A garden pond is more than just attractive. It’s also a habitat for your pond fish. To keep them healthy and active, appropriate feeding and thus appropriate pond food plays a crucial part. However, for beginners in particular, choosing the right pond fish food can quickly become confusing and many questions about pond food can arise.
This section of our PROPOND pond guide will tell you everything you need to know about the basics of feeding pond fish. Among other things, we answer your frequently asked questions, such as: What exactly do pond fish eat? Which pond fish food is best for my fish? How often do you need to feed pond fish? How long can fish survive in a pond without food and what’s important when buying high-quality pond food for my garden pond?
Natural nutrition - What do fish eat in the pond?
Fish in ponds are fascinating creatures that can adapt naturally to their environment. But what do fish in ponds actually eat? As a rule, their natural diet consists of microorganisms such as plankton, insect larvae, worms or algae that are present in the garden pond. These sources provide the Pond fish with important nutrients and are particularly plentiful in summer.
Nevertheless, natural food is often not enough, especially in densely stocked ponds or for specific pond fish species. Here you need high-quality pond food, such as the JBL PROPOND range. It supplements the natural food and ensures the pond fish receive all their necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals. There is a wide choice between different types of food. But which food for pond fish is the best?
Pond food flakes, sticks, pearls or mix - what is the best pond fish food for your fish?
Choosing the right fish food for your garden pond plays a decisive role when it comes to the health and well-being of your pond fish. The most important factors when choosing the right pond fish food are primarily the protein/fat ratio, the water temperature and the pond fish themselves. Depending on which Pond fish you have in your garden pond, they also have different requirements for the pond food and it may make sense to switch to a species food such as the JBL PROPOND SPECIES range. A specific pond food for each season, such as the JBL PROPOND SEASONS pond food, can also be useful. As a beginner, you will probably be looking for a classic food for pond fish that covers most areas and can be fed regardless of the fish species (with exceptions) and temperatures. This means you can feed your fish in the garden pond - all year round - with just one pond fish food. That’s why all season foods such as JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS are among the most popular pond foods.
An optimal protein/fat ratio is particularly important in all season foods, as this pond food is fed all year round. Our JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS takes this into account and is therefore a natural and energy-optimised pond food for your pond fish. With most of these classic pond fish foods, such as our JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS, you have the choice between different food forms. This ranges from pond food sticks, flakes and pellets, to a pond fish food mix. But which is the right one to best feed your pond fish? And are there any differences?
In this section of our PROPOND pond guide, we take a closer look at the different forms of fish food for Garden ponds . We clarify which food is suitable for pond fish, what the benefits of their various food forms are, and what’s important to provide your pond fish with the best possible care.
Advantages of pond food sticks - JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS STICKS
Pond sticks are one of the most popular types of food for pond fish - and for good reason. Compared to other types of food, pond food sticks decompose more slowly, which helps maintain the water quality in the garden pond.
The floating property of pond fish food sticks also allows you to closely monitor your pond fish as they eat. This allows you to keep an eye on your Pond fish 's feeding habits and react quickly in the event of any abnormalities. Pond sticks therefore not only offer a practical feeding method, but also the opportunity to better monitor the health of your pond fish.
The JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS STICKS are high-quality pond sticks. They have an optimal protein/fat ratio, prebiotic components, vitamins and bioavailable zinc. Due to their size of 14 mm, the sticks are suitable for garden pond fish with a body length of more than 15 cm and can be fed when the water temperature reaches + 10 °C.
Advantages of pond food flakes – JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS FLAKES
Pond food flakes are characterised by their fine and light structure, which makes it easier for pond fish to eat and is easy on the pond fish's digestive system.
A major advantage of pond fish food flakes is their even distribution in the water. They initially float on the surface and then sink slowly. This allows pond fish in different pond zones to be reached. Pond food flakes are therefore particularly suitable for ponds with mixed fish populations.
The JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS FLAKES take into account the varied needs of different pond fish species in a mixed community pond, and can be fed when the water temperature reaches + 10 °C. The protein/fat ratio has been slightly increased and the yeast product used in the food has been modified in accordance with the all new formula. This gives your fish an energy-optimised pond fish food.
Advantages of pond food pearls - JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS PEARLS
Pond food pellets are available in both floating and sinking versions so you can customise feeds to suit the preferences and feeding habits of your pond fish. While floating pond fish food pellets attract pond fish to the surface, sinking pond food pellets are ideal for bottom-orientated species. As with pond sticks, floating pellets also have the great advantage that you can observe the feeding behaviour of your pond fish.
The JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS PEARLS are another food form of the popular JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS STICKS . Just like the PROPOND ALL SEASONS STICKS, the PROPOND ALL SEASONS PEARLS are prebiotic and contain all the important vitamins as well as bioavailable zinc for an optimal and energy-rich diet for your garden pond fish.
Advantages of pond food mix? - JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS VARIOMIX
A pond food mix combines different types of food such as pond sticks and pond flakes, providing a varied and balanced diet for your pond fish. This mix is ideal for ponds stocked with mixed fish species and mixed feeding habits, as it takes into account the needs of all the pond inhabitants.
The combination of different food types ensures that all the fish in your garden pond – regardless of their size or feeding habits – are optimally provided for. A pond fish food mix therefore offers the perfect solution if you want to cover different needs in your garden pond with a single product.
If you want a high-quality pond food mix, the JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS VARIOMIX is the ideal choice. It not only takes into account the requirements of different garden pond fish, but also ensures a balanced diet thanks to prebiotic ingredients, vitamins and bioavailable zinc. Like all ALL SEASONS foods, the JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS VARIOMIX can be fed from water temperatures of + 10 °C onwards.
Which food for small pond fish?
The most important criterion when choosing food for small pond fish is the size. Food for small pond fish needs to have a fine, easily digestible size that fits easily into the mouth. This allows the pond fish to eat the food without overexerting themselves. High-quality fish food for small pond fish also contains a balanced mixture of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.
One popular pond food that is suitable for smaller species are pond food flakes, such as the JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS FLAKES . Unlike pond food sticks or pellets, these can also be easily absorbed by small species or young fish and crumbled by hand if necessary. This gives you a fish food for Garden ponds which is suitable for both small pond fish and large pond fish.
Alternatively, you can feed small species such as minnows a dedicated food that is precisely adapted to the the needs of small pond fish ( JBL PROPOND BIOTOPE ).
The right time - When should you feed fish in the pond?
The right time to feed pond fish depends on several factors, in particular the time of year and the corresponding water temperature. While pond fish need regular food in the warmer months, their metabolism changes as temperatures drop. Feeding then needs to be adjusted. But when should you stop feeding your pond fish? And should you feed your pond fish in winter? In this section, you will find out how to feed your pond fish correctly and when to feed your pond fish. You will also find out whether the time of day is relevant when feeding pond fish.
Feeding in the cold season - Should you feed pond fish in winter?
Pond owners often ask themselves when they should stop feeding their fish in the garden pond. Especially in the cold months, many pond enthusiasts are of the opinion that the pond fish no longer need food. Nevertheless, it is often advisable to feed fish in winter. A key guideline is the water temperature, which provides a good indication of exactly when to stop feeding pond fish in winter.
It is a fact that, if the water temperature drops below 10 °C, pond fish drastically reduce their metabolism. At temperatures below 5 °C, they stop feeding almost completely as their metabolism goes into a kind of hibernation mode. In this state, pond fish do not require any additional feeding as they can draw their energy sufficiently from their reserve stores. Only in rare exceptional cases are small amounts of natural food, such as microorganisms or plant parts, consumed.
If temperatures fall below 10 °C but remain constantly above 5 °C, specific winter feeding is useful. However, classic pond food is no longer suitable for this. Special winter food for pond fish, such as the JBL PROPOND WINTER+CARE , is a good choice in this case. If temperatures fall below 5 °C, feeding is usually no longer necessary and needs to be discontinued.
Despite the strong focus on water temperatures, it is crucial you observe the behaviour of your pond fish. As soon as they lose interest in food or practically stop moving, it’s time to stop feeding – even if the temperatures are still above 5 °C.
Feeding after the winter break - When should you start feeding pond fish again?
As with winter feeding, the time at which you should start feeding pond fish again depends largely on the water temperature. As long as the temperatures are below 10 °C, feeding with a special winter food makes sense. A classic all season pond food is not suitable here.
You should only start feeding your pond fish again when the temperatures rise above the 10 °C mark. From this point onwards, you can also use a year-round food such as JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS again.
The water temperature is only a guide. Always observe the behaviour of your pond fish when deciding whether it is time to feed them. Here again, the rule is: if the pond fish show no interest in food or are hardly moving, feeding is not absolutely necessary, even if the temperature is already above 10 °C.
The right time of day - What time should you feed pond fish?
The exact time for feeding pond fish plays a secondary role, as the pond fish are primarily dependent on the water temperature and their natural activity rhythms. This is also heavily influenced by the length of the day, among other things. Therefore feed your pond fish when they are most active. There are a few recommendations that can help you find the best feeding time.
