Feeding Fish in Winter

[Jaxom_Ruatha]

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]

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.

 

[Guest]

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]

Thanks for the confirmation guys!

 

[deeni0z]

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

 

[ReefNooB]

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.