How to Stop Feeding Pond Fish

Pond fish such as koi should not be fed once the water temperature in the pond drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They go dormant in winter and will not eat, so pond owners in areas with colder winters will need to stop feeding their fish. Their digestion slows to a stop, and food sitting in their digestive tract can spoil and cause fatal illness. Uneaten food in the pond also can cause water quality problems, and uses up valuable oxygen as it rots.

Things You'll Need

  • Pond or pool thermometer
  • Low-protein pellet food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a pond or pool thermometer from a nursery or pond store. There are several different types. Electronic thermometers are the most accurate, but the analog types also work.

    • 2

      Monitor the pond temperature daily. When the pond temperature reaches the upper 50s, switch to a low-protein pellet food and feed small amounts every other day. Feed no more than the fish can eat within a minute or two.

    • 3

      Stop feeding when the pond temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If the fish are still active, they will graze on algae or plants in the pond until it is too cold and they stop eating.