Winter feeding, or not?
- Thread starter 88GT
- Start date
Stop at 45 degrees!!!
Fish cannot properly metabolise food beyond that causing bloat and other aliments.
My temp. to food ratio is....
65+ 2-3 times daily w/a high protein, growth and color formula.
55-60 1-2 times daily w/above food.
50-55 Once a day, skipping everyother day.
45-50 Once every two or three days w/a low protein, high fiber diet.
This schedule is reversed in the spring starting w/low protein and increasing as the temps. rise.
Below 45 stop feeding all together. In the fall when temps. get around 65-70, I start mixing in some heavy proteins in the form of worms, krill, and other meaty items. This conditions the fish and allows them to get enough fat stored for a long winter. Fish will have always have something to eat in the form of algae or other micro-organisms when the feeding stops should the get hungry.
Fish cannot properly metabolise food beyond that causing bloat and other aliments.
My temp. to food ratio is....
65+ 2-3 times daily w/a high protein, growth and color formula.
55-60 1-2 times daily w/above food.
50-55 Once a day, skipping everyother day.
45-50 Once every two or three days w/a low protein, high fiber diet.
This schedule is reversed in the spring starting w/low protein and increasing as the temps. rise.
Below 45 stop feeding all together. In the fall when temps. get around 65-70, I start mixing in some heavy proteins in the form of worms, krill, and other meaty items. This conditions the fish and allows them to get enough fat stored for a long winter. Fish will have always have something to eat in the form of algae or other micro-organisms when the feeding stops should the get hungry.
My schedule:
- under 12c - no feeding
12-15c - 1x every 2 days
15-19c - 1x every day
20+ - 2-3x a day
I would not feed fish under 50F. The food will spoil in their gut causing them to possibly die.
- under 12c - no feeding
12-15c - 1x every 2 days
15-19c - 1x every day
20+ - 2-3x a day
I would not feed fish under 50F. The food will spoil in their gut causing them to possibly die.
I always stop around the 55 degree mark. I keep comets and KOI which are very hardy. 500 gals seems a bit small for some bass...How deep is it and how low do temps get where you are? You may need a floating heater and/or bubbler to keep the ice open if temps get down to freezing.
Not if it is going to drop at night. If the temps. stay above for a few days maybe, but I wouldn't risk it. The fish may come to the surface and beg for food, but to be safe refrain.