Mike’s Fish Tank – Pond Fish

Autumn is coming and some people will be bring their pond fish inside.

Try to move them on a day that the water temperature in your outside pond and inside pond are within a few degrees of each other. This will avoid putting the fish under unnecessary stress. Be sure to cover the indoor tank with a net. Fish, especially Koi, will sometimes jump after a move.

If you have gravel in your pond, bring some of that in too. The beneficial bacteria lives in that gravel and this will help your fish’s transition from out to in. But don’t rinse the gravel because this can kill the good bacteria.

If bringing pond fish inside, the bigger the tank the better as goldfish and koi produce a lot of waste.

If you decide to leave your pond fish outside, just be sure the pond deep enough so that it will not freeze through.

As long as you have open water the fish are usually ok.They make pond heaters/deicers that help keep an area of your pond from freezing. Also having a pump blowing lots of bubbles can help your pond from freezing. Lots of aeration is good.

Cold snaps that drop temperatures below freezing for extended periods can reduce the ability of deicers and aerators to keep holes in the ice for gas exchange. The depth of the outdoor pond and/or if it is an above ground pond will also impact how your pond freezes. Ponds under two and half feet deep are more at risk.

Koi are (cold-blooded) and have adapted to handle cold temperatures. Their metabolism and overall activity is dependent on the ambient water temperature. As the temperature drops, so does their appetite and movement as they settle into what is essentially a state of hibernation.

If it looks like it’s going to be a cold winter and you are not sure if your pond will freeze through, then a better option might be to bring your pond fish inside especially if you have expensive koi or fish you’ve had a long time.

Pets A Plenty is located on Rte 281 Cortland, across from Tops Market in the TJ Nails Plaza. 753-9213. Open 7 days a week. We now have a website. www.petsaplety.biz. check it out. I post care sheets, coupons, new animal arrivals, contests and more. Any questions, email me at friskyy@hotmail.com

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