As your pond begins to cool off, it is time to reduce feedings and switch to low protein food. Once temperatures drop to 55 degrees or lower, goldfish metabolisms and digestive systems slow down so much that they cannot process additional food efficiently.
Feed your fish only what they can consume within five minutes to prevent overfeeding and waste of food. This will avoid overdosing them on food!
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Water Temperature
Pond fish are cold-blooded creatures and as water temperatures decrease their metabolisms slow. Digestive enzymes become less active while their bacterial flora becomes dormant making digestion harder for them. When temperatures dip into the sixties it’s best to stop feeding your pond fish altogether as their fat reserves should have built up during summer and there will likely be plenty of natural sources that they can feed upon in your pond.
If your goldfish seem hungry again after winter, once temperatures have stabilised at approximately 50 degrees you should begin feedings of Growth & Vibrance cold-weather food (a high protein diet which should be easier for them to metabolise). Keep an eye on their water temperature; using a thermometer will allow you to determine when you should reduce their feedings before giving them their winter break.
Feeding Frequency
Consistent feeding schedules for your goldfish are essential, yet overfeeding may occur. A general guideline would be no more than what they can consume within 10 minutes. Overfeeding can lead to waste in the water as well as improper digestion that leads to sickness and bloating in fish.
As a general guideline, try to feed your fish at roughly the same time each day with at least six hours between meals. If you work shift hours or are raising children alone, matching up feedings with your sleep cycle may provide greater consistency for both you and your fish.
As warmer water temperatures require your goldfish to work harder to digest their food, more frequent feedings may be required during summer. Once winter approaches, try switching over to an easily digested wheat germ-based formula such as Blue Ridge Cool Water Wheat Koi and Goldfish Food as preparation.
Seasonal Feeding
As summer nears its climax, make sure to feed your goldfish a high protein diet to promote growth and weight gain. Be sure to provide sufficient feedings; any uneaten food should be removed promptly. Introducing some leafy greens into the pond can also provide additional nutrition while they forage for food on its bottom surface.
As your water temperature begins to decrease, gradually decrease feeding frequency until reaching once daily feeding at most. We offer Fall/Spring fish food which contains more wheat germ than our standard variety and will aid digestion during this time of year.
At temperatures under 55-60 degrees you should cease feeding altogether. Goldfish metabolism slows significantly at these temperatures and any leftover food may rot and kill them; in an unmanaged pond this typically isn’t an issue as the fish will still have access to foraging on any algae that has grown on its lining or substrate.
Treats
As seasons change and water temperatures decrease, pond fish slow their metabolisms in preparation for winter. While they still require a well-balanced diet, their digestive systems become less effective at breaking down proteins efficiently; it is recommended to feed them once or twice per day with Legacy Cold Weather Food or Hikari Cold Weather Sinking Food during autumn and winter to maximize survival rates.
On hot days, your fish may seem desperate for sustenance; but don’t succumb to this urge! Algae growing along the sides of your pond should provide sufficient nutrition for them through winter.
Feed them only what they can consume in five minutes to prevent nutrient pollution of your pond and experiment with different feeding frequencies until you find what works for your aquatic friends! By keeping their health and happiness intact, your pond will look its best year round!
