AUTUMN AND WINTER POND FOOD

Koi and Goldfish require different types of food based on the water temperature they are being kept in. The temperature of your pond water will directly influence the metabolism of your pond fish. This is why it is vital to ensure you are giving them the right food for the right temperature.

How do I know what temperature my pond water is?

You can’t get an accurate idea of the water temperature in your pond from the ambient temperature alone. Water bodies can take some time to warm up and cool down, especially in deeper water.

The only accurate way to determine the temperature of your pond water is to use a thermometer. It’s not recommended to follow your calendar strictly when picking the right food to feed as British weather is anything but predictable!

AUTUMN

As spring is the season creeping out of the cold into the warmth, autumn brings back the cycle as days begin to shorten and the temperatures begin to drop. As the days get shorter and rainfall increases, water temperatures will also begin to drop. Autumn becomes the time to prepare your fish to withstand the winter. Feeding autumn formulated foods with high carbohydrate content, essential fats and the necessary vitamins will help to maintain a strong immune system and provide energy stores for the fish as they prepare to enter their dormancy phase.

WINTER

The coldest darkest season. It’s rare that we need to give any food to pond fish like koi and goldfish, but it’s important to have some on hand in case we get milder weather. It’s not unheard of to have to feed during winter, so don’t get caught out! If we do need to feed during winter, it's imperative to feed a winter feed as they will not be able to efficiently digest summer or spring food.

Sturgeon

Unlike most other pond fish, sturgeon and sterlets need feeding all year round regardless of water temperature. Sturgeon foods are formulated with a high protein and oil content to closely follow their natural diet. All sturgeon food should be sinking as sturgeons are benthic feeders (bottom dwelling fish).
Unfortunately, sturgeon food is quite appealing to other pond fish and they may eat it regardless of the water temperatures. It’s not easy to stop this but distracting other pond fish with suitable food for them may help.

Autumn food top picks

NT Labs Medikoi Probiotic

A specialised formula containing probiotic bacteria and prebiotic fibre to enhance nutrient absorption and lead to greater digestion.

Increased absorption will also lead to less waste and then in turn, greater water clarity.

Can be fed as an all-season food or used in conjunction with wheatgerm down to 8c

JBL All Seasons

Specially formulated to contain the correct ratio of protein to fat to be suitable for pond fish between 10c – 25c

Contains high quality ingredients including wheat germ, salmon, spinach and shrimp meal among others.

Ings Lane Wheatgerm

High percentage of wheatgerm, with added sources of vitamin E, fatty acids and a comprehensive range of minerals. Can be fed down to 8C

Hikari Wheatgerm

Formulated to be highly digestible for Koi and other pond fish in cooler water temperatures

Comprised of wheat germ kernel, added vitamins and minerals, this formula offers a great choice for helping to support immune system health.

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