  thumb|right|medieval fish pond still in use today a fish pond, or fishpond, is a controlled pond, artificial lake, or reservoir that is stocked with fish and is used in aquaculture for fish farming, or is used for recreational fishing or for ornamental purposes. in the medieval european era it was typical for monasteries and castles (small, partly self-sufficient communities) to have a fish pond. ==history== during the winter, supplying fresh food for a castle garrison was a constant struggle. although meat would be available from deer parks, this couldn't supply the needs of the whole household. a fish pond provided an elegant solution. as long as there was a natural flow of water into the pond, fish required no feeding and were available all year round. there would usually be a series of ponds, with fish being moved between them as they grew. ==aquaculture== fish ponds are used today in aquaculture. they are common in: *canada *europe, especially in the czech republic (roÅ¾mberk pond, velkÃ© dÃ¡Åko, lake mÃ¡cha), where common carp may be kept. *the philippines where milkfish, tilapia, crabs, lobsters, tiger shrimp, snails and others may be kept. *east asia, especially in japan with koi, trout and hera-buna(carassius cuvieri)ãthe japanese game fish. fish ponds are also being promoted in developing countries. they provide a source of food and income from the sale of fish for small farmers and can also supply irrigation needs and water for livestock.fao, farm ponds for water, fish and livelihoods fao, rome, 2009 ==gallery== file:fishing pond - geograph.org.uk - 391512.jpg|classic fishing pond used by the clay cross angling club file:brickpits fishing pond - geograph.org.uk - 1054267.jpg|fishing pond on grainthorpe fen file:coarse fishing pond at green lane farm - geograph.org.uk - 513827.jpg|coarse fishing pond in england file:pirton-pool-by-philip-halling.jpg|medieval fish pond file:0703 - milano - giardini della guastalla - peschiera - foto giovanni dall'orto 5-may-2007.jpg|historic fish pond file:fishing platform - geograph.org.uk - 1096040.jpg|fishing platform, designed for wheelchair users, at the edge of a fish pond. ==see also==   *ancient hawaiian aquaculture *garden pond *kahaluu fish pond *koi pond *raceway (aquaculture) *raceway pond *sea cage *stew pond *water garden  ==notes==  ==references== * aston m (1998) [http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=zbexaqaaiaaj&q=%22fish+pond%22|fishpond&dq=%22fish+pond%22
Aquaculture Fish_ponds Fishing