Tips To Keep Your Pond Fish Alive In The Fall And Winter
Winter is particularly harsh for pond fish, especially those living in small, artificial ponds. If you live in a cold climate and own a pond with fish in it, it’s essential to know that without your help, there’s a strong possibility your fish will die in the winter. Therefore, you should know all the best ways to help keep your fish and pond healthy throughout the coldest months of the year.
To keep your outdoor pond fish alive through the winter, cover the pond with a net to protect the fish from predators, and stop feeding them during this time. Remove debris and dead plants from the pond, trim back aquatic plants, and add a cold water treatment before winter begins. Use a de-icer, pond heater, or hot water to prevent the pond from freezing over.
Owning a pond offers numerous benefits, including enhancing your property value and creating a serene ambiance. This water feature, however, also comes with some added responsibility. This is particularly true if you live in a climate with harsh winters and wish to keep fish in your pond. To ensure your pond fish stay alive and healthy through the winter, read our list of top tips below.
13 Ways To Help Keep Your Pond Fish Alive During The Winter
1. Use Nets To Keep Predators Away From Fish
While frozen water can certainly harm your fish, you should first protect them from fall and winter predators. Birds, in particular, become curious and hungry as their usual food sources diminish.
Cover your backyard pond with netting to prevent birds from fishing in it. These nets can also keep debris out of the pool, which helps maintain the water's balance and keeps your fish happy. You can also add a predator statue near your pond to scare off birds and other predators throughout the year.
2. Ensure Your Fish Are Healthy In The Fall
Regardless of how well you prepare your pond for the winter, the reality is your fish won’t have it easy. To ensure your fish survive these rough few months, you need to know they are up for the challenge.
Before the winter arrives, inspect your fish. Certain fish, including koi fish, are particularly expensive, which means each one is an investment you must care for. Check for any growths, cuts, or discolorations. If you notice any visual signs that one or more of your fish aren’t doing well, isolate them and consider taking them to a vet.
3. Add Water To Pond As Needed
Most people associate evaporation with high temperatures, but water also evaporates in cold weather. Therefore, you must pay attention to your pond’s water levels in the winter. If you notice the water level dropping below normal, add more water to maintain the level. Failure to do so can put unnecessary stress on your fish and create unhealthy living conditions for them.
4. Change The Location Of Your Water Pump In Cold Weather
If your pond has a water pump and filter, there’s a good chance it’s positioned near the bottom of the pond. In the summer months, this is the perfect location for a pump, as it’s an ideal spot to filter out impurities that sink to the bottom.
In the winter months, however, the bottom of a pond is where the warmest water sits, and where fish like to live. To protect this warm pocket of water, move your pump closer to the edge and nearer to the surface. This will keep the warm pocket of water undisturbed and make your fish happy.
5. Adjust Feeding Schedule In The Fall
As water temperatures slowly decrease, your fish begin to slow down. Not only will their bodies move less, but their metabolism will also slow down significantly. Therefore, you should start tapering back on how much you feed your fish in the fall.
As you notice fish are less interested in food, start to scale back on the frequency with which you feed them. Consider switching to a cold-weather fish food. There are several brands of fish food specifically designed for pond fish during this transitional period.
6. Stop Feeding Fish When Temperatures Drop In The Winter
It might seem like crazy advice to stop feeding your fish to keep them alive, but that is precisely what you need to do in the winter. Once the water temperature dips below 50 degrees, the fish in your pond hardly move at all. Their metabolism also stops.
If you keep feeding fish when they are inactive, you run the risk of food rotting in their stomachs, which can lead to illness and death.
7. Remove Dead Plants
To keep the water in your pond clean and healthy for your fish, it is essential to minimize impurities and reduce the risk of algae buildup. One great way to minimize algae buildup is to remove dead plants.
Trim back any annual plants and correctly prune large hedges and trees. Keeping the landscaping around your pond tidy will, in turn, keep your fish and the water they swim in healthy.
8. Add A Cold Water Treatment
Just as you must add pool shock and chlorine to your pool when it starts turning green, you also need to periodically treat the water in your pond. There are specific pond water treatments you can use that are natural and won’t harm your fish.
You can even purchase water treatments specifically designed for cold water. Using a cold water treatment is a great way to set your pond up for success as you enter the long stretch of cold weather.
9. Continue Running The Water Feature Through The Fall
If your pond has a water feature, such as a waterfall or fountain, it’s a good idea to keep it running throughout the fall until the water begins to freeze at the top. Water features are not only visually appealing, but they also help add oxygen to the water. Replenishing oxygen will help keep your fish healthy during the fall and winter months.
It also takes more energy to freeze moving water than it does to freeze stagnant water. While you may need to turn your water feature off eventually, try to leave it on until at least the first frost.
10. Consider Ways To Melt The Ice
If you live in a region where it gets so cold that your pond will freeze over, think of ways to prevent and combat this. If ice covers your pond, your fish become deprived of oxygen and can die quickly.
You can purchase a floating de-iceing device that you can activate as soon as you start to notice ice forming in the pond. Alternatively, you can buy a pond heater or simply use warm water to regularly melt ice.
11. Clean Your Water Filter Often
As long as there are fish in your pond, you need to keep it clean. Part of maintaining a clean and healthy environment for your fish includes filtering the water. Not only should you run your pond pump and filter as long as it is safe, but you also must keep an eye on the filter. Maintain a regular pond upkeep schedule and clean your filter regularly.
12. Remove Leaves And Debris With A Net
Leaves, branches, and other debris will find their way into your pond, especially in the autumn and winter. Take the time to scoop them up regularly. This will help maintain healthy water levels and prevent algae buildup. Reducing the sludge buildup at the bottom of your pond is a great way to keep fish happy and healthy in the winter.
13. Test The Water
Just as you must test a pool with strips to ensure the chemical levels are safe, you must also test pond water to ensure your fish are safe. You can find pond water testing strips online or at several retailers. These strips will check several levels, including pH, nitrates, and others. Testing the water regularly allows you to make adjustments as needed to keep the water at ideal levels for your fish.
Wrapping Up How To Keep Pond Fish Alive In The Winter
Pond fish are a fantastic and low-maintenance option for homeowners seeking to add an outdoor pet to their family. While they don’t require constant care, it’s essential to take necessary steps to keep them safe and healthy during the fall and winter.
Cover your pond with a net to keep predators and debris out. Reduce feeding in the fall, and stop feeding the fish once water temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Remove dead plants and trim back your aquatic plants and perennials. Consider buying a pond heater to prevent your pond from completely freezing over. Also, inspect your fish in the fall to ensure they are strong and healthy.
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Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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