Silly Question?

[juggernuts]

Hi guys basically, my dad has a big pond out the back garden, it has a filter which must be pushing 300l capacity alone, so hope that helps some extent basically over 20 foot long yada yada yada.

Now my problem is i have a common plec which all be it my baby but is going to be to large for my 260l tank.... my question is, has anyone ever put a common plec in a pond and would it survive???

the only reason i ask this is because i have seen commons in a goldfish tank yeh it was huge but was only a monster common and some large goldies sooooooooo

anyone any advice or expirience? as oh yeah i dont want to get rid of the fish hope to keep him till i uprgade!

THANKS!!

 

[reeeedfish]

It depends on were you live. Plecos are tropical fish and i wouldnt doit if there is a chance of ice in the winter. You could get away with it if you hada a deep enough pond(2-3ft) and a decent heater. Pretty much, just make sure the pond doesnt freeze over.

 

[famous]

i think it is illegal to put non uk fish species in outdoor ponds because if they escape then they can disrupt brittish ecosystems

 

[craig855s]

I can just see a common plec crawling out of a garden pond and making it's way to the nearest lake...

 

[Big_eyes]

I can just see a common plec crawling out of a garden pond and making it's way to the nearest lake...

 

[vfg10]

lol
hi
I have 2 plecs in my pond for about 6 months and there ok but I think it really depends where you live
I live in mexico so it doesn't get to cold

if they are old enough they can handle better the cold

good luck

 

[juggernuts]

Thanks for the replies people, I love the thought of Raver my plec getting out of this pond and simply walking to the nearest lake

I live in the north east of england,would it be totally neccesary to put a heater in?? My girlfriend had a fancy fan tail goldfish lived in a 30 litre tank for about 9 years, we put it in my pond just before last winter, we had -8 and lower with at least 3 inch of ice on the pond and its still alive....... I can just see my fishy getting to its full potential in the pond as like any, theres lots of juicy algae all around the sides and bottom!!

If you reckon i did a water stat check on the pond, obviously there will be some variations but if essentialy its the heat do you think it would survive? the plec i would say is about 2 year old and is about 15 inch long including tail.

Thanks again!
Paul

 

[craig855s]

I don't think the plec will cope with the very low temps, and the fast change in temp over the day/sight and seasonal changes... Maybe with a heater in the tank set to a low temp so the tank never drops below xx degrees, maybe 20? I've thought personally about how cool it would be to have tropical fish outside in a pond with a glass panel in the side (obviously build the pond into a raised bit of garden so you can be down on the patio looking at the tank)

 

[juggernuts]

I don't think the plec will cope with the very low temps, and the fast change in temp over the day/sight and seasonal changes... Maybe with a heater in the tank set to a low temp so the tank never drops below xx degrees, maybe 20? I've thought personally about how cool it would be to have tropical fish outside in a pond with a glass panel in the side (obviously build the pond into a raised bit of garden so you can be down on the patio looking at the tank)

I had a friend of the family build a large pond in their garden with a glass panel in the side all be it amazing, the first time they did it the glass ruptured and ended up with water all over the garden (not just a little amount either) but now its all up and fine it does look pretty #40## awsome!!

Ive decided not to move my poor pleccy, like you say sudden temperature change etc etc he is my baby haha,

nearly purchased myself a polka dot lyre tail adonis plec today eeeeeek can grow to 60cm, I WANT ONE but why is my mother so anti getting another fish tank, i only have a 4ft and 2ft in my bedroom

Thanks for the help guys, really greatfull
Paul

 

[england]

No i dont think he would make it, i didnt know it was illegal to keep trops in outdoor ponds in the uk

I would not imagine they would make it through our winter's, sub tropicals and coldwater true, things like channa argus/sunfish and more i know are on the list, but imagine heating a pool through the winter

I know of a lad who built a raised tropical pond in his garden the built a sunhouse over it, thats a good idea, room is heated as apposed to the actual water