Do you notice your fish are inactive and not eating during hot weather?
Be sure to aerate your pond with an aeration system. Water falls, water circulation pumps and spitters do not offer as much oxygen as aeration pumps.
Warm water cannot hold enough dissolved oxygen and fish will suffer. You may notice they are at the top of the surface gulping for air (this is called piping) or at the waterfall so the water can pass by their gills. They are not playing. They are suffering.
Aeration pumps with appropriately placed air diffusers move the cooler water at the bottom of the pond upwards. While this may help cool the top of the water surface, the biggest benefit is it increases dissolved oxygen needed for fish (especially larger fish)
It is time to change fish foods when water temp is over 80 degrees.
If your water temperature reaches 80 degrees, switch from high protein food to low protein wheat germ food. This will help reduce the biological load on your filtration and reduce problems with water chemistry.
Stop Feeding when Water Temp is over 86 degrees.
If your water temperature 86 degrees or higher, stop feeding your fish. They’ll be fine. Start feeding after water temps drop below 85 degrees.
FEEDING DIRECTIONS
Regularly monitor your water temperature and adjust the amount and frequency of your feedings based on this temperature, the water condition, number and size of fish and their activity level. Avoid over-feeding and always remove any uneaten food remaining after the feeding period.