What Causes Fish to Lie Sideways in a Pond in the Winter?

The history of keeping fish in ponds is a circuitous one that can trace its origins along the trading routes of ancient Persia and Asia. Perhaps some of the most recognizable pond-kept fish are koi, because of their brilliant colors and eye-catching patterns. Whatever the fish, care must be taken as they prepare to weather the cold of winter. Fish that lie sideaways in your pond during the winter may be suffering from a number of conditions. Knowing how to identify the causes of the condition can help you prevent it in the future.

  1. Oxygen Depletion

    • Examine the pond in the winter. Lack of light, cold temperatures and frozen ice can contribute to oxygen depletion in winter. Oxygen depletion can cause the fish to lie sideways in the pond. One way to remedy this is to install a floating deicer in the pond. This will prevent a portion, if not all, of the pond from freezing over.

    Overfeeding

    • Feed the fish sparingly in late fall. While the temptation is to overfeed the fish in preparation for the long winter, this is mistake that can cause the fish to lie sideways in winter. The fish will not be moving around enough in winter to for them to be fed, especially in temperatures of 40 degrees or less.

    Breaking Ice

    • Do not break the ice in winter. Use deicers and less percussive methods instead. Breaking the ice in a percussive manner can cause swim bladder damage, making the fish swim on its side or even die.

    Improper Care of Plants

    • Care for the plants in the pond properly. Lower the plants to the bottom of the pond if the temperatures drop below freezing. This helps provide necessary oxygen for the fish as the plants continue living below the surface of the water.