minnows for a pond

GeorgeK

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Are there minnows that will eat mosquito larvae but leave the tadpoles alone? It was suggested to me to get feeder goldfish, that they generally are of a species that won't get over a couple inches long so will preferentially go after the larvae instead of tadpoles. I want something that will be self sustaining in our new pond. I do not plan to fish them. I'm just trying to decide on a proper habitat for the frogs and also as a livestock watering hole.

For temperature extremes we are zone 5 for winter and zone 7 for summer.
 
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GeorgeK

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Hmm, perhaps Killifish might be better for the ecosystem?
 

GeorgeK

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Decided to go with Rosey Red Fatheads. I found a supplier that sells them 20 cents apiece as feeder fish if you buy more than 100. They'll leave the tadpoles alone but eat mosquito larvae. They also should leave the Elodea Canadensis alone, an aquatic plant to provide aeration and act as a nutrient sink and reduce the risk of algae blooms since sheep will be using this as a stock pond and undoubtedly their doots will wind up in the pond. Now trying to find a freshwater shrimp to scavenge but survive agricultural zone 5 winters.
 
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