We have an 18" deep "pond", 60" in diameter. We know the one Koi should be able to overwinter (zone 7b) but can the little goldfish? We have a small fountain but no heater. Our fancy small goldfish has lasted through the heat of summer - what low temp can he take or must we bring him in?
2007-11-10 02:14:07 · 5 answers · asked by Amy R 7 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Ordinary goldfish are very hardy and should have no problem. The problem may be your koi which should have a water depth of at least 3 feet. It gives them enough oxygen to survive and also to have a place to hide from predators like raccoons and herons, which LOVE them. Fancy goldfish like lionheads and fat little fan tails are slow and cannot get away from predators as easily, and may not be as hardy as shubunkins, I would bring them in for the winter. You do not want a heater, the water should be allowed to get cold. Do not feed your fish after the water temperature gets below 50 degrees, they cannot digest it. To keep the water from freezing solid, in zone 7b (I am 6b) float a small bundle of straw or piece of wood (not treated wood, that is poison to the fish), it will help keep the water open so that there is an exchange of oxygen and waste gasses. I keep my pump running all winter and it almost never freezes over completely. If it does, do not go out and hit the ice to break it, the resulting shock waves can kill your fish. Take a pan of hot water and set it on the ice, until it melts through. Your fish will go to the bottom of your pond when it is very cold and for the most part, stay there, though you should see them moving around in mild weather.
2007-11-10 02:34:23 · answer #1 · answered by Isadora 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
assume a minimum of two gallons of water for each inch of goldfish physique in the tank. With ten gallons being the minimum. So a 10 gallon aquarium can help a goldfish of roughly 4 inches or smaller. this could be considered a minimum nonetheless...greater water volume is often greater constructive. multiple human beings on right here exaggerate the water volume you elect for goldfish. yet ten gallons is a good length for one fish. in simple terms make confident the aquarium is cycled...do water adjustments daily for the 1st couple weeks till that's cycled, and then each week or so after that. As for upgrading, till it gets greater effective than 3 or 4 inches, i does no longer worry approximately it. yet greater water volume is usually a sturdy situation. the area under provides greater special tips on what you elect.
2016-12-08 17:37:14 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as the pond doesn't freeze right through it should survive. The danger is that if the pond freezes over, oxygen cannot get in to dissolve in the water. Float a ball on the surface of the water so that you can remove it when the ice forms, leaving a hole for air to enter.
2007-11-10 02:24:53 · answer #3 · answered by Michael B 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The safest bet is bring him in, however, it depends on your climate.
Ours is the east end of Tennessee, and a surgeons office near us has a large pond that goes under the building. In it are many large goldfish that winter in it every year.
It freezes over and an icy display is seen on it from the roof, there is a waterfall that runs year round, onto a large rock outside the waiting room.
Water is pumped onto the roof and exits over the waiting room for the waterfall effect.
The water serves the purpose of keeping cooling costs down as well. (Summertime)
2007-11-10 02:28:37 · answer #4 · answered by Wisdom 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As long as the water does not freeze solid they will be OK. Carps is carps, Koi or Golds.
2007-11-10 02:21:39 · answer #5 · answered by rico3151 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