Goldfish in the backgarden pond

the_syco · 30-09-2009, 18:45

So, the family got some goldfish for our pond, and I'm wondering do they need any sort of heat? The pond will get a few hours or light, but no real direct sunlight due to the pond being near the shed (shed would be a meter from the pond, and would be directly between pond and sun at 12 noon). As it'll be getting cold soon, I'm wondering do goldfish a) mind the cold b) what's the chances the pond will freeze, and c) will we pop them into a few bowls over the coldest months, or toss in some sort of heater? There's some sort of waterfall device, which is helping to keep the water oxgenated (spelling?).

The red semi-circle line is the (summer) path of the sun (rising at the bottom, setting at the top), the black box the shed which is about 7 foot high), the blue bit being the rough location of the pond, and well, the green bit is the garden. The garden is surrounded by a 5.5 foot wall, so I'm thinking the pond won't get much light.

ghost_ie · 30-09-2009, 22:57

We had goldfish in a pond for years and never had heating in it. On very cold nights we'd put a tennis ball into the pond in case it froze over.

I'd suggest getting netting to go over the pond though. We didn't, and one morning looked out to see a heron feasting happily on the fish

noels little bu · 01-10-2009, 11:32

we had fish in our pond for years and have never used any form of heating. when the ice came in the winter i feared for them but they were grand and survived. they only died when we moved house and had to be put in a tank until we got the pond built. now we have new ones and they are in great shape without any heat, so i dont believe u need it.

the_syco · 01-10-2009, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghost_ie

We didn't, and one morning looked out to see a heron feasting happily on the fish

Have a westie who barks at anything, esp if it's bigger than her. Small birds, it'll walk by, but anything big, from magpies up, gets barked at.

ValerieR · 01-10-2009, 15:30

That the pond doesn't get sunlight is good, you'll get less algae. In the winter, the goldfish should be ok. Breaking the ice when it occurs is good in order to keep an oxygen supply to the fish. I am not specialist and don't know exactly when to stop (and start again), but fish shouldn't be fed during the winter while they are hibernating.
ValerieR
www.irishfishkeepers.com

aboutimeilogin! · 01-10-2009, 16:44

bad time of year to put fish in a pond. they should be fed wheatgerm pellets at the moment. don't feed when below 4degrees.

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30-09-2009, 22:57	#2
ghost_ie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 399 Adverts \| Friends	We had goldfish in a pond for years and never had heating in it. On very cold nights we'd put a tennis ball into the pond in case it froze over. I'd suggest getting netting to go over the pond though. We didn't, and one morning looked out to see a heron feasting happily on the fish

01-10-2009, 11:32	#3
noels little bu Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: louth Posts: 100 Adverts \| Friends	we had fish in our pond for years and have never used any form of heating. when the ice came in the winter i feared for them but they were grand and survived. they only died when we moved house and had to be put in a tank until we got the pond built. now we have new ones and they are in great shape without any heat, so i dont believe u need it.

01-10-2009, 15:30	#5
ValerieR Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Galway Posts: 274 Adverts \| Friends	That the pond doesn't get sunlight is good, you'll get less algae. In the winter, the goldfish should be ok. Breaking the ice when it occurs is good in order to keep an oxygen supply to the fish. I am not specialist and don't know exactly when to stop (and start again), but fish shouldn't be fed during the winter while they are hibernating. ValerieR www.irishfishkeepers.com

01-10-2009, 16:44	#6
aboutimeilogin! Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 87 Adverts \| Friends	bad time of year to put fish in a pond. they should be fed wheatgerm pellets at the moment. don't feed when below 4degrees.