Other Temperate Fish

Bullhead Catfish

From the Ictaluridae. These North American catfish are - both physically and behaviourally - very interesting, but they are also predatory. Some of the madtoms are very small, e.g. Pygmy Madtom, while others such as the Stonecat can grow to around 12in (30cm). the bullheads, e.g. the Brown Bullhead, which grows to around 20in (51cm), are much bigger, while the channel Catfish, which is more widely avaiable, especially in its albino form, is larger still, attaining a length of around 50in (1.25m)

Sturgeons

From the Acipenseridae family. Sturgeons can be giant sized creatures, with species such as the Beluga (Huso Huso) growing to a maximum length of over 16ft (5m). As far as a garden ponds are concerned, though, only two species are available in any numbers: the Sterlet which grows to around 47in (1.2m) and the very attractively scaled Stellate or Star Sturgeon, reaching 60in (1.5m). Even at these relatively modest sizes (in sturgeon terms), both species are large and can, obviously , be kept in substantial ponds.

Loaches

From the Cobitidae family. Several species of loach, none exceeding around 12-14in (30-35cm) in length are occasionally on offer. Some as the European Weather or Pond Loach (Misgurnus fossilis) - which is reported to grow to 14in (35cm) in the wild - become hyperactive when there is a drop in barometric pressure, as happens prior to a storm. At such times it can be seen gulping air at the water surface, as can the closely related Dojo, Japanese or Chinese Weather Loach, which can grow to 8in (20cm) and is also available in a golden form.

Darters

From the Percidae family. Although they belong to the same family as the predatory European Perch, American Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) and Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus), the darters are small (4in/10cm) North American and Canadian bottom-dwelling fish, some of which are under threat in the wild.