Should I feed or not?

[Metalguru69]

Hi there,I have a free standing pond of around 1600 litres, although the water temp is down to 6 or 7 degrees centigrade I have noticed my Orfe, Shubunkins and Koi still hover around the surface. I guess they are nibbling on the plants I have. My question is should I feed them sinking wheatgerm or not?

 

[JRS]

Welcome to the forum. 6 degrees Celsius is 42.8 degrees Fahrenheit for us. That is getting close to the minimum feeding temp, even with wheat germ. Personally, I usually do not feed in real cold weather to be on the safe side but others do if the fish are showing interest.

Some previous discussions on the topic:

Fish eating over cold weather

Hi all, Apologies as I have asked a similar question recently. I’m just confused by my fish! I have a Blagdon stand up pond with 8 goldfish in it . The fish appear fit well and happy. I was expecting them to calm down once the water got cold but they still are swimming around like they were in...

www.gardenpondforum.com

I feel guilty not feeding my goldfish in winter

Can you convince me not to give them any food? They do come out during the day and swim around except during the coldest days/weeks. They have been more active this week than the past few weeks. They stay deeper in the water than their usual warm weather behavior. I worry they are hungry so I...

www.gardenpondforum.com

Winter feeding

Hi guys, I’m going to try keeping my goldfish in the pond again this year I lost them all last year when the pond froze over. I have a bubbler in the pond this year as well as the heat ring that froze over last year. My question is should I feed the fish since the pond is still open?

www.gardenpondforum.com

 

[j.w]

@Metalguru69
I quit feeding w/the Fall food when temps get to 50f and resume in Spring when they hit 50f and above. If they want to nibble on plants, algae or bugs, worms etc. all winter then it's all on them

 

[Metalguru69]

Thanks guys you have put my mind at rest...

 

[GBBUDD]

At 42 even if the fish come up asking i would try not to when their systems get that cold everything slows way down . you see your fish they try to take a piece of food and it is like watching a drunk they swim right past it mouths flopping away trying desperately for a hail marry the food will slip in. Their digestive system also slows way down and that is where the problem comes in the food does not get digested it sits and rots and gas can develop and kill the fish