Expanding Your Pond Community: Rosy Reds, Tench, Turtles, and Winter Care

Species Details

Rosy red minnows: widely available as feeders; breed in ponds. Tench: no reliable US source. Native fish (e.g., red shiners) may work but check regulations.

Turtle Recommendations

Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) is native to NM. Provide a basking log. They'll eat some lilies but not all.

Winterizing

Use a floating de-icer (100–150W) to keep a hole open. Stop feeding when water drops below 50°F. Beneficial bacteria go dormant; they return in spring.

Resources

See fishpondinfo.com for detailed pages on each species, winter care, and turtle ponds.