pond fish in winter
- Thread starter jppipefitter
- Start date
winter "where"? Makes a difference if we are talking about FL or TN or MN or AK. 
Koi I don't know about, they may be more delicate. My goldfish here in west Tennessee have been in a very small pond (greatest depth not more than 18 in. or so) for 10 years now and do just fine. I am sure some die over winter, heck some die over summer or because a bird or raccoon gets them or whatever, but the population is thriving still. Some years the top freezes over totally, some years it doesn't....doesn't matter, they just go to the deep parts and semi-hibernate until it warms up. I turn the waterfall pump off in November or so as they no longer need it for aeration. (I don't know if they need it for aeration in the summer, I just like to look at it.) Babies, adults, all seem to do about equally well.
If the fish are of particular financial or emotional importance to you perhaps you will want to bring them in to an indoor tank over the winter. You could try it both ways if you have enough fry: bring in some and leave others in the pond to see how they do. Of course if the pond is shallow enough that it is likely or even possible for it to freeze solid all the way down that is a different matter, you will have to bring them in. Good luck.
Koi I don't know about, they may be more delicate. My goldfish here in west Tennessee have been in a very small pond (greatest depth not more than 18 in. or so) for 10 years now and do just fine. I am sure some die over winter, heck some die over summer or because a bird or raccoon gets them or whatever, but the population is thriving still. Some years the top freezes over totally, some years it doesn't....doesn't matter, they just go to the deep parts and semi-hibernate until it warms up. I turn the waterfall pump off in November or so as they no longer need it for aeration. (I don't know if they need it for aeration in the summer, I just like to look at it.) Babies, adults, all seem to do about equally well.
If the fish are of particular financial or emotional importance to you perhaps you will want to bring them in to an indoor tank over the winter. You could try it both ways if you have enough fry: bring in some and leave others in the pond to see how they do. Of course if the pond is shallow enough that it is likely or even possible for it to freeze solid all the way down that is a different matter, you will have to bring them in. Good luck.
Depending on location...use a de-icer. Try to keep some surface movement to prevent ice build up. I've heard basketballs work too. Don't ask...it's what we were advised to do for our horse trough. 
Otherwise...kiddy pool inside makes for a nice indoor winter pond.
Otherwise...kiddy pool inside makes for a nice indoor winter pond.