Hi, this is my first post. This is also my first pond but I have had aquarium fish for many years. With a few exceptions I am finding out that keeping my pond is alot like keeping a big aquarium. My pond is small-150 gallons, with a small waterfall at one end. I have 3 fan-tails and right now I have about 6 comets that were initially bought as feeders for my daughters turtle. Well, Mr turtle decided that he liked my fantails better than the comets. We found the turtle a home but then I had these comets left that he didn't eat. Wow! I never realized how big those fish would get, and how fast!!!! So, I know that my pond is overstocked and in the spring I will find someone to take the gigantic comets! I don't know what zone I am in, but I live outside of Boise, Idaho. With my pond being so small, I was afraid that it would freeze solid if it got really cold this winter. I usually keep a stock-tank heater in horses water tank and it works fine. So I bought a heater for my pond. Everything is going great- we've had some really cold weather and about 2-3 feet of snow. My water-fall is running great, my water is crystal clear and I just tested it this morning and conditions have never been better. My question has to do with the fact that my fish act hungry! Last week we had a big storm blow through- it snowed for 2 days straight! For the entire 2 days, my fish were at the top of the water trying to eat the plants at the side of the pond and biting at snow flakes that hit the water! Today it is warmer- about 38-40 degrees and they again are swimming around. I bought a thermometer today and checked my water temp (Calypso was checking out the themometer- I think she wanted to eat that!!!), and it was right at 50 F. Should I feed them!?! I feel so bad for them!
Thanx.
~Andrea
Welcome!
I've had some 14" comet goldfish.
You don't want to feed unless the water is 50-55 degrees F, AND it's going to stay there for the next few days. If it's going to get cold again, it's not a good idea. If it's too cold, the food may just rot in the fishs' guts. It was 75 degrees F here a few days ago! The water was still not much over 50 degrees F. I might have fed the fish but they didn't beg or act hungry. It's down into the 40's again so it was good I didn't feed them. If the fish are hungry, they may find some algae to nibble on, a light snack to tide them over.
Since your pond is small, it may be possible that the heater is over warming the water and making the fish more active. Ideally, the heater should turn off once the water is above say 35 degrees F.
Yes, it's supposed to have a thermostat, so maybe the water hasn't been as warm as I am thinking. Now that I have the thermometer, I will have to keep an eye on it. Thanks for your reply- I was just worried that I was starving them!