Winter Goldfish Feeding Guide: Water Temperature, Feed, and Feeding Techniques

As winter arrives and water temperatures drop, the metabolism of goldfish begins to slow down and may even come to a halt. Experienced fish enthusiasts usually reduce feeding or even stop feeding altogether. However, many fish hobbyists can’t resist overfeeding, which often leads to serious problems such as goldfish sinking to the bottom, flipping over, enteritis, and pinecone scale after overeating. Therefore, when feeding goldfish in winter, the following points should be noted:

Changing the Feed

When the water temperature falls below 18°C, it is advisable to start feeding germ-based feeds that are easy to digest (feeds rich in plant germ components, such as wheat germ and corn germ).

Feeding Amount

• When the water temperature is below 18°C, it is recommended to feed once a day, with a small amount each time.
• When the water temperature drops to around 12°C, feeding can be reduced to once every two to three days, still maintaining a small quantity.
• When the water temperature falls below 8°C, feeding should be stopped.

Feeding Timing

• Feeding should be controlled around midday when the temperature is relatively stable. Never feed in the evening.
• Feeding should be stopped before and after continuous temperature drops, as well as on the day of water change.

Winter fishkeeping is relatively stable; goldfish will not die even if they are not fed for a month. Problems usually arise due to improper feeding, so it is essential to pay special attention.