The recent thread on Pond Clarifiers reminded me that I meant to ask:
is it possible to buy sticklebacks to put into your garden pond? And if
so, What Does The Panel Think about 'em?

I know I could just phone up a local aquatics supplier or two, but it's
the range of opinions in News Groups that we like, ain't it.

John

p.s. A supplementary: once, we had a couple of goldfish in the pond
(they eventually passed on). At times we suspected them of eating
tadpoles, but we could never prove it. That was one reason I didn't get
any more goldfish (sticklebacks would be too small anyway to eat tads).

The message
from John contains these words:

The recent thread on Pond Clarifiers reminded me that I meant to ask:
is it possible to buy sticklebacks to put into your garden pond? And if
so, What Does The Panel Think about 'em?

I know I could just phone up a local aquatics supplier or two, but it's
the range of opinions in News Groups that we like, ain't it.

Dunno, but one could 'acquire' a few. They'd thrive, I expect.

p.s. A supplementary: once, we had a couple of goldfish in the pond
(they eventually passed on). At times we suspected them of eating
tadpoles, but we could never prove it. That was one reason I didn't get
any more goldfish (sticklebacks would be too small anyway to eat tads).

Huh! You don't know a lot about sticklebacks, do you?

Damn good job they aren't any bigger, or they'd give pirhanas'
reputations a run for their money!

Goldfish will happily eat tadpoles. Sticklebacks would be enthusiastic...

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

In article , John
writes
The recent thread on Pond Clarifiers reminded me that I meant to ask:
is it possible to buy sticklebacks to put into your garden pond? And if
so, What Does The Panel Think about 'em?

Great fun. Breed happily. The male makes a 'nest' taking little bits of
pond weed to make a nest on the pond bottom, then hangs around showing
off to females.

Male in breeding 'plumage' is quite fancy, with bright red tum.


p.s. A supplementary: once, we had a couple of goldfish in the pond
(they eventually passed on). At times we suspected them of eating
tadpoles, but we could never prove it.

yes. They're carnivorous.

That was one reason I didn't get
any more goldfish (sticklebacks would be too small anyway to eat tads).

True. Ours cohabited well with frogs, but once we started getting newts
we lost our sticklebacks.
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

John wrote:
:: The recent thread on Pond Clarifiers reminded me that I meant to
:: ask: is it possible to buy sticklebacks to put into your garden
:: pond? And if so, What Does The Panel Think about 'em?
::
There are several types of stickleback, some of them make nests, all males
are territorial[1] - the males will guard their nest, constantly
re-arranging it and chasing off any other fish which gets too near, even
attacking a pencil if dipped into the pond near his nest.


:: I know I could just phone up a local aquatics supplier or two, but
:: it's the range of opinions in News Groups that we like, ain't it.
::
:: John
::
:: p.s. A supplementary: once, we had a couple of goldfish in the pond
:: (they eventually passed on). At times we suspected them of eating
:: tadpoles, but we could never prove it. That was one reason I
:: didn't get any more goldfish (sticklebacks would be too small
:: anyway to eat tads).

Sticklebacks will devour tadpoles like there's no tomorrow, along with
anything else that moves in the pond including small fry of other fish,
insects and worms - if you want to encourage frogs and toads you are wasting
your time with sticklebacks - they are natural predators.


[1] if you put a dozen stickles in a glass aquarium, they will shoal
together for a short time and then they will take up residence in a certain
place, any other (males) which venture near risk serious injury and very
often death after being stabbed repeatedly with upward thrusts of the
spines.

--
If God had intended us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs.

I always thought that sticklebacks were stream (i.e. running water) fish and
weren't too keen on the stagnant green many people refer to as "the pond".
If you have continuous filtration then you may be OK but frankly I'd leave
the sticklebacks where they are and stick to plain, ordinary goldfish. Or
perhaps nothing at all and let nature populate it for you!

Paul DS.

The message
from "Paul D.Smith" contains these words:

I always thought that sticklebacks were stream (i.e. running water) fish and
weren't too keen on the stagnant green many people refer to as "the pond".
If you have continuous filtration then you may be OK but frankly I'd leave
the sticklebacks where they are and stick to plain, ordinary goldfish. Or
perhaps nothing at all and let nature populate it for you!

Sticklebacks thrive in ponds - and in running water.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

Thanks for all the replies [so far] folks: very instructive. I really
fancy some sticklebacks, so if I can find some, I will construct some
kind of nursery for young taddies, for next year. (Don't ask me how, but
I will think of something, for sure!)

John