"Frances Whited" wrote in message
...
I am a very new ponder here in Zone 5 Ohio. Put in one of
those 90-gal.
preformed kits in the spring, and we love it!

Addictive, aren't they?

Here's my question. I really didn't feed our two 4-5"
goldfish (one
comet and one something else -- all orange!) all summer.
Now we have at
least nine, maybe more, babies. The weather had gotten
quite cool and
the fish all were pretty inactive. I had read that you
shouldn't feed
fish when they start their metabolic slowdown for the
winter.

Now we're in a weeklong stretch of 60-70 degree days and
50s at night.
The fish seem quite active again. I worry about them
(especially the
babies) having developed enough body fat for the winter.

Is it OK to feed them during the warmer temps or should I
just let them
chow down on the anacharis?

Thanks!
Frances

As long as water temps are above 60 degrees, I feed my
goldfish their usual pre-soaked variety pellets. However,
in fall I start adding more grains, like whole wheat bread,
fruit (they love orange slices) and less protein, especially
in afternoon as temps cool down. There are commercial
goldfish foods labeled for seasons but they come in such
large containers I usually end up throwing most of it away
after about six months. (Nutrients deteriorate over time.)
I only have 7 goldfish+shubunkins in an outdoor stock tank.

If all babies survive the winter, you will be overstocked
(eventually). You might consider culling some of the
babies - giving them away if possible. Or hope the adults
take care of the problem for you.

Gail
San Antonio TX Zone 8