First year wintering my goldfish outside..

[Pond skipper]

I have a ring heater that keeps an air hole open in the ice . I know fish general slow down metabolically speaking but am wondering if I should still be feeding them anything or will they find enough to sustain them in the pond?

 

[brokensword]

I have a ring heater that keeps an air hole open in the ice . I know fish general slow down metabolically speaking but am wondering if I should still be feeding them anything or will they find enough to sustain them in the pond?

once below 55F, your fish should NOT be fed. As long as the temps are near that, they'll find food in the pond but as you know, they ARE SLOWING DOWN. Once below 40-45F, they'll just go dormant and require absolutely no food. By feeding, and them not eating, you'll foul the water and have issues. They'll be fine. I have underwater vid showing just how dormant they are, either hanging a foot above the bottom or laying on the bottom outright.

 

[Pond skipper]

once below 55F, your fish should NOT be fed. As long as the temps are near that, they'll find food in the pond but as you know, they ARE SLOWING DOWN. Once below 40-45F, they'll just go dormant and require absolutely no food. By feeding, and them not eating, you'll foul the water and have issues. They'll be fine. I have underwater vid showing just how dormant they are, either hanging a foot above the bottom or laying on the bottom outright.

View attachment 145052

Thank you.. that’s about what I figured didn’t know the exact temp it would need to get to though..,I appreciate the answer

 

[addy1]

I do see them nibbling on some of the plants even in the winter, but they do move very slow or not at all.

 

[Pond skipper]

I do see them nibbling on some of the plants even in the winter, but they do move very slow or not at all.

That’s what was making me wonder if I should be giving them something.. my son said he sees them swimming around under the ice (as they pass by the hole the ring makes. There are no plants left in my pond just whatever they get off the sides, bottom, and some leaves that I didn’t get out before it froze. Do you think that’ll be enough?

 

[addy1]

Do you think that’ll be enough?

yes you will do more harm then help. There is algae, etc on the sides and bottom.

 

[Pond skipper]

Ok that’s perfect.. thanks