Feeding Fish in Winter - Aquarium Advice

Jaxom_Ruatha · 11-18-2004, 07:06 PM

I have heard that when the temperature gets lower than 55-50 degrees farenhiet that you should no longer feed your fish since their metabolism is so slow that the food will rot in their stomach, causing internal parasites and commonly death, is this true?

Then it is suggested that they can live off of algae while in this condition (in a temp. below 55-50 degrees farenhiet), so does this mean don't feed them at all or only once a week or what?

Any info. would be appreciated-

RogerMcAllen · 11-18-2004, 07:20 PM

What you heard is correct. Don't feed at all. It can be really tempting to feed if they come up to the surfact on "warmer" days, but still don't until the water temp is consistantly above 55.

11-20-2004, 05:54 PM

yup, no food at all. They will live off their body fat for the cold months. Their metabolism slows so much that they need very little energy during the winter. What energy they do need is in their fat.

Jaxom_Ruatha · 11-29-2004, 07:18 PM

Thanks for the confirmation guys!

deeni0z · 12-04-2004, 10:46 PM

is this for all fish or only certain types of koi and goldfish?

ReefNooB · 01-22-2005, 01:46 AM

This applys to ALL koi and goldfish as they both originated from carp so most things that apply to one typically apply to they other.

11-18-2004, 07:06 PM	#1
Jaxom_Ruatha Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 115	Feeding Fish in Winter I have heard that when the temperature gets lower than 55-50 degrees farenhiet that you should no longer feed your fish since their metabolism is so slow that the food will rot in their stomach, causing internal parasites and commonly death, is this true? Then it is suggested that they can live off of algae while in this condition (in a temp. below 55-50 degrees farenhiet), so does this mean don't feed them at all or only once a week or what? Any info. would be appreciated-

11-18-2004, 07:20 PM	#2
RogerMcAllen Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 2,330 Images: 16	What you heard is correct. Don't feed at all. It can be really tempting to feed if they come up to the surfact on "warmer" days, but still don't until the water temp is consistantly above 55. __________________ Have your reviewed your aquarium products yet?

11-29-2004, 07:18 PM	#4
Jaxom_Ruatha Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 115	Thanks for the confirmation guys! __________________ 540 gallon outdoor pond with: 4 weather loaches 18 commons/comets 5 orandas 5-20 mosquito fish

12-04-2004, 10:46 PM	#5
deeni0z Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Fernando Valley/Northridge Area, CA Posts: 239	is this for all fish or only certain types of koi and goldfish? __________________ This is Major Tom to Ground Control I'm stepping through the door And I'm floating in the most peculiar way And the stars look very different today

01-22-2005, 01:46 AM	#6
ReefNooB Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 35	This applys to ALL koi and goldfish as they both originated from carp so most things that apply to one typically apply to they other. __________________ Tank: 55g [acronym:7132f752b1="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:7132f752b1] w/2 hot mag filters (w/d in the future)...scored tank, cab, hood, filters for $150 Fish: Cal Ryukin, R&W Ryukin, Baby Champion Panda, R&W Ranchu, Cal Ranchu, 2 Tamasaba, Pearscale, Lionhead, Black Moore, Pleco

11-20-2004, 05:54 PM	#3
Guest Posts: n/a	yup, no food at all. They will live off their body fat for the cold months. Their metabolism slows so much that they need very little energy during the winter. What energy they do need is in their fat.

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