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Feeding the fish is one of the most enjoyable things the pond owner can do, but is it necessary how often should I feed them, and what food should I use. If you are a fish enthusiast, your choice of foods may be as diverse as those for a pet cat or dog, but if the pond is essentially a wildlife habitat, providing all is well, the fish may not require much feeling at all.
Selecting fish food
While it is not necessary to feed decorative fish in a well-balanced pond, there can be few water gardeners who are not fascinated by the prospect of regularly feeding them and watching their antics. Like most other domestic creatures, fish will not go seeking food if it is provided for them; once a routine has been established a footfall close by the pond or a shadow cast across the water will bring the fish to the surface in the expectation of being fed. However if you intend feeding them regularly, it is important to use a balanced and nutritious food. Unquestionably, stick fish food are the easiest to handle and, if you select a high-quality brand, the best balanced for pond fish. They have the advantage of floating on the water for a considerable period of time, so if the fish have not devoured them within 10 minutes, any remaining food can be netted and removed. This prevents uneaten food from sinking to the bottom of the pond floor, where they it will decompose and pollute the pond. Although the sticks may seem rather large for some of the smaller fish, remember that the fish will suck at them rather than gulp them down in one go, although this inevitably happens with some of the larger fish. Flaked fish food is also excellent and mostly scientifically balanced. There are specific cold water flakes, and some companies that manufacture a special formulation for the pond. They are much loved by goldfish, and easily taken by very small fish, but unless feeding is undertaken on a still day the flakes can end up in the herbaceous border, rather than the pond they also float for much less time than the sticks, yet are likely to cause almost as much contamination of the water if they to sink to the bottom. A careful eye needs to be kept on the flakes to ensure that prompt removal of any that remain uneaten.
Live foods
Enthusiastic fish keepers occasionally like to feed some live food during the summer months. If you can spare a little time, feeding live foods to your fish will certainly be worthwhile from their point of view most fish have regular access to live food, although this is often obtained naturally by preying on aquatic insect life in the pond. The occasional provision of a tasty morsel of earth worms or daphnia, however will be much appreciated. Earthworms are a natural treat that can be easily collected in most gardens. Avoid worms from areas that have been treated with chemicals, as these could hand the fish. Daphnia, or water fleas, at a very different proposition. These can be cultured quite easily. Making it possible to maintain a fresh supply of live food throughout the summer with little effort.Daphnia may often be found naturally in ponds, water butts and on occasions even large puddles. However a culture can be purchased from an aquatic supplier and perpetuated in a tub or barrel. All that is required is a layer of soil about 1 inch deep, the addition of rainwater although conditioned tap water will also suffice, and the introduction of the Daphnia . Under such conditions they will prosper, and small quantities can be gathered with a fine fishnet each week as a live treat for the fish.
When to feed
The necessity of feeding fish is a continual bone of contention among fish keepers, and there is no consensus of opinion. By and large, however, in the sparsely stocked pond, if you want to feed the fish there will be benefits, but if you do not feed the fish they are still likely to grow and flourish on the natural food within the pond. During the winter and metabolism of the Pond Fish slows down and they do not require feeding regularly, when the temperature is below 5C. During this cold period, the fish rely on their stored food reserves. However, recent research has shown that feeding a wheatgerm-based food during mid spells, when the temperature rises above 5C , will preserve their food reserves and ensure that they are strong and healthy at the end of the cold period. Feed the fish on a only few food sticks whenever they are active and rise to the surface in search of food. As the water temperature rises in the spring the fish will become more active and should be fed more regularly. Feed as much as they will consume within 10 minutes each day. In the summer the fish will feed actively and can be given high protein foods to encourage growth, and foods containing colour enhancers to promote good body coloration. Again, feed as much as the fish will consume in 10 minutes 1 to 3 times a day. This amount will be much greater than in the spring.