Craig b

Well it was lovely weather again today in Leeds, And the fish was cruising around surface again today, but my question is shall I feed my goldfish because in same pond as koi and I know they are hardier than koi so will they be ok with food or shall I wait?

trickydicky

I wouldnt but its your call Craig > Coming from Leeds myself i know how the weather can change alot faster than down in Essex

miles41

Mine have been up for about a week since the water has warmed up; and I've given them just a very few pellets. No more than a few and always aware that the temp could fall again.
I would say don't over-feed them and only if they're really on the look for it and can eat it straight away.
The regular feeding will come soon enough as the spring approaches

brockp

There are lots of posts and threads on the other koi forums this year as winter seems to have come and gone and our koi are hungry.

General concensus is that it all depends on your filters. If they are tucked away in a garage or shed and you heat even a little bit there is no reason to starve your koi BUT you must keep a close eye on the water parameters (almost closer than during the spring). Watch your nitrite very closely as the bugs that convert nitrite to nitrate need the highest temps to do their work.

I watched trout taking flies on the Itchen on Saturday almost like May.

Thats how I read the current debate.....guess there is no right answer but I cannot see the reason to starve your fish if your filters can cope.

Now I will duck

Pete

markf1fan

what temp is your pond on. you can not feed fish lower then 8deg full stop. it does not matter if your filter can cope with it. its if your fish can pass it through them or not.

__________________
1x 2400 gallon pond
1x estro sieve
1x econo bead filter
1x bakki shower with crystal bio
1x 55w pro clear uv
1x eco 12,000
1x sequence 15,000
1x hi blow 40 air pump
and some really nice koi

ogawa only

it does seem this winters gone on forever

my koi are starving , but no food for them till it hits 14c

markf1fan

what temp is your pond on steve.mines only on 6.4 today. grrrr gutted.

__________________
1x 2400 gallon pond
1x estro sieve
1x econo bead filter
1x bakki shower with crystal bio
1x 55w pro clear uv
1x eco 12,000
1x sequence 15,000
1x hi blow 40 air pump
and some really nice koi

brockp

Ponds at 11 - 12 filter at 13 - 14 as the heater is just in line before the filter so the pond runs a couple of degrees cooler than the filter.

Fish seem to be pooing fine..... haven't had to treat any for constipation yet.

My fish just ignore the food if they don't want it and I take it out after about 10 mins (I double the 5 min rule becuase things are much slower in the winter including gut transit times !)

Pete

markf1fan

well if temps are like that then it sounds ok to me mate, but just dont over do it.mark

__________________
1x 2400 gallon pond
1x estro sieve
1x econo bead filter
1x bakki shower with crystal bio
1x 55w pro clear uv
1x eco 12,000
1x sequence 15,000
1x hi blow 40 air pump
and some really nice koi

brockp

I don't Mark just a little but a bit controversially I don't use a "wheat germ" food for the winter.....it's their normal summer food just much less of it.

Pete