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Golden Orfe, Pondfish Profile 

 

By Neale Monks Leuciscus idus by Neale Monks

Aquatic Gardens

Ponds, Streams, Waterfalls & Fountains:
Volume 1. Design & Construction
Volume 2. Maintenance, Stocking, Examples

V. 1 Print and eBook on Amazon
V. 2 Print and eBook on Amazon
 

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

The Golden Orfe is a yellowy-gold variety of a Eurasian fish known as an Ide, or Leuciscus idus.

 

Description and adult size

 

Orfe are streamlined, slender fish with large tail fins. They are clearly built for speed, and compared to Goldfish are very active, even hyperactive. They are very jumpy and have been known to jump out of small ponds. Under typical pond conditions adults reach a length of around 12 inches/30 cm, though maximum lengths in the wild are very much greater.

 

Water chemistry and temperature

 

Water chemistry and temperature aren't critical issues provided extremes are avoided, but like most other Eurasian fish, hard rather than soft water is best, and the pH should be above 7 rather than below it. On the other hand, Orfe are extremely sensitive to poor water quality. They will not last long in small, unfiltered ponds. Realistically, they are only suitable for ponds measuring 1000 gallons upwards, and a decent, high-turnover biological filter is absolutely essential. Water features such as fountains that help to drive off CO2 and increase circulation are a major plus.

 

Unlike Goldfish, Orfe aren't likely to do well in ponds that freeze over. It is very important that a pond heater or similar device is used to keep an ice free patch on the pond that allows oxygen in and carbon dioxide out. During the winter they will tend to remain active but in deeper water.

 

Diet and social behaviour

 

Unlike Goldfish and Koi, Golden Orfe are predatory, and generally don't damage plants or do much digging. This makes them a great addition to ponds where clear water and delicate plants are desired. Indeed, their natural diet includes things like snails and mosquito larvae, so they're quite beneficial fish in terms of aquatic ecology.

 

Besides worms, insects, snails and crustaceans, captive specimens can be expected to do well on a good quality flake or pellet food, but unlike the flake or pellets used for Goldfish and Koi, these need to be meat-based rather than plant- or wheatgerm-based. Earthworms are another popular food. Generally, Orfe take food from the surface and ignore food once it has sunk more than an inch or two down the water column. Orfe are quite greedy fish and will need regular meals, even when the water is quite cold, though feeding them once ice forms is probably unnecessary.

 

Orfe must be kept in schools of six or more specimens. They are notoriously shy when kept in smaller groups, and singletons rarely live for long.

 

Orfe in the United States

 

Orfe are legal in most states, but are prohibited in some, including Texas; check with your local fish and wildlife department if you're unsure about the legality of this species in your area. Although not a major pest species, Orfe do have the potential to establish themselves in US waters, and in doing so, could cause problems for native species of fish and invertebrates.

 

Aquatic Gardens

Ponds, Streams, Waterfalls & Fountains:
Volume 1. Design & Construction
Volume 2. Maintenance, Stocking, Examples

V. 1 Print and eBook on Amazon
V. 2 Print and eBook on Amazon
 

by Robert (Bob) Fenner
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