Forums36
Topics40,947
Posts557,814
Members18,486
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
1 members (TropicalKoi),
690
guests, and
232
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26
|
OP
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26 |
Hi all, I have an in ground ornamental pond that's about 100 gallons. I have a couple goldfish in it. I live in Western Washington and the temperatures here for the next ten days are low 50s as the high with some days being upper 50s. Every night it has been dropping into the 30s. I have not noticed any ice on the pond's surface at night before I go to bed and in the morning either. I'm wondering when would be a good time to start feeding my fish again? I don't want them to eat something they can't digest if they are still in winter mode.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26
|
OP
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,490 Likes: 265
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
|
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,490 Likes: 265 |
One a warm afternoon try a little feed and see if they eat. That will let you know how active they are.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 534 Likes: 76
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 534 Likes: 76 |
If you can measure water temperature, you might be able to do a little less guessing. My experience this past winter is as follows:
I have a 30 gallon aquarium in my garage with 4 goldfish that are 6" to 7" long, a green sunfish 4", two bluegills 3", and 3 bullfrog tadpoles. I've fed them Optimal BG, mealworms, and red wigglers through the winter. The water temp dropped to the low 50s for several weeks.
When the temp was that low, the goldfish continued to to feed voraciously and physically were quite active. They each gained an inch in length through the winter.
The bluegills and green sunfish looked at the food but would only mouth the red worms, not the pellets nor the mealworms. When the temps rose to 57 degrees, the bluegills started being interested in the feed and would actually swallow some of it. The green sunfish wasn't interested in feeding until the temp got above 60 degrees.
I'd feel ok about feeding goldfish when water temps were 50 degrees or more.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277 |
Ewest is right. Toss in a couple of pellets and see what happens.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26
|
OP
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26 |
Thank you for the suggestions. I think I will pick up a thermometer to measure pond temp and try putting some flakes in this afternoon and go from there.
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
|
|