Hi everyone,

I live in Michigan and have a small pond of about 90 gallons. I am going to be bringing my goldfish inside this winter either to my breezeway which is unheated but sheltered, or my basement which stays above 60*. I have a 100 gallon stock tank that I will use either way. My question is this: what should I do with the frog in the pond? I know the pond will freeze, maybe solid.

I have no problem bringing him in, and putting a net over the tank, but if he's inside in the basement, should I feed him, and if so, what? I don't feed him now but if he's inside won't he need food over the winter? I imagine if he's on the breezeway, he will get cold enough to hibernate. I will keep the pump running to keep a hole in the ice if it should freeze over, but no heater as that is why I am bringing the fish in in the first place because the heater I have used the last several winters is VERY expensive to run and I'm going to the poor house!

I appreciate any advice! Thanks, Jean

If it's between 34 and 45 degrees F, the frog (and fish) would not need any food. Above 55-60 degrees F, and the frog should be fed. Between 45 and 55 degrees F is the kind of iffy zone where it's too cold to eat but too warm to not need energy so animals won't do so well in that range of temperatures because they can't eat but need some energy. Green frogs will only eat live animals. Here are some that you could buy at most pet stores: crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and earthworms. The crickets would bounce all over your basement if the frog doesn't get them right away. If you net a 100 gallon pond in the basement, be sure the frog can't get stuck in the net or get out into the basement, or you'll be chasing him all winter! Since your outdoor pond freezes solid, the frog cannot stay there. I have a section on overwintering frogs indoors at http://www.fishpondinfo.com/frog3.htm
If the breezeway doesn't go much below freezing, a pump or aerator alone should keep it from freezing over all the way.