(09-11-2013, 06:00 PM)ohiotom76 Wrote: How do you take care of the fish in the winter time? Do you need to bring them indoors during the winter months then transfer them back outdoors during the summer months? I've always wondered this about places with outdoor Koi ponds. Or do they swim around under the ice in the water? How do they get any food if that is the case?
It depends where-abouts you live. In the UK, where compared to many parts of the world, the winters are quite mild a minimum pond depth of 18", 24" is better, 30" is better still. Any filtration should be turned to a minimum, or off if possible. The depths of the pond should be a few degrees warmer than the surface.
The fish will find the warmest part and gather there. Any feeding should be stopped as they go into a state of semi- hibernation. If the surface of the pond totally freezes a hole should be made using hot water, do not hit it with a hammer as the shockwaves could kill the fish.
When the temperature rises just a couple of degrees the fish may well start to become active again but should only be offered small amounts of food if the temperature is going to maintain it's increase.
The above applies to Koi as well, although Koi need a greater pond depth of a minimum three feet, preferably up to six feet.
