I have a 80 gallon pond with 4 fancy goldfish. The water is getting cold (40-50 degrees F).
I've read comments about letting them fend for themselves without a heater, putting a heater in, or bringing them inside when the water is less than 50 degrees. I don't know if there is any authoritive answer out there about what to do to help my goldfish survive the cold in Louisiana.

Also, one of my goldfish seems to be swimming on it's side. Could this be due to the cold? I have a water pump with a UV/Bio filter. All the water chemistries are acceptable.

Ricky

IF they were commets or most other long bodied fish they could stand lower temps better and there is a long list of what to feed and how much before they slow down and not eat for winter.
But being fancy and not the best for outdoor ponds I would think a heater and possble a cover to prevent ice would be a good idea.
I have read aticals about how to winter pond fish but dont have a pond. But that is a few of the things I remeber from what I have read.
If you live in the north and get snow and stuff I would recomend a rubber maid tub and bringing them indoors for the winter.

Hidr is right, it depends on what kind of goldfish you have. Some breeds stand the cold better than others. My ranchu, ryukin and orandas outside show no sign of slowing down or anything out there, and we have had the temps in the higher 50s already, while my bristol shubunkins did not well at all and got a very bad case of Ich, with 4 of the 6 not making it.
So, I would say, to be on the safe side, a heater and a cover is the miminum for them, with an emergency plan in place in case you need to bring them inside....

My father has had a pond for 10 years and he uses a heater because he had lost a fancy fish before and realized it must have died from the cold. After he bought the heater the fish are all perfect. He feeds them during winter, the water is heated so they do not go in sleep mode. He never has problems with his fish and illnesses. he also puts a screen over the pond. that way he con keep falling leaves out of it during the winter and they can still breath.
hope this helps!

I left my Koi and Comets in the pond 2 years ago. They were fine. Last year with a heater I just couldn't keep a hole opened to let the gases out and they all died. This year I have brought all my fish inside. They are in several rubbermaid feeding troughs with plants, grow lights, filters etc and are doing fine. I would've brought my fancy goldfish in regardless. Next year the Koi will probaly have to stay outside due to their size.

Thanks, everyone.
I bought a submersible heater and the fish all look fine now.

Ricky

Yes, with only an 80 gallon you would have to be careful of it freezing solid...depending on where you live. I'm in zone 6 and last year my 100 gallon froze solid. Thankfully my fish were on a vacation in our basement!