goldfish and food

[rdk]

I have a small pond with 5 medium and small goldfish. Have have notice that now that the weather here in CT. is starting to get get a little bit cooler they are going far more crazy about having more food. They seem to now try to kill each other trying to get to the food first. I did not see this behavior to this extent this summer. Could this have something to do with the change of weather? Thank you very much.

 

[koikeepr]

this is normal. With their bodies they can feel that the colder temps are coming and they are starting to transition to winter. So, they're heads are screaming: eat! eat! eat! so that they have enough reserves to carry them through the winter hibernation.

Remember, do not feed them once the water temps hit 50 degrees. But for now feed them 3-5 times per day for as much as they'll eat for 5-10 minutes.

 

[rdk]

Thank you very much. I will start feeding much more often for now. I know my fish will love you for that advice. Thanks again.

 

[koikeepr]

don't be stingy with food throughout the summer--especially late summer. If you see them desperate to get at food that should be a sign to you that you need to give more. Of course, you need to be reasonable and not overfeed so that the water becomes polluted, too.

But 3-5 small meals throughout the day, especially this time of year is perfectly normal.