Pond fish, such as goldfish and koi are mainly motionless during cold temps. Fish even though they may be moving does not mean that they are digesting properly. A pond thermometer is the answer to question. When the pond water is above 55 degrees farenheit begin feeding slowly with low temperature fish food. Some use Cheerios which is fine, but I would perfer a we balanced alternative for my fish investment.

FEEDING MY FISH?

If you keep your water in good condition and do not overstock the pond, the fish will require minimal care. If your pond is well planted, and sparsely stocked with fish, they will very often survive without extra food.

However, if you feed your fish, they will become larger, stronger, and tamer. There is an enormous range of foods - pellets, sticks and flakes.There are different blends to provide variety; some are rich in wheatgerm, which is easier to digest and therefore ideal for feeding in cooler weather; others contain algae-meal and carotenes to enhance the color pigments of the fish, and others are designed to encourage rapid growth.

Feed your fish once during the day rather than late evening, as it takes them longer to digest food in the cooler overnight temperatures. Fish should be fed less in cooler weather and more in warmer weather.

In the cool spring and fall feed them only on warmer days and when the water temperature reaches 50 degrees stop feeding them. A pond thermometer is an item all pond owners should have. Feed only the amount of food they will eat in 2 to 5 minutes. Excess food can actually feed the algae. If you have an algae problem, do not feed the fish as often and/or as much. It also is important to dose your pond several times a month with AquaClearer Extreme Bacteria to help balance the excess nutrients created by fish waste. It also will help your fish as it neutralizes the ammonia built up in the water from fish, especially Koi.

Fish can survive for a while without being fed but if you have young koi they will be eager to eat and need fuel to grow. It's all about balance. If you have an algae problem, you have an abundance of nutrients in the pond and not enough plants to absorb the nutrients. Make sure you have enough plants, look at the article on plants. Planting anacharis is the best solution to the algae control. Using bacteria on a regular basis also will help with that problem.


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