Buying Goldfish in Winter?

[Phalanx]

Hi guys,

So a couple months ago, I went and helped my father build a raised pond. We planted it, have been caring for the water and plants meticulously since it was done, but I was considering buying him some livestock for Christmas. The pond is big enough to hold up to 5 goldfish comfortably, but I was wondering a few things:

- Is it worth buying goldfish during the hibernation period of the year? They're cheaper, certainly.
- Once they are in the pond, I am aware we shouldn't feed them below about 8-10 celcius, but does that mean if we place them in, we should just leave them to it until the temperature warms up?

Thanks!

[TropicalFishForums]

[Sonic]

If you can find fish that are still being kept outside in vats then the water temperature will no doubt be the same as it is in your dads pond, so it wouldn't be an issue. If you are looking at fish that are kept inside a shop, then no.



To be honest, you will be putting them in and nothing will happen because its too cold, also I doubt you will get any bacterial growth in the filters at this time of year due to the temperature.


I really wouldn't bother. You are possibly risking their lives and you will get no benefit from having them at Christmas time because it will probably be too cold to view the pond, and they will do nothing in the cold weather. It's kinder to get them in the spring.


I have a large pond with a lot of fish and I barely see them as they are all at the bottom of it now.

[Phalanx]

That's fair enough. Would you say it's still worth running the filter through winter with no livestock? Perhaps to help build the filter a little?

[Sonic]

With no source of ammonia, I don't think id bother wasting the electricity to be honest. Id maybe get it all started up in March and add some fish in April/May when the weather is getting warmer. The filter bacteria do take a while to build up in a pond and filter due to the colder conditions so I'd get it going, and add a pond bomb to kick start the cycle. Stock lightly initially and feed sparingly to lower the chances of a spike.