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With the cold weather just around the corner, I started wondering (as I do every year) about whether it's a better idea to leave the fish out all winter or bring them in.

Anyone have opinions on this? I have three comets and 2 shubunkins, plus a baby that's about 3 inches long. I definitely have enough space to bring them inside if I want to (presuming that my husband doesn't mind my setting up a couple of tanks in the dining room, that is!)

Is it healthier for them to leave the out or bring them in? I know that fancies have a hard time wintering out of doors, but these aren't fancies. However, one of them is a baby that's about 3 inches long right now. Any special considerations for him? Can he handle wintering outside?

i never bring my fish in over winter, it's never hermed them. not sure how cold your winters are, here maybe -10C at the coldest.

the pond should be at least 4ft deep to help them overwinter better.

it's less stressful for the fish if you leave them, make sure there is always a hole in any ice for gas exchange, use a ball floating in the water.

www.blooming-brilliant.co.uk

Heres the thing, the answer to your question is: it depends.

Depending on where you live, it might be a big deal about how deep the pond needs to be in order for the fish to be able to stay in the water. Usually 4 feet is deep enough for most of america.

Basically, where do you live, and how deep is your pond?

Two winter ago I left all my fish outside and they all died because even with a de-icer I couldn't keep a hole open. Last year all 49 came inside. I set up feeding troughs, grow lights, etc. up in the basement. This year all the fancy gold fish are coming in but the Koi and comets have gotten too big and I don't have the room to bring them inside. I will set up 2 de-icer and hopefully this will keep a hole open. (I live in central NY and last year got 220 inches of snow).

I don't bring in my fish in the winter, but then I live in Phoenix.