Behavior of goldfish in pond - is this normal?

Hi everyone,

I have just moved into a place that has a medium size outdoor pond with a pump. I purchased 6 goldfish for the pond and as I have never had fish before I am wondering if their behavior is normal.

I thought that the fish would swim around in the water, as that is how they were when I purchased them from the shop. However, they hardly swim around at all. They contstantly hide very still underneath the pump and seem frightened of people. I have tried moving the pump around, but they always hide wherever it is placed.

At first I thought it may have been a problem with the water, so I emptied the pond, cleaned it and refilled it, but there has not been any improvement with the fish.

Could it be that the water is too cold and it is warmer under the pump? It is winter over here, however it is not very cold. Or is it something to do with the vibrations the pump is giving off, or the darkness underneath it?

I hope someone can give me some advice as I would really like my fish to be swimming around!

Thanks

[Cafe Jeff]

Sounds like they could be cold and or stressed.
How cold is the water? Jef

I haven't got a thermometer at the moment so I am unsure exactly how cold the water is. However, as I am in Australia it is not very cold over here compared to a lot of other places. So I didn't expect the water temperature to be a problem.

[Cafe Jeff]

Australia, so I have heard, is a big place. Hot in some places. Less so in others.
I'd just take a wait and see approach. Jeff

[RogerMcAllen]

They might just be getting used to it. Give it a week or so, after a few feedings they should be up more. Also floating plants like hyacynths and other cover like lillies will help them come up higher.

[finny al]

my goldies just went into a pond- usually, they are attention hogs, but they have been very shy since going into the pond. When I see them from afar, they are swimming around happily, but as I approach they tend to hide. I am thinking that it has something to do with seeing a huge person hovering over top of them as opposed to beside them in the tank.

[finny al]

my goldies just went into a pond- usually, they are attention hogs, but they have been very shy since going into the pond. When I see them from afar, they are swimming around happily, but as I approach they tend to hide. I am thinking that it has something to do with seeing a huge person hovering over top of them as opposed to beside them in the tank.