Fish Care: Expert Advice on Pond Fish Nutrition, Health & Maintenance

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Fish Care

Immerse yourself in the Fish Care category, where I share expert insights from years of pond ownership to help you maintain a thriving aquatic ecosystem. Explore in-depth articles addressing fish nutrition, disease prevention, and water quality management, ensuring your pond fish's health and well-being.

Article photo showing 2 orange and white koi carp hand feeding

How to train your Fish to feed from your hand

Patience is key when training fish to feed from your hand. Combine this with high-quality food to pique their interest, and adhere to a consistent feeding schedule. Over time, this combination will build trust and a bond between you and your pond fish.

Article photo with the text 'BONFIRE NIGHT - How will it affect my Pond?'

Fish Care Featured

Preparing your Pond for Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night is filled with dazzling displays and roaring fires, but have you considered its impact on your pond? Dive into my comprehensive guide, filled with precautionary steps and post-Bonfire Night care to ensure your pond remains an oasis amidst the celebrations.

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Preparing your Pond for your Holiday

Going on holiday? Prep your pond by cleaning it thoroughly, reducing water levels, covering with netting, and servicing the pumps and filters. Also, set up feeding solutions for your fish. A well-planned strategy ensures a healthy pond upon your return.

Article photo for Hot Weather and Thunderstorms and how they affect Your Pond

Hot Weather and Thunderstorms and how they affect Your Pond

Hot weather can raise pond temperatures and reduce oxygen levels, affecting fish health. Thunderstorms may alter water chemistry, causing stress for aquatic life. Mitigate effects through shade, water changes, aeration, and regular water quality checks.

Article photo for Can I feed my Pond Fish stale bread

Can I feed my Pond Fish stale bread?

Yes you can feed your fish bread, even if it's stale. However, feeding bread can cause your fish to become bloated. Feeding excessive amounts of bread (stale or fresh) will negatively affect your fish and water quality.

Article photo for What is Dropsy in Pond Fish

What is Dropsy in Pond Fish?

Dropsy (also known as Pineconing) is a fairly common disease found in garden pond fish. The fish will show signs of swelling in the abdominal area and is often fatal. The best action is prevention by ensuring your pond water is healthy.

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Why did my Pond Fish Die?

I've collated 30+ of the most common questions related to fish death and provided clear and concise answers. Learn how to identify a dying fish and what actions you need to take to prevent any further problems.

Article photo for How to Safely Introduce New Fish to Your Pond

Help and Advice

How to Safely Introduce New Fish to Your Pond

The key point when introducing new fish to your pond is patience. Place the bag/container containing your new fish in the pond for 20 minutes, and start to slowly add more pond water to the container/bag- this ensures your new fishy friends has time to properly acclimate.

Signs of Pond Fish Illness and How to Treat Common Diseases

Signs of Pond Fish Illness and How to Treat Common Diseases

Whether introduced via pond pests, or even a bad batch from the local pet shop, it's quite common for your fish to suffer from some of the most common diseases. Healthy Filtered pond water is key to prevention.

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Tips for First Time Pond Owners

First Time pond owners are often overwhelmed with the amount of information regarding ponds. To get started, you must first decide what size pond you want, what fish you want to keep and keep monitoring the water to ensure it's healthy for your fish.

Article photo for The Top 5 Pond Fish Breeds for Beginners

The Top 5 Pond Fish Breeds for Beginners

Choosing the right fish for your first garden pond can be like choosing sweets from the "pick n mix" section in Woolworths. Choose strong hardy fish that require minimal maintenance such as Orfe, Shubunkins - more below.

Article photo for Will thunderstorms hurt my fish pond?

Will thunderstorms hurt my fish pond?

Thunderstorms can change the water temperature and pressure in your garden pond. Generally speaking, Thunderstorms will not harm your fish - however heavy storms may cause rapid raised water levels and increased debris in your pond which could damage your water filtration.

Article photo for How do I treat swim bladder disease in pond fish?

How do I treat swim bladder disease in pond fish?

Swim bladder disease in pond fish can be treated by feeding your fish the correct type of food. In some circumstances it might be worth placing your fish in a hospital tank for further treatment.

Article photo for Can I use rainwater to fill my pond?

Can I use rainwater to fill my pond?

Rainwater is a 'free' source of water and can be used to fill your pond. In fact, Rainwater in most circumstances is healthier for your pond than tap water. There are some caveats to this, and I cover the potential problems with rainwater for your pond.

Article photo for Will the hot weather harm my fish?

Will the hot weather harm my fish?

How weather can negatively affect your pond fish. Decreased Oxygen levels in the water can make it difficult for your fish to breath. Long periods of hot weather can also accelerate algae growth and cause your fish to experience higher levels of stress.

Article photo Can I feed my fish more if I forget to feed one day?

Can I feed my fish more if I forget to feed one day?

Feeding your fish should be part of your daily routine, and doubling the amount of food because you “forgot” can have damaging effects on your water quality. Overfeeding your fish is not ideal (imagine eating a huge meal every 2 days), but can also attract pests to your pond/garden.

Article photo for Can I top my pond up using a hose pipe?

Can I top my pond up using a hose pipe?

Yes, you can top up your pond with a hose pipe - however you must ensure that you treat the water with a pond chemical to remove harmful Chlorine and Chloramine.

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Should I remove leaves from my pond?

Yes you should remove any fallen leaves that enter your pond and in this article I discuss the reasons why and what you can do to prevent it.

Can I feed my fish pellets from coarse fishing?

Can I feed my fish pellets from coarse fishing?

Yes you can occasionally feed your pond fish pellets from coarse fishing, however commercial fishing pellets are usually coated / mixed with additives and flavourings which will discolour, or add an oily layer to your pond water.

Article photo for Do I feed my pond fish when it's raining?

Do I feed my pond fish when it's raining?

The classic UK Rain should never prevent you from feeding your pond fish (it's not like they will get any wetter?). However, excessive rainfall may start to affect your water quality which could affect your pond fish's appetite.

article photo for How to add more oxygen to my pond

How to add more oxygen to my pond

The easiest way to add more oxygen to your pond is to aerate the water. You can do this with an air pump or water fountain.

Article photo for What type of fish food should I buy for my pond?

What type of fish food should I buy for my pond?

The type of food you buy for your pond will depend on the type of fish you have. Bottom feeding fish like Sturgeon will require sinking pellets, whilst goldfish will quite happily eat floating pond sticks.

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Why does my fish keep swimming upside down?

If you've noticed your fish starting to swim upside down this can be caused by Swim Bladder Disease, Poor Water Quality or Injury.

Article photo for Why are my Koi pond fish not eating?

Why are my Koi pond fish not eating?

If your pond fish have stopped eating this could be something as simple as the current climate (too cold), it could also be related to the food (stale) or you're simply overfeeding your fish.

Article photo for Should I remove old food from my pond

Should I remove old food from my pond?

Fish food that has not been consumed within 10-15 minutes should be removed from your pond. If you leave uneaten food in your pond you not only increase the nitrates in your water, but can also attract “unwelcome pests” to your pond such as rats and other vermin.