I presently have two young orandas and a baby lionhead . I am thinking of upgrading my tank to a 20 or 30 fromt the ten gallon. However I was wondering if when one of orandas gets large enough and outgrows it's tank , if it woudl be o.k. to live in my friends outdoor goldfish pond? Just thinking.They are all still babies now but I know how fast they will grow, so just asking ahead of time.

Kris, generally orandas do very well in ponds. Where do you life temperature wise? Does your friend's pond freeze during the winter? That would be a major concern for the oranda. Other than that, its perfectly okay. They are happy campers in ponds.

I live in St. Louis, Missouri. Our winters very around here. My freind has his pond right across the river from here in St. Louis in Illinois ( St. Louis sits right across the river from the Illinois state line. )

How does your friend protect his fish during the winter - covering them, sticking a de-icer in it, bringing them inside?

I have several Oranda's that go in my pond from May to September. I do bring them inside for the winter because they don't do well in NY winters.

[COLOR=green]Thanks for the help everyone. I asked my friend what he does with the fish in the winter and he says he leaves them in the pond and they survive all winter without a problem. I may have to gvie Tangerine up (one of my orange and white orandas) . I noticed this morning that he is bullying Marmalade (smaller oranger and white oranda)and Glimmer( my baby lionhead) ,especially at feeding time. Then after feeding time was over I watched him pushing Glimmer out of the way. The other oranda used to swim with him , but I noticed that she ( Marmalade the smaller oranda )is hanging out with and swimming more with Glimmer (my baby lionhead). Tangerine is the biggest in the tank . He is probably about 3 1/2 inches not counting his tail. I have a ten gallon tank ( I know I am overstocked I am planning to upgrade to a 29 gallon soon) . I needed to know if he would be o.k. in a pond and you all have answered my question. I think I will ask my friend Jim if he wants him . Or I may ask Dean on here if he would like him for one of his tanks instead. However that may overstock Dean tank. Anyone here in St. Louis Area interested in him?

I think he would do fine in your friend's pond, Kris. With a big body of water, the temperature will stay a lot more stable than in smaller waters, and the goldfish might just stay pretty close to the bottom of the pond, where its warmest.

Thanks Ranchugirl. My friend at work was all ready to take him, but I found another member on this site who also gave a new home to my corys , says he wants Tangerine. He has a 30 gallon tank and Tangerine should be happy there. I am meeting him and his Mom on Sunday to give him Tangerine. He absolutely loves the the two cory cats I gave him so I know he will take good care of Tangerine.

well... you do have to keep in mind the possibility of herons or raccoons. Even the incursion of water beetles