HELP!!! What is the best thing to do for my outdoor fish?

Question

We are having an unusual cold snap here and temps are going down to 20's for the next few nights.

I am worried about the fish I have in an outdoor pond. I have two giagantic fancy goldfish that are about 3 years old. This morning the pond top was frozen. The pond holds about 75 gallons.

What is the best way to help the fish thru the next few nights?

I thought about putting a heat lamp out there, close to the water, but worry a raccoon might knock it into the water.

Should I bring the fish in and put them into a bucket - a bucket is all I have. They would be warmer, but would they stress out? The bucket is small for them, but it's just for a few days.

what is the best way to reduce the stress on the poor little fish?

Answer 1

I once had goldfish in a swimming pool and the top froze over for weeks. They did just fine. I cant guarantee it for yours, I'm just telling you my experience.

Answer 2

Well you have a couple of options here. First off, depending on the depth of your outdoor pond, goldfish typically can survive quite well through the winter, however I doubt your pond would retain the adequate depth of water to allow ice to solidfy across the top, while leaving water for your fish to swim in.

If you live in a typically warm climate, you may not need to do anything for your pond fish. If this cold weather is truly only going to be around for a couple of days, they will likely survive on their own, since the ice will not get so thick as to deprive them of space to move around in.

Alternatively buckets in the home work out well, the larger your bucket the better off you will be. Often I hear of people using small childrens pools, the ones that are only 1 foot deep by fisher price or whatnot... They make adequate in-home ponds for the winter time depending the size of your gold fish, this may be a cost efficient way to keep your goldfish indoors all winter long.

My father brings his koi in every year and keeps them in 3 60 gallon tanks in his basement, he has six koi... Thats 2 for each tank, I will note these koi are very large... honestly I'm suprised they can even turn around in their winter homes, but have never really had any issues living in the tanks.

To summarize, Yes buckets will work, however the buckets will need to be retrospective to the size of the fish you are putting into them. Ensure the fish can at a BARE minimum turn around with ease, and have twice as a minimum, preferably 3-4 times its body length of space to swim through.

Answer 3

Its fine to put them in a bucket but make sure that the water taken should be from same pond. Secondly change their 50% water daily from dame pond if you are not using a filter in the bucket. I love pets and i love fishes as well. I have some and i spend some time of the day watching them. Nice activity. Good luck for you and your fisheeeeeeeeees.

Answer 4

They sell a heat ball for outdoor ponds at local home improvement stores, you can also check at pond supply stores. The water needs to have an opening in it to allow gas to release from the water so it does not become toxic to the fish. The heater ball Will do the job just fine. For fish in cold areas where it freezes you need at least 3 feet of water to leave them outdoors. I have a koi and goldfish pond also, and I was told the fancy goldfish should be brought indoors in the fall as they are not as hardy. Good luck! http://Watergarden.com/koi-goldfish/Winter-Care.htm on the far left enter winter koi-goldfish care

Answer 5

if the pond is atleast 2 feet deep in the ground the fish will do fine even if the top freezes gold fish do well in cool water and 2 feet deep the water will not be as cold. If the pond is not 2 feet into the ground you will need to add a heater or move the fish somewhere ese.

Answer 6

I know they have aerators and heaters that can be used in outdoor ponds. My next door neighbor has a pond that always freezes over and so far, she's still got all her fish. They should adjust but if you're worried, try a heater or aerator.

Answer 7

if I were you, I'd just make sure you're aerating the pond well. So long as it doesn't freeze to the bottom, your fish should be just fine. They can survive winters in cold climates in deep enough water.

Best of luck

Answer 8

Leave them out there. As long as the bottom does not freeze they will be fine!!!! Whenever the top is frozen don't break the ice let it thaw on its own!