It is generally advisable to feed pond fish at the same time of day during the warmer months. Feeding in the morning or early afternoon is ideal, as the water warms up during the day and the pond fish are particularly active then. They also have enough time to fully utilise the food before the temperatures drop again in the evening.
In cooler temperatures, especially in autumn and spring, feeding is best during the warmest part of the day, as the pond fish have the highest metabolic activity during this time.
Amount of food - How much fish food do pond fish need per day?
Exactly how much food is right for pond fish depends on various factors, such as the type of fish, the water temperature and the time of year. While pond fish move more actively in warm temperatures (from around 10 °C) and need more energy, they reduce their metabolism in colder temperatures and therefore need less food.
But how much food do fish in the pond actually need per day? The basic rule of thumb is: only feed as much as the pond fish can eat within a few minutes. By observing your pond fish, you will quickly see whether you are feeding the right amount of food. If there are leftovers remaining at the bottom of the pond or on the surface of the water, it was too much!
Feeding frequency - How often should pond fish be fed?
This question is a concern for many pond owners. As with the amount of food, the feeding frequency depends on various factors. There is therefore no universal answer as to how often you should feed fish in a pond. However, the temperature is a key indicator for determining how often pond fish should be fed.
In warm temperatures (above 10 °C), you need to feed your pond fish several times a day. It is therefore advisable to feed the fish once or twice a day in small portions instead of giving them a large amount all at once. This ensures that all the fish in the pond get enough food and avoids unnecessary leftover food that could pollute the water.
In the colder months, when temperatures fall below 10 °C, pond fish generally consume less food. During this phase, it is often not necessary to feed them daily.
How long can fish survive in the pond without food?
Lots of pond owners ask themselves whether their fish will starve if they are not fed for a while. But how long can fish survive in a pond without food? In fact, pond fish, including goldfish, are adaptable Animals ,which are able to survive for long periods without additional food in a well-established pond with sufficient natural food.
However, this does not mean that specific feeding with high-quality pond food can be dispensed with. Especially in a densely populated pond, the supply of ‘natural’ food is not sufficient for all fish, and it can lead to malnutrition. In addition, the supply of natural live food such as insect larvae or other microorganisms varies depending on the season and the nutrient requirements change depending on the water temperature.
To summarise: Do fish need to be fed in the pond? In most cases, yes - at least as a supplementary measure. How long fish can survive without food in the pond depends on various factors. Pond fish can manage without additional food for a certain period of time, but depending on the conditions, they are dependent on dedicated feeding to avoid Nutritional deficiencies and a weakened immune system.
My pond fish are not eating - what can I do?
If your pond fish suddenly stop eating, there may be several causes. In many cases there is a harmless explanation behind it. But sometimes it can also be an indication of health problems or unfavourable environmental conditions in the pond.
Possible reasons why pond fish do not eat:
- Poor water quality: High ammonia or nitrite levels, a lack of oxygen or a pH value that is too high can cause fish to refuse to eat. Regular water analysis helps to recognise problems at an early stage.
- Change of food: If you have changed the food, the fish may first have to get used to the new flavour or consistency.
- Stress or illness: New fish, overstocking or parasite infestations can cause stress, causing the fish to refuse to eat. Watch out for behavioural changes such as clamped fins, lethargy or increased chafing.
- Overfeeding: If too much food was fed last time, the fish may simply be full. Observe whether there is still food floating in the water and remove it manually. Reduce the amount of food if necessary.
- Water temperature too low: At temperatures below 5 °C, they as good as stop eating completely. Then you don't need to feed your fish in the pond and your pond fish will show normal behaviour.
In any case, it is important to check the water values ( Testing water ) and to observe the behaviour of the pond fish closely. If the abnormalities persist, it may be advisable to consult an expert or specialist vet for ornamental fish.
Can you make your own pond fish food?
It is perfectly possible to make your own pond fish food. However, this requires a good understanding of the nutritional requirements of pond fish. A balanced pond fish food should contain all the essential nutrients required for growth, vitality and a strong immune system. In addition, the production process is complicated and very time-consuming. It should be possible to ensure that the food does not have a negative impact on the water quality.
High-quality pond foods such as our JBL PROPOND ALL SEASONS contain an optimised nutrient mix and are stable enough not to have a negative effect on the water quality. This allows you to feed your pond fish with a naturally energy-optimised pond fish food. In addition, all our JBL PROPOND foods are 100 % Made in Germany!
