Fish do not have stomachs. Secretions in the intestine digest food. Their ability to digest is directly related to water temperature.

 

Mix equal amount of wheat germ with regular food in September. Gradually switch over to fish food containing wheat germ. It is more digestible.

 

The fish do not eat when the water drops below 46 degrees. If you continue to feed it will just sink to the bottom where it will decay and pollute the water. Essentially your fish will go to sleep at 46 degrees. Their heart and breathing will slow down to where there is little or no physical movement. You must treat them accordingly.

 

When we get into the "spring-like" days of January and February it may be tempting to feed your fish especially if you see them gathering on the surface of the water.

Avoid this urge.

Use your thermometer and check the temperature.

Feed strictly by the thermometer and not the calendar and you will not have any problems. The temperature has to be above 46 degrees. If you load up their bellies with food and we get a fatal cold snap, it could wipe out all of your fish. They cannot digest food in cold water.

Use a reliable water thermometer.Feed as follows by water temperature:

61 degrees+	Twice daily or more : Mix wheat germ fish food with your regular food.
56 - 60 degrees	Once a day discontinue regular food and use just wheat germ food.
51-56 degrees	Two to 3 times a weekSwitch to medicated food. Store in the freezer as you will use it again in the spring when pond water temperatures start to go up again The antibiotic will have no effect on your biological filter. Starting and ending the season with medicated food ensures that your fish sleep or wake up without any bacterial infections.
46-50 degrees	Once a week | With medicated food Do not feed again until spring when water temperature reaches 46 degrees...
46 degrees	Do not feed

 

Watch water temperature in the spring. Reverse above temperature chart and start feeding fish food with medicated food when water temperature hits approximately 46 to 48 degrees. Followed by wheat germ, then wheat germ mixed with regular food.