heater is an absolute. Pond temps have gone down to under 60 before. However, this is only a few month period, so not much to worry about. And if by rays you mean freshwater rays, either buy your rays in oregon and bring them here, or kiss your dreams goodbye. I would love to have freshwater rays also; however, they are illegal in florida. You can get atlantic stingrays, which they sell as "florida sting-rays" but can only live in freshwater for a year or two, and then must be switched to salt or they will die. Native animals? You may have a problem with herons. I had a problem with a blue heron terrorizing my koi, but a fake blue heron finally kept him away. However, if your keeping aro's, the pond needs to be covered anyways. Good luck!
so can you have arowanas or mbu puffer year round outside? cause i am thinking about west palm beach.
Yeah you could but would have to worry about the wild animals picking them off.I don't know if a heater would be needed where you're going.In central FL you would need a heater for winter.
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Thanks for the reply, yeah I would like to do a pond for my predatory fish too. Good to know, we are looking at Port Orange area unless a job moves me elsewhere. I do not have a problem having a heater in the tank for a few months though, here is oregon it would be needed 12 out of 12 months a year!! Maybe another option, would be doing a pond in a covered outdoor area or a florida room which I see most houses have.
So in oregon we can have piranhas and FW rays here (have had both) why are they illegal down there? are any other predatory fish illegal too?
Appreciate the replies.
So in oregon we can have piranhas and FW rays here (have had both) why are they illegal down there? are any other predatory fish illegal too?
Appreciate the replies.
I have a in ground pool i have been running for a couple yrs with no heater in Gainesville Area. I have kept african cichlids, SA cichlids, plecos, shovel and redtail catfish and tons of goldfish in there with out a problem. Keeping it clean is the biggest problem. Its around 10k gallons and abt 5-6' at its deepest.
The FWC is afraid that the fish might get loose and breed and wreak havoc on the ecosystem of a lake, river, or pond. It's more of purposefully tossing the fish into the body of water because who in the right mind would toss out a ray? Especially a motoro! So, black arowanas, jardinis, arapaima, GATF, electric eels, tons of tilapia, and some other stuff.