Do Not Feed the Pond Fish

By Emily Lambert

Koi and pond fish experts agree that during winter months, pond fish generally fare well in water 2 feet deep or more. Rick Smith, director of sales for EasyPro Pond Products in Grant, Mich., said he recommends a minimum of 3 feet deep and preferably 5 feet for larger koi and pond fish. At this depth, koi and pond fish hibernate in warmer waters at the pond bottom and survive the winter, Smith said.

Once temperatures drop below 68 degrees, switch to cold water food, said Randy Stewart, general manager of Pondliner.com in Shawnee, Okla. When water temperatures reach 50 degrees, stop feeding the koi and pond fish, he said. They cannot digest food properly.

Even with intermittent warm-ups when the koi and pond fish appear active, do not feed them, said Denise Twelkmeyer, co-owner of The Ponds & Gardens of Limekiln in Glenside, Pa.

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Do Not Feed the Pond Fish

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The comments about winter fish feeding are incorrect. Fish do digest food at water temperatures below 50 F. Anglers do not catch them in the winter by mistake. This a horrible myth to continue. Many of the springtime illnesses that pond fish have are directly related to the total cessation of winter feeding. Conrad, stillwater, OK Posted: 9/8/2011 8:18:48 AM