outdoor goldfish

[bosschester]

I have an outdoor pond with several generations of goldfish and shubunkins. I suspect that the pond is frozen solid from surface to bottom. Are the fish likely to survive in these conditions? Although we live in a very isolated house in rural Nottinghamshire, I have never known weather this cold in the past 15 years. Does anyone have any suggestions that would help to ensure survival? The pump is switched off, and I observe all the usual procedures such as not breaking the ice, etc., but I fear for the fishes' safety.

[benny3008]

I should think it would take some sort of extremely low temperatures to freeze it from top to bottom! we have a pond in the garden to which i have never known to freeze that much. i may be wrong but i just think it sounds unlikely. :-)

[paddywak]

I also live in Notts and to be honest I've not even been near my pond since the snow stared but I suspect like yours it is frozen, however I doubt if it is solid, as Helen there is usually a bit were the fish can hibernate. I never bother trying to stop the pond freezing and in fifteen years I've never lost any more fish in winter then I would expect at any other time, mind you it is about 4ft deep and I'd be surprised if it froze to that depth in this part of the world

[NazNomad]

1. How deep is it?
2. Is it in the ground or above the ground?

[sophie_1003]

Our pond froze over last winter and two of three big koi died because of it; we noticed that they were floating just underneath the ice so melted it and got them out and put them in the bath; slowly bringing the temperature of the water up; they all seemed to be ok (if I remember rightly) but as we couldn't keep them in the bath all winter we put them back in the pond and made sure we kept melting the ice so they were getting enough air but unfortunately two of them didn't make it. Therefore we are currently being extra vigilant as don't want any more fishy funerals than necessary!

[sophie_1003]

Saying that all the other fish were fine so you might be ok!

[slinkycat]

I think the thing about not breaking the ice is because the shockwaves caused by banging on it to crack it can harm the fish. With that in mind, this year we have used an ordinary wood saw to make a hole, it went through 2" thick ice like a knife through butter.

[Avatar]

Fill a saucepan with boiling water an hold it on the ice, should melt through with no noise/shock wave risk at all