Help a fish out!
Unless you’re a polar bear, everything slows down when temperatures drop. Plants go dormant in winter, and if they’re perennials, they’ll bounce back in the spring. Fish, on the other hand, enter a state called “torpor.” It’s not quite hibernation, but since they’re cold-blooded, their metabolism slows way down. They can’t digest food, and their immune system weakens—so much so that it offers little protection when temperatures start rising again.
While most of us start thinking about spring cleanouts, there’s more we can do to help our fish transition into the warmer months. It might not be officially spring until March 20th, but Colorado has been giving us some gorgeous 60- and even 70-degree days! Now’s the perfect time to plan how to get your pond and fish off to the best possible start.
We visited this lovely pond in Longmont the other day.
Is It Time to Feed the Fish?
This week has been so warm—ponds are thawing out all over the place! You may have noticed your fish are more active. And after months of not eating, you might be wondering… Should I feed them?
I get it. They haven’t had a meal in a LONG time. But here’s the thing—when water temperatures are 50°F or lower, fish can’t properly digest food. Their metabolism is still too slow, and any food they eat could rot in their bellies, causing serious health issues—or even death.
But wait—it’s been over 60°F outside! Isn’t that warm enough?
Nope.
Even though we’ve had some unusually warm days (though that wind has been cold!), the pond water temperature is still only around 41°F. Water takes longer to warm up than air, and we’re still seeing nighttime lows in the 20s and 30s. And if you’ve lived in Colorado for any length of time, you know winter could come roaring back at any moment!
So, as tempting as it is, please wait to feed your fish until the water temperature is consistently above 50°F.
The big Spring wake up call
As everything starts waking up, so do the things you don’t want in your pond—parasites, fungi, and both good and bad bacteria. One of the first signs of spring in your pond? Algae.
Algae will wake up before anything else, thriving while beneficial bacteria are still sluggish. That means you’ll likely see string algae and beard algae long before your pond plants show signs of life. The first plant to green up? Marsh marigold. It’ll even give us lovely yellow flowers while everything else here in Colorado is still brown.
These are the fish in the pond above. I don’t know if you can tell from this picture, but they are large fish and doing great over the winter.
Boosting Fish Immunity
So how can we help our fish stay healthy during this transition? Probiotic fish food.
Yes, it’s a thing! Once the water temperature consistently hits 50°F, feeding probiotic-rich fish food will:
Help fish absorb nutrients better Support their digestive system Activate their slime coat (which protects them from infections) Reduce waste production, keeping ammonia levels lower
When digestion is healthy, the slime coat is activated, protecting the fish from fungi and infections. It essentially jump-starts their immune system! A strong immune system helps fish handle Colorado’s unpredictable spring temperature swings—and even the stress of a pond cleanout.
This is the Probiotic+ fish food by Blue Ridge Koi
So, while we’re all eager to jump into pond season, let’s make sure our fish are ready for it too. We like Blue Ridge Probiotic+, but there are other brands out there too. It’s a good idea to buy it now so you are ready when the temperatures are up and we can feed the fish. A little patience now means healthier, happier fish all season long!
* This blog was NOT written by AI. This was written by me. I am not a professional writer, I am a pond person. Therefore, if you see a typo, please forgive me!
*No koi were harmed in the making of this content.