How long does fish food remain within the fish's system?
My goldfish/koi live in a 1200 gallon outdoor pond and haven't eaten since the end of October (due to the weather change here in NYS). The water temperature is suppose to be 50 degrees when feeding resumes. It has hit that number once and then dropped back into mid 40's or lower. We have a brief lull now and I'm tempted to feed them (freezing weather is expected tomorrow night). Are there any fish pond experts who may know whether it's possible to feed on and off throughout the Spring thaw timeframe? I know that the fish metabolize food much slower and could die if the temperature forces them to cease metabolizing with food still in their system. I am also afraid of starving them...as they haven't eaten fish food(wheat germ for autumn/spring) since 10/22/06. Any immediate help is greatly appreciated!
In the spring you have to wait for the water temps not the air temps to be at 50 or better for around 5 days. i don’t start feeding my koi until the water hits 55 for 5 days. Since their metabolisms are so slow at this time of the year, if the majority of the days the water is 50+ one or two days dropping below 50 won’t hurt your fish.
Also, feed small amounts to start. The last thing you want is an abundance of food in the spring pond along with the decaying leaves from fall.
Depending on your fish, some foods will remain in their system for a number of days (even though you wouldn’t believe it when looking in a tank!)
In the fall, when the water temps hit 55 stop feeding or feed them winter food. this will help to push out any undigested foods in their stomachs.
yes you can feed on and off in the spring, remember feed them less than usual until the water temps rise.
A few cold days will not kill your fish with food in their bellies. Hybernation in the Koi and goldfish takes awhile of constant lower temperatures.
My ponds have been open fountains and waterfalls all on (Even when everything froze almost solid a week ago). I am feeding them small amounts. I live in PA so our weather isn’t all that much different.
Your fish should be fine even if you have fed them.
If you need more help with your ponds feel free to email.
As you have guessed, short cool snaps will not cause the fishes metabolism to slow back down. On the flip side, a day or two of warm weather won’t really speed it up much either. The key is watching the average water temperature, not air temperatures. Check the water temperature several times a day and watch for an average of near 50. Be sure to include one check before sunlight hits the pond in the morning if at all possible as this will be the coolest time for the pond. Also check right after the full length of sun exposure for the day. The roller coaster time frame you are talking about makes feeding a tough call, but if the fish appear to be active, I would suggest you try feeding them a bit. If they eat it, keep it to very small portions at first and wait for warmer weather before resuming regular feedings. Odds are good that the water temperature hasn’t gotten to an average of 50 yet though.
MM
how long does our food last in us?
Until they take a fish dump.
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