If you’re lucky enough to have a pond, you know the joy it brings to your home and your backyard. From attracting nearby wildlife to lulling you to its relaxing sounds. Ponds create magical landscapes and beautiful homes not only for ourselves but for pond fish too! But what happens to our fish friends when we take to the cozy indoors for the winter? Good question. In this blog, we’re going to discuss the dos and don’ts of winter pond fish care.
Pond Fish
To keep your fish safe during the winter, you will need to start by identifying whether your fish can withstand cold winter temperatures. Here is a list of popular pond fish that can survive in outdoor ponds during the winter months.
Sterlets
Koi
Goldfish
Sticklebacks
Golden Rainbow Trout
Rosy Red Minnows
Feeding
Due to their natural ability to hibernate, you must not feed your fish during the winter months. To survive such cold temperatures their bodies adapt by lowering their metabolisms and using their energy to stay moving, instead of digesting. Feeding your fish during this process is likely to cause damage or death by choking or toxicity.
Winter Pond Care
There are two key elements when it comes to helping your pond fish survive the winter. The first is to ensure your fish don’t freeze and the second is to ensure they’re getting adequate oxygen. To do this, you’re going to want to have a Pond Aerator or Aqua Jet Pump. Both will create a more stable environment for your fish by increasing air circulation which will prevent your pond from freezing and provide your fish with the oxygen they need to survive while preventing unwanted gas build-up.
Frozen Pond Tips
If your pond is already frozen, do not break the ice. Breaking into a frozen pond could be deadly for fish either by striking them or stunning them from the vibrations. For the best tips and tricks to help your pond fish in the winter, check out the latest episode of Get Up and Grow with Gord and Jasmine below.
