| In the summer, you'll be more likely to be in your | | | | warms up, so will the metabolism of your fish, so |
| garden in the evenings, enjoying your pond, | | | | you will need to feed them at different intervals |
| watching the fish swimming lazily through the | | | | than in cooler weather. Estimate the total body |
| water. The heat of summer, however provides | | | | weight of the fish in the pond, then feed them |
| some challenges in maintaining your pond, and | | | | 1%-1.5% of the total body weight in food, 5-8 |
| keeping the fish healthy. These tips will help you | | | | times a day. Koi will digest their food faster in |
| to keep the fish and the pond healthy. | | | | warmer weather than in cooler weather. When |
| Oxygen | | | | the weather gets warm, you should feed them |
| Oxygen levels in your pond are essential if you | | | | about 5-8 times a day as opposed to 1-3 times a |
| have fish. When the water temperatures reach | | | | day in cooler weather. |
| 90 degrees F., level of oxygen should be at least | | | | Shade |
| 7.0 ppm. You will start noticing signs of stress in | | | | If your pond gets direct sunlight during the day, |
| the fish when the oxygen level drops to 4.0 ppm, | | | | especially during the hottest part of the day, you |
| and they will start dying at 3.0 ppm. The oxygen | | | | should provide shady areas for the fish to keep |
| levels in the water will drop as the temperatures | | | | out of the sunlight, especially in shallow ponds. |
| rise, so during the hottest part of the day, you | | | | Water lilies, rocks, and other plants will provide |
| should provide shade for the pond and the fish to | | | | shade for the fish. If you have to, you can also |
| keep the water temperatures down. Fountains, air | | | | shade the pond with a beach umbrella. Just make |
| stones, or other aerators will help to add oxygen | | | | sure that the fish have shelter from the direct |
| to the water to keep the fish healthy. | | | | sunlight to prevent them from getting sunburn. |
| Parasites | | | | Shade will also help to prevent algae. |
| Parasites such as anchor worms, fish lice, flukes, | | | | Evaporation |
| and other parasites will increase in warm weather. | | | | In warm weather, more water evaporates from |
| Some of the symptoms will include thick mucous | | | | the pond, especially with a large surface area. |
| on the fish, rubbing against objects in the pond, | | | | Monitor the level of the water daily, and add |
| jumping, and flashing. Visible parasites, like anchor | | | | water to your pond as needed. Remember not to |
| worms, fish lice, and others can be treated with | | | | use water with chlorine if you have fish. You can |
| Dylox, Dipterex, and Masoten. For other parasite | | | | buy water treatments that will remove chlorine |
| infections, you should consult a pond specialist for | | | | from the water, or fill a few buckets, and let |
| treatment. Be sure to tell them how the fish are | | | | them sit overnight before adding it to your pond. |
| behaving, and what the symptoms are. Follow the | | | | A pond does require quite a bit of attention in the |
| instructions on the label carefully to avoid killing off | | | | summer. But by following these simple tips, you |
| the fish as well as the parasites. | | | | can keep the pond and its inhabitants healthy. And |
| Feeding | | | | you'll get more enjoyment out of a healthy pond. |
| As the weather, and the water temperature | | | | |