I just moved to this house that has a small pond in the backyard. I measure it today and it is about 36 by 23 inches wide but there is a ledge on one side so the deep part is about 23 by 23 and then the depth is about 17 inches. So I am guessing it is about 40 gallons about. but it is an irregular shape and the bottom is it gets smaller in as it goes down so at the bottom it is about 15 by 15 inches wide.
I really want to put some things in it. I saw a Red ear slider at the pet store and I thought maybe i could get one of those. but I want fish too and i read it eats fish. I live in a place where it doesn't really get real cold. it never snows I think the coldest it gets here is about 42 degrees and the hottest 110 but we have already past the hot days and the pond is in the shade.
But I just need suggestions about what to get. and would I need to bring them in during the winter? because it doesn't get that cold. I wanted a Koi. But I know my pond is too small. is there smaller koi? Should I get a turtle? I wanted little turtles that would swim around with the fish but I liked the red ear slider.
Any suggestions anyone??
Thanks

It sounds like about 40 gallons. That's a bit too small for a turtle but not impossible. The pond is only 17" deep. Even though you don't have to worry about freezing, more depth also keeps the pond from overheating in the summer and keeps the water chemistry more stable. A red-eared slider would eat smaller fish and nip at larger ones. Koi need 1000+ gallons so your pond is way too small for them. We all wish there were mini koi! Goldfish grow to 14" and are similar to koi. Rosy red minnows and other small native fish are neat and stay small, a few inches long. Since it doesn't get really cold there, you shouldn't have to bring in temperate species of turtles, fish, etc. but if you get some tropical fish, you would need to bring them in in the winter. Red-eared sliders eventually grow a foot long and would not have enough room in your pond. You might consider building a new, larger pond. Otherwise, I would stick with some small native fish or perhaps tropical fish (brought in in the winter).

So, if I get a Red ear slider turtle I wouldn't have to bring it in for the winter? Even though I read they like water temperatures at 75 degrees. Do you know of any other possible turtles to put i the pond? Maybe small turtles?
Thanks

Red-eared sliders can overwinter in ponds with ice on the surface so they could definitely overwinter at your pond if it never freezes. If any ice formed, because your pond is so small and shallow, then I would say to bring in a red-eared slider. My page on turtle ponds is at http://www.fishpondinfo.com/turtles/turpond.htm

There are smaller species of turtle but most get almost as big as red-eared sliders. The really small species tend to be those that are endangered and protected. You would have to see what's available in your area. You might contact your local turtle club to see if they have turtles for adoption. They could also advise you about the local conditions for turtles and their ponds as well as the various laws for your area.