Winter can be hard on a goldfish pond, and it is essential to start preparing for its onset a couple of months beforehand. Use the following checklist to ensure a goldfish pond is ready for what Winter can throw at it.

1. Change the goldfish diet to one with less protein and more carbohydrates. This will build up fat reserves in the goldfish, which will give them energy over Winter. If the water temperature drops below 10 Celsius, stop feeding them altogether.
2. Clean the pond. Remove all the organic material from the bottom of the pond (dead plant material and goldfish droppings). If possible remove the goldfish from the pond, drain all the water, clean the bottom of the pond, and replace the goldfish in clean water.
3. Cut away dead or dying leaves on plants. Some plants will require more severe pruning, so get appropriate advice from a good aquatic or garden centre.
4. If a biological filter is used, put new filter medium into it to maintain water quality all through the Winter.
5. If the goldfish pond is likely to have autumnal leaves falling into it, pin a fine mesh over the surface of the water to catch them. If they get into the water they will fall to the bottom and the decomposition will remove oxygen from the water, and thereby from the goldfish.
6. Put a hiding place for the goldfish in the pond. Winter is tough on the animals that eat goldfish too, and they will take an easy meal if they see one. An upside-down flowerpot or overhang arrangement will work.
7. If ice forms on the surface of the water, melt a hole in it. This allows oxygen to enter the pond, and carbon dioxide (and other toxic gases) to escape.

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