Inherited a large goldfish. Please tell me how to look after him

[2Magpies24]

Got the keys to our new house today, lovely garden and a tiny pond about 1m across x 40cm deep. I thought it was a nature pond but couldn’t believe my eyes when from under the plants out popped a large goldfish about 2” length. The sellers didn’t even tell us about the poor little thing!
I know nothing about fish, but really want to do what’s right for him. The pond is tiny and husband thinks it’s too small for him, nonetheless we can’t move him as he seems quite happy. There is no pump or filter and the water seems quite dirty, but there is lots of vegetation, I have a lot of questions-

Do I need to feed him?
Does the water need some sort of oxygen pump?
Does it need a filter?
Should I try and top up clean water?
Does he need a friend?
How much vegetation is too much? There is a lot.

We’ve called him Simon, he’s our new friend and I want to do what’s best for him. Thanks!

Photo of Simon please!!

Promise to post some tomorrow, he’s fast asleep now!

I’ve just read they can live for 5-10 years! But most did much earlier. Did they forget about him? I don’t have any practical advice for longevity. Ours didn’t survive for long.

You will need a pump and a filter. Ping pong ball will keep hole in ice during winter. Go to local aquatics for advice on size of pump and filter. If too much vegetation pull some off. Aquatics will advise on how many fish for your pond also.

Following as i want to see simon 🤣

Would you consider rehoming, if the pond is too small? They also do better with other fish. Where I live there is a local facebook fish rehoming group, often people advertise pond space, so you may find someone local that has a lovely big pond, where Simon can have lots of friends!

Here’s the little fella (photos pending). He seems quite rotund so not sure he’s starving! Probably not enough room to exercise. Seems a bit mean really, might look for fishy rehoming groups. Thanks all

@2Magpies24 we had to rehome a pond full of fish, we just put them up on Facebook, the new owner then sent us photos of them in their new five star accommodation which was lovely. Keeping a pond is really hard work, you would need to clean the filters out too which is a smelly messy job and probably not worth it for one fish 🐟

We have a modest sized pond with various types of goldfish that breed and keep repopulating it. I do feed in the summer when they are active (koi sticks or similar for a big fish), you shouldn't feed when it gets cold it's not good for them to eat much then. Our pond is pretty overgrown, I dredge out a lot of the worst in the spring and try to keep a reasonable amount of the surface clear. Don't put too much fresh water in at one time they get used to the pond water and tap water is sort of 'foreign' so add gradually over days or week if necessary. You may need some oxygenation, a little fountain would be nice. It's recommended to not let it freeze over completely as gases build up under the ice, but don't smash the ice you can create a nasty vibration in the water. Good luck with your new friend, you could get him a couple of little chums to play with.