Wintering Your Pond Fish

As winter approaches it is important to take the precautions and necessary steps to protect your pond fish during the transitional season of autumn. Depending on the region in which you live there are different steps you may need to take regarding wintering pond fish. The main factors that dictate what you need to do are determined by the severity of the winter weather your pond will face. Fish will need to be removed from the pond in severe winter climates where the pond will entirely freeze.

It is important to limit the stress on the fish through the winter so they are vibrant and healthy in the spring. Reduce the feeding schedule as the metabolism of the fish will slow down over the winter, but keep the salt levels in the pond high because the salt will keep the slim coat on the fish vibrant and therefore maintain a strong immune system.

In northern locations where the entire pond would freeze solid it is important to relocate the fish for the winter. Wintering pond fish should be located in a location that is cool so they will still experience a winter season even in a controlled situation. The size and number of fish will determine the size of container you need, but a preformed pond liner, stock tank or large Rubbermaid container will work well. You may choose a location that might freeze (i.e. a garage or shed) for the container, but it must be controlled and will not freeze solid. If this is the case you will want to follow the steps that those who are wintering their fish outside will follow.

Have the container in a location that you can control the light and have the fish exposed to light about 8 to 10 hours per day. A lamp above the pond will work fine. When you transport fish follow the same steps you would outside in regards to ridding the water of chlorine before the fish are added. Set up your pump and filter in the holding tank to keep the water circulating and filtered. Make sure that the water temperature is the exact temperature of the water in the pond at the time you transport them. Monitor the water quality as you would outside in the pond.

In areas that the winter season will not freeze the pond solid, you can winter your fish in the pond through the winter. First, remove as much organic debris as possible as the decomposing material will increase the toxic gases in the water. If a layer of ice forms over the pond surface it will trap all gases in the water, not allowing them to vent into the atmosphere and ultimately suffocate your fish. The ice will also disallow the natural oxygenation process to occur within the water and greatly decrease the oxygen levels for the fish. A floating pond deicer will keep an open hole in the ice and allow the toxins to vent and the natural oxygenation process to continue. The addition of a small aquarium 'bubbler' through the winter can also help keep healthy oxygen levels through the winter.

Despite where you live, if you take the appropriate steps to wintering your fish according to your climate and location you will have healthy active pond fish in the spring.

Click here to learn how to correctly winterize your pond.

Click here to learn about, Pond Fish Life - Behaviors and Care in the Early Spring