What Do Pond Fish Eat? A Seasonal Feeding Guide for UK Fishkeepers

Feeding pond fish is more than tossing pellets—especially if you want them healthy, colourful, and thriving year-round. In the UK, temperature changes mean fish appetites and nutritional needs vary by season. Here’s a simple guide.

Spring & Summer (10–25°C):

As water warms, your fish become active and require energy for growth and colour development. Feed high-protein diets 1–2 times daily. Look for foods like Brook & Hollow – Regatta Reserve, which are rich in insect protein (especially black soldier fly) and essential fats to support metabolism and colour intensity.

Autumn (10–15°C):

Gradually reduce feeding to once per day. Switch to easily digestible, wheat-free floating feeds with added oils and minerals. This helps fish build energy reserves before winter.

Winter (Below 10°C):

Most pond fish enter a state of torpor. Stop feeding entirely once temperatures drop below 8°C, as digestion slows dramatically and uneaten food can rot, harming water quality.

Tips for Feeding:

• Always feed during the warmest part of the day

• Only feed what they consume in 5 minutes

• Choose floating feeds to monitor intake and avoid waste

Wildwyn’s Brook & Hollow range is crafted to meet the needs of ornamental pond fish across all seasons, using natural, sustainable ingredients that mimic what fish would eat in the wild—without fillers or chemical dyes.

Feeding with the seasons means brighter colours, healthier fish, and a cleaner pond. Whether you keep koi, goldfish, or fancy varieties, seasonal care makes all the difference.