18 gallon pond stocking suggestions.

[Obsessed with fish]

I'm thinking about putting a small pond on my balcony. It will be 70cm in length, 40cm in width and 25cm in height. Its on a balcony so it will be above ground. It will be live planted. Has anyone got any stocking suggestions. I was thinking maybe 1 goldfish and a few cloud minnows? Any other suggestions would be good. I live in a hot climate and it has never snowed because I live in australia.

 

[itiwhetu]

Just white cloud mountain minnows. No goldfish. The WCMM will breed in there and you can sell them to your local LFS.

 

[Circus]

18 gallons is a bit small to have a goldfish with any other inhabitants. The recommended size for goldfish is probably 20 gallons (completely alone), and bigger is always better for these fish (they do get 12+ inches).
White clouds would do okay in that amount of water, or maybe rainbow shiners (not sure if you can get them where you are). I know several barb species like cooler water, but that would really depend on exactly how cool your weather gets. Mosquito fish could also be an option.

 

[itiwhetu]

I have kept Swordtails and Platies outside, in areas where there is no chance of a frost and the water temperature remains over about 15 degrees.

 

[NannaLou]

How heavy will it be…? Will the balcony cope with that much extra weight..? (I’ve got a balcony and have wondered about a water feature- rather than a pond as such)…

Edit: to correct spelling

 

[itiwhetu]

18g is no more than a person

 

[Obsessed with fish]

Thankyou everyone! Its not 100% gonna happen, probably a 70% chance its gonna happen. Thanks for your help. I like your stocking suggestions.