Pond Fish Active Yet?

[saltynay]

I know goldfish go into a lazy state close to hibernation when temps are below 8C, just curious if anyone in the UK's pond fish have become active yet? Bit worried as my latest goldie fry stock were born quite late around september time and non of them seemed particularly large before the onset of winter. I attempted to peer into the depths yesterday once the ice had completely melted but couldn't see any movement or colours. I have about 8 brightly coloured adults and 20+ babies that survived being fry last autumn still darkly coloured I would imagine. Pond is a completely self sustained ecosystem no filters, no pumps, no heaters, nothing but nature (except I treat them to flake food every fortnight) and so I am bit worried for them . They were visible the last 2 years intermittently during winter but can't remember seeing them much over this winter.

 

[bae1994]

thats becouse this was the worst winter/snow in a long time so probbly still chilling excuse the pun

 

[Davo86]

thats becouse this was the worst winter/snow in a long time so probbly still chilling excuse the pun

Agreed, I wouldn't expect to see them until the latter weeks of this February,

 

[chr15_8]

try to keep the surface free of ice.

if you dont you could gas the fish meaning you woulndt have any fish left. think somebody on here said a football does the trick

 

[simonas]

mine had an active spell in January when it warmed up but they are hidden ina corner now freezing!!

I'm so glad I'm not a pond fish

 

[saltynay]

I know how to keep them through the winter just curious if anyones had "woken" up yet. I usually just support my weight on a side and crack the ice with my foot although a couple of months ago there was a spell Where I could walk on it fortunately the edges were still frosted rather then frozen solid.

 

[chr15_8]

I know how to keep them through the winter just curious if anyones had "woken" up yet. I usually just support my weight on a side and crack the ice with my foot although a couple of months ago there was a spell Where I could walk on it fortunately the edges were still frosted rather then frozen solid.

sorry buts thats the worst thing you can do. it can cause shock and i believe can damage there spinal cord in one way or another.

my koi have seemed to be ok though out this cold winter it has just been hoovering above freezing.give it a month and they cold spell should hopefully be gone.

 

[bae1994]

yeah the thing with the ball is when it freezes you lift the ball up aand make a hole for air but if you smash the ice it causes a shock wave its like putting a fish in a bucket and dropping a brick in it

 

[saltynay]

I break the ice in small movements so I make a small crack at the edge then gradually work it to the centre I then go about a quarter of the way round and do the same thing then slide the ice sheet out onto the pavement around the pond. The shockave would be minimal as I particularly careful to not crack the ice in one go so the pressure on the ice is only enough to gently crack it at about 20cm a time. I have heard of the ball trick but sometimes its so cold that once the ball has been taken out the ice creeps back over.

 

[chr15_8]

I break the ice in small movements so I make a small crack at the edge then gradually work it to the centre I then go about a quarter of the way round and do the same thing then slide the ice sheet out onto the pavement around the pond. The shockave would be minimal as I particularly careful to not crack the ice in one go so the pressure on the ice is only enough to gently crack it at about 20cm a time. I have heard of the ball trick but sometimes its so cold that once the ball has been taken out the ice creeps back over.

i dont think you get the point.

you should never crack the ice on top of the pond however careful (or small pieces) you crack it. the crack noise will transfer and amplify thought the water.

its upto you what you do but it will damage the fish in one way or another im just letting you know how ever you crack the ice on your pond it wont be any better

 

[saltynay]

Your method is also flawed then as the fottball has a ring of ice form around it so for the ball to be moved it needs to be cracked out. I realise you are only trying to help and get the best welfare for my fish

 

[chr15_8]

Your method is also flawed then as the fottball has a ring of ice form around it so for the ball to be moved it needs to be cracked out. I realise you are only trying to help and get the best welfare for my fish

tbh i dot know as i dont do it. my ponds have filters ad pumps running 24/7/265 days a year. so i dont get problems with the ice freezing over.

form what i can think of more than half the ball sits out of the water and as its round should just pop out with out any pressure needed.

 

[Truck]

265 days a year.

where do you live? venus ?

 

[chr15_8]

265 days a year.

where do you live? venus ?

lol pick on the smallest mistakes not even gonna bother editing it.