Will my fish waste away and die if I neglect to feed them all winter?
Although I have been advised to stop feeding them now that the colder weather has started to arrive, they are still active and swimming around. They look, to me, as though they are looking for food.
Hence, I have been giving them a few flakes every couple of days.
I am going to continue this until we get another cold snap.
I am sure they will be more dormant then.
ARE pond fish more likely to be taken by predators in the autumn and winter?
Early yesterday morning, I spotted a scarggy-looking cat standing on the rim of my pond. One of its paws was in the water. I opened a window and shouted at it to go away.
Just minutes later, it was back again. I ran out and chased it away. All day at work, I worried about what may happen while I was away. However, my fish were fine.
They have got a cave they can go into to hide from predators, but I think they mainly rely on their quick reactions to threats.
Otherwise, pond crystal clear. Fish happy. I have stopped feeding them.
I have slowly reduced the amount and frequency that I feed my fish.
At the moment, they are receiving a small pinch of flakes every three days.
Soon, I will stop feeding them completely.
Because I am learning 'on the job', so to speak, I may have to revise my feeding system - if I think a change is required.
It rained quite heavily last night and this morning so, hopefully, topping up of the water level will not be required this week.
I top up fairly regularly because, when it is windy, the fountain in my pond allows water to spill over the garden - sadly not in my plant pots, which have had it for this year.
What started out as a half decent garden in April has slowly deteriorated. After all the rain in August, I gave up weeding my rockery areas.
Now, after a prolonged dry spell, my planters and hanging baskets have shrivelled up.
The pond remains the centrepiece of the garden.
Jobs to be done: cull of pond weed. I need to take some of it out, but not all. It rooted and has grown quite considerably. If anybody has any advice on what to do and what not to do for the pond at this time of the year, I'd appreciate it.
I am removing stray leaves on a daily basis.
The water is crystal clear.
Fish are still swimming around, but at a slower pace.
They remind me of submarines.
If they make it through the winter, I am hopeful that they may breed in the Spring.