How can I responsibly source some goldfish

[PatchWorkAnnie]

I have a small pond and would like some goldfish in it (to eat the mosquito larvae 🦟 and because I like them), but I don't feel like buying them from a pet shop or such. I've thought about looking on gumtree etc but most of them have been kept inside-will they thrive in a cold climate?

Or, are there any other species of fish that would do okay in a UK garden pond?

@MereDintofPandiculation

Green tench are purely veggie so compatible with wildlife. On the other hand, they’re not very visible. We had one that grew to over a foot long, but we’d see him only once every few weeks.

Not true I'm afraid. Maggots and worms are top baits for them.

OP you could get half a dozen golden Rudd, a beautiful native fish that'll eat insects and take years to get big.

@vimtosogood you’re right! So is it because they eat slow moving stuff and don’t chase after tadpoles that makes them OK in a wildlife pond?

@MereDintofPandiculation

I guess so, they are bottom feeders and I have never heard of anyone catching one by fly or lure, or even bait suspended mid water. Do they bubble when feeding in your pond?