Do you absolutly have to have a heater in your pond for fish during the cold months?

Question

One pet shop said fish in the wild survive, So not to worry about it, another store said get one, and it only costs $299.59! Anyone have any experience with this?

Answer 1

Hi Kelly, it really depends on how deep your pond is, how cold winter gets in your area and what kind of fish you keep. Very few fish can survive a pond that completely freezes over in winter. If winters are milder in your area, coldwater fish like goldfish and carp could actually do quite well in your pond even in winter without a heater. The initial cost of the heater aside, imagine the cost of keeping a pond warm all winter!? That'll be madness. Another alternative (if you do not have giants in your pond) would be to have a tank set up so you can bring the fish in during winter and let them have their pond again once spring sets it.

Answer 2

It depends on how deep your pond is. Most ponds aren't deep enough to keep fish alive during the freezing months. See, the water in lakes freezes only about midway down, because the lakes are so deep, the fish are able to stay beneath the ice and live underneath it. It is highly recomended that you put a heater in the tank for the winter to prevent any freezing of the water and ultimately your fish. Another option, one my father uses with his koi and goldfish for his pond, he keeps all of his fish in a huge tub in the basement. It may be extreme, but his fish are alive the next spring.

Answer 3

I like aken's answer. I have 5 goldies, I just bring them in when it starts to cool off. The main thing, there needs to be an area that doesn't freeze over. There has to be a hole for the gases to exchange. They sell those small deicers I think they're called, and they're expensive too. Keep an eye out between now and spring time, they may end up on clearance/sale. It's just a small disc thing that keeps a warmer temperature in one spot to keep it ice free. And also as mentioned, it depends on the fish, how deep the pond is, how cold it gets where you live, etc. I buy a lot of my pet stuff from this site, they're fairly cheap, especially clearance items.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/

Here's another link for winterizing a pond & when to stop feeding the fish:
http://dragonflylanding.ca/WinterFeeding.htm

Answer 4

I had a pond that I kept two koi in. During the winter months they went into hibernation. They lived through a couple of snow and ice storms. Come the spring they went back to swimming about and everything. Of course where I lived the winters for the most part were quite mild.

Answer 5

depends on the climate, and the fish. Gold fish will semi hybernate, even if there's a layer of ice on the top of the pond....however, you must not feed them during that stage. There are books and online sources for the particular fish you have.
Don't forget the cost of operating a heater all winter, as well. Perhaps it would be better to see what happens, and then restock next Spring is you need to.

Answer 6

what do you have in your pond? if you have koi or any other cold water carp (ie goldfish) then, no, you don't need a heater for your pond. goldfish can live to temps below freezing, with no problems. just do not feed them in the winter time. they go into a sort of hybernation state, and food will actually rot in their systems if the temp is much below 50F.

the pet shop trying to sell you that heater, is simply doing that..... selling. if you want active fish in the winter time, then get a heater. if not, and you don't worry much about them, then don't worry about it.

good luck, hope that helps.

Answer 7

its mostly according to the kind of fish and how cold it gets, if the pond freezes all the way to the bottom it will kill them, if its goldfish and there is a few inches of thawed water at the bottom they might make it, tender fish wont make it if the water gets below 70 degrees in some cases, you just have to know whats going on. call your local fish and wildlife dept and ask. they have no stock in you buying either fish or heaters.

Answer 8

No you don't need one. My mother and my aunts have ponds with fish in them that winter outside. Just make sure your pond is deep enough and don't feed them if your water isn't frozen. My mother covers hers with a piece of plywood during the winter I think to keep the stray cats from going in and having a snack.

Answer 9

fish in the wild survive b/c they live in very deep water. im assuming your pond is nowhere near 20 feet deep so it will freeze in the winter-if you get harsh ones like michigan. here in texas you wouldnt need one. but if you get cold snowy icy winters its absolutely neccesary.

Answer 10

it depends on size of pond and spicies of fish u have. if you have pond with alteast 3 foot depth and u are keeping shubunkin, common/comet, japanese fantail then u don't need Heater.