Stop feeding pond goldfish when the water temperature drops to about 50°F (10°C), and cut back to light feeding with an easy-to-digest wheat germ food once it falls below about 59°F (15°C). Below roughly 45 to 50°F, goldfish barely digest food, so uneaten feed just rots and fouls the water. Here is how to wind down feeding in fall and start again in spring.
Use water temperature, not the calendar
Goldfish are cold-blooded, so their appetite follows the water temperature. A floating pond thermometer is the simplest guide. Check it in the morning before you feed.
- Above 65°F (18°C): feed normally, once or twice a day, only what they finish in a few minutes.
- About 50 to 60°F (10 to 15°C): feed a low-protein, wheat germ based food once a day or less, in small amounts.
- Below about 50°F (10°C): stop feeding. The fish slow down and rest near the bottom.
How to wind down feeding in fall
- As nights get cold, switch from a high-protein growth food to a wheat germ or cold-water food.
- Reduce portions and offer food only on days when the fish are active and the water is above your cutoff.
- Remove any food left after about 5 minutes with a net.
- Stop feeding completely when the water is consistently under about 50°F.
Preparing the pond for winter
- Net out fallen leaves and dead plant material so they do not rot and release gases under the ice.
- Clean the skimmer basket and filter, or shut down the filter if it cannot run in freezing weather.
- Keep a hole open in the ice with a floating de-icer or an air stone so toxic gases can escape and oxygen can enter.
- Make sure the pond is deep enough that part of it will not freeze solid. Many keepers aim for at least 2 to 3 feet in cold climates.
When to start feeding again in spring
Start again when the water stays above about 50°F for several days. Begin with small amounts of wheat germ food, and move to a regular staple as the water warms past 60°F. Goldfish digestion wakes up slowly, so feeding too heavily too early can make them sick.
Do they need extra food from you in winter?
No. Healthy goldfish live off their body reserves and the algae and tiny life in the pond in winter. Fish that are healthy going into fall do fine without food for the winter months.
Signs you are overfeeding
- Uneaten food floating or sinking after a few minutes
- Cloudy or green water and a bad smell
- High ammonia or nitrite on a test kit
- Stringy waste trailing from the fish
Frequently asked questions
Should I feed my goldfish in winter?
No, not when the water is below about 50°F. Their digestion nearly stops.
What if my fish seem hungry on a warm winter day?
If the water temperature is still under about 50°F, hold off. A short warm spell in the air does not warm the whole pond.
What is the best food for fall and spring?
A wheat germ based goldfish or koi food, which is easier to digest in cool water.
Bottom Line
Feed by water temperature: normal feeding above about 65°F, light wheat germ food between about 50 and 60°F, and nothing below about 50°F. Clean the pond, keep the surface from freezing over completely and restart gently in spring. If your fish look sick, talk to a fish vet or experienced aquatic pet store.
Related reading: Wardley Goldfish Flake Food Review and Tetra Fin Goldfish Flakes Review.
