Coldwater Feeding...

[squabeggs]

I have read, in other posts, that you should cut off feeding when the water temp reaches about 55º.

The last few days, here in Montana, we have destroyed our low temp records. My house is especially cool now due to cutting back on heating bills etc...
I checked my tank temp this afternoon and it was just about 55º on the dot. I'm sure this fluctuates (colder at night and warmer during the day or if I'm at home with the furnace on).


Anyways, I'm still feeding lightly once a day 4-5 days a week. Omega 1 pellets, common goldies...They actually seem to like it cooler...still active, still poop machines, still sifting gravel looking for munchies.

Should I quit? cut down? keep on doing what I've been doing for 2 years?

Flaringshutter, Lupin, anyone else? where did you all hear about not feeding when it's 55º...I'd like to read some sources/case studies, etc. I've heard a lot of opinions (gladly listen to more)

Thanks.

 

[Lupin]

What are the ingredients of Omega 1 pellets, Squabeggs? I'd start switching to wheatgerm products if I were you just to allow them to digest it much more easily or products that contain mostly wheatgerm as indicated by the top spot of the ingredient list. They are available as "seasonal" foods. Don't feed them anything that contains very high protein content. Protein content of 30% will suit them just fine since they may be unable to process the extra proteins especially as it is not easily digested. When the temperature falls colder, the bacteria that lines up in their digestive system slowly becomes inactive. Without anything to help digest the foods, the foods will simply not be pushed out of the system and can cause your fish to suffer internal bacterial infections as a result.

If your temperature falls further, I'd quit at this point already to prevent your fish from suffering high risk of bacterial infections and don't get tempted to feed them anymore if they continue begging you for more foods. Internal bacterial infections are harder to diagnose.

 

[Muske]

55 is cold and as Lupin said a wheat germ based food should be used when temps. are below 60. I stop feeding alltogether when temps. are below 50, (on my pond). I would think the same holds true indoors. When the temps. are below 60, you could feed every other day, or 2-3 times per week. They will still beg, but the chances of food going undigested can lead to problems that can be avoided. This week water temps. dropped into the low 50's at night. During the day, they may reach 60, but I still side on caution for feeding. Next week we are expected to actually have normal fall temps. of mid to upper 60's during the day, and maybe even a 70 here and there. I won't feed a lot, but the goldies will be seeing some chow for sure next week. Feeding during the warmer temps. of the day and when activity is at it;s most.

 

[squabeggs]

Any brand suggestions on Wheat germ based food you mentioned?

Here is the scoop on my normal food.
Omega One Goldfish Pellets

Guaranteed Analysis
Min. Crude Protein….33%
Min. Crude Fat……….8%
Max. Crude Fiber…….2%
Max. Moisture………. 8.5%
Max. Ash……………..8%
Min. Phosphorus…….(.5%)
Min. Omega 3 ………. 1%
Min. Omega 6………..(.5%)

INGREDIENTS: Whole Salmon, Whole Herring, Whole Shrimp, Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten, Fresh Kelp, Soy Flour, Astaxanthin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Phosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Natural and Artificial Colors, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid, Biotin, Inositol, Tocopherol (Preservative), Ethoxyquin (Preservative).


I wonder if what you said about internal bacerial infections is what happened to Spartan (see my thread in the illness section) Although, I don't think it had to do with the cold then...water temps when that happened was 65 and above...hmmm.

 

[Lupin]

Here's one, Squabeggs!

Hikari Wheatgerm
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein 32% Min.
Crude Fat 4% Min.
Crude Fiber 4% Max.
Moisture 12% Max.
Ash 12% Max.
Phosphorus 0.7% Min.

Ingredients
wheat-germ meal, krill meal, fish meal, wheat flour, rice germ meal, bran, gluten meal, soybean protein, enzyme, monosodium glutamate, garlic, vitamins and minerals including stabilized vitamin C

Additives
Vitamin A - 8,500 IU/kg
Vitamin C - 120 mg/kg
Vitamin D3 - 1,700 IU/kg
Vitamin E - 1,000 mg/kg
Vitamin K - 2.5 mg/kg
Copper - 13 mg/kg

This is for seasonal use only. As for the Omega, it's not a proper meal for fish kept in very cold water. I'd switch the brands to fit their environmental needs.