Question
I HAVE A 100 GALLON POND AND WANTED TO STOCK IT WITH FISH BUT I DONT REALLY WANT THE TYPICAL KOI AND GOLDFISH AND WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER KIND OF FISH THAT COULD LIVE IN THE POND I ALSO HEARD THAT I COULD PUT A CATFISH IN MY POND IS THAT TRUE?

Answer
Hi CJ,
thanx for your question.  I went on a pond tour here in Kansas City a few years ago and this man had a small pond that he had stocked with native fish.  There were bluegill and bullhead catfish in his pond.  If you want to stock native fish, for a 100 gallon pond, use the small species.  Find out from your state's department of natural resources what kind of fish are native to your area.  Be sure to check on the legality of catching certain fish which may be on the endangered species list, etc.  You don't want to tangle with the authorities on that.  I don't see why you couldn't put a small breed like bullhead catfish in the pond but 100 gallons is rather small for native fish.  Sunfish would be a colorful choice too.  Many of the perch, crappie, sunfish, bluegill can be rather aggressive and you'll have to determine which fish will tolerate each other but like I said, 100 gallons is rather small for native fish.  I hope this helps.  If you live in a frost-free area like Florida or California, there are some sub-tropical species of aquarium fish that might survive outdoors such as some species of Mollinesia (mollies) which would survive in your pond (Florida, California), maybe some species of guppies, platies, swordtails.  It's all dependent upon how cold your water temperatures get in your area.
Tom