Goldfish in the pond

[Kallen]

Dumb question...I have an inground pond in my yard. In it, during the summer, are 3 very happy goldfish. One is younger and smaller. One is about 6 years old and about 8 inches long. The third is a "fancy", about 6 inches. The pond is 16-18" deep. Traditionally, I keep them in a hex in my basement for the winter months. Cold weather approaching. Wondering how cold they can safetly stand it? I'd like to keep them outside as long as possible, as it's a much bigger environment and more natural for them.
Thanks

 

[Newman]

If you expand your pond to be deeper and wider, goldfish can actually winter outside. Fancies will not make it, comets have trouble and Koi are the best at it. There are steps you have to take such as decreased feeding in the fall time to prepare them for wintering. Its an interesting read, just find an article on this on google.

 

[MOA]

Hello,

Most goldies will go off their feed below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 C), fancies usually have trouble below 60. This being the case, I would suggest that you remove your fish from the pond once the water temperature statrts to linger at 55.

MOA

 

[Kallen]

Thanks for the answers. I can't deepen the pond as it's a hard plastic insert. As for the 55 degree, that's what I usually have done. I put them in a tank in my basement, that stays right about 65 degrees. Right now i am using that tank for a batch of swordtail fry that are too small yet for my 90g community, so I need to hold off bringing them inside as long as I can.
Thanks again!

 

[LadyLail]

Where do you live? What is your freeze line? If you are in a southern state, you may be okay... in the Foothills of NC where I'm at, I know of 4 fish ponds varying in depths that have fish year long. They go into a sort of 'hibernation' mode and are pretty much dormant under the layer of ice that forms over the ponds until Spring. The most shallow I know of is 18" and it actually has Carp, Koi, and Goldfish (and one Carp/Koi mix which is something I've never heard of...) and they do just fine.

 

[Kallen]

Where do you live? What is your freeze line? If you are in a southern state, you may be okay... in the Foothills of NC where I'm at, I know of 4 fish ponds varying in depths that have fish year long. They go into a sort of 'hibernation' mode and are pretty much dormant under the layer of ice that forms over the ponds until Spring. The most shallow I know of is 18" and it actually has Carp, Koi, and Goldfish (and one Carp/Koi mix which is something I've never heard of...) and they do just fine.

I live in Ohio. Dayton area to be specific. And honestly, I am not sure what the freeze line is in this area.

 

[homebunnyj]

According to an article in the Dayton Daily News, your frost line is about 32".