Pond Sticks
Keep your fish strong and healthy with pond sticks
No pond is complete without a collection of colourful fish merrily swimming around. Fish keeping is hugely popular today, with many a domestic garden featuring a pond full of stunning fish ranging from the much-loved goldfish through to more exotic breeds such as koi.
Fish are no different to other pets in that they require food in order to stay fit, healthy and happy. First introduced by market leaders Tetra in the 1980s, pond sticks have become one of the most popular methods for feeding fish - offering countless benefits to the fish and fish keeper alike.
Aside from promoting good health and colour through the vitamins, trace elements and protein they contain, pond sticks are designed to be easy for fish to digest. This is vital for ensuring that the fish don't suffer from built up gas and also for reducing ammonia levels (which can pollute the water and poison the fish).
Pond sticks are also intended to float, which ensures less wastage (any food that isn't consumed can be removed instead of sinking to the bottom) and also allows us to admire the fish as they swim up to the surface to feed - as well as assessing how much they are eating (they should only be fed as much as they can eat in the space of a few minutes).
Pond food is big business today, and there are many different types of pond stick to choose from. This web site explores the varieties on offer, as well as expanding on the benefits of pond sticks and answering some popular questions on the subject.
The Different Pond Sticks
Which food sticks do I need?
There are a surprising variety of pond sticks available on the market, which helps cater for the variety of different fish, the owners differing preferences and the effects of the various seasons. Some food sticks even have properties that will help enhance the colour of your fish, others still can help boost the immune system and give a long and healthy life. We will look at some of the different options that are available in more detail below, which may help to give an idea of which product is the most appropriate for you.
The most common and basic form of pond stick (most popularly produced by Nishikoi and Tetra) will be suitable for all fish, and will offer a good balance of nutrients, protein and vitamins. Some fish owners will stick to one basic product all year round and find that this works fine. However, for many fish lovers a lot more thought goes into the process. Particularly if you have rarer or more expensive fish (such as the Japanese Koi), you may want to change the food you are giving your fish at different times and keep an eye on the results.
During the colder winter months it is highly recommended to use a variety of wheatgerm sticks to feed your fish. When it is colder your fish will be less active day to day, which results in a general slowing down of their metabolism. Wheatgerm pond sticks are more easily digestible and contain a good amount of protein and nutrients, ensuring that your fish have enough energy to survive the cold season. This in turn means that they are strong and healthy when spring comes round, preparing them for growth and reproduction.
There are a number of pond sticks on the market that are specifically designed to enhance the colour of your fish, helping them to look vibrant and healthy all year round. Fear not though, you will need to check the packaging but the majority of these colour enhancers are entirely natural, so they won't damage the overall health of your fish. Pettex produce a brand of Orange Koi Sticks which have proven extremely popular among Koi owners. Because these pond sticks have an excellent balance of vitamins and nutrients, as well as their colour enhancing formula, they can be used all year round giving you striking, healthy looking fish.
In addition to the food sticks we have discussed above, other options include light sticks and extra healthy sticks. The light sticks are popular because they float for longer, giving your fish a better chance to eat them and resulting in less waste from the sticks sinking to the bottom. They are also ideal for smaller fish as their low density means that they can be crumbled up in the hand and sprinkled on the water. For those of you looking to ensure the health of your beloved fish, Pets Choice produce a range of healthy options. These fish foods are specifically formulated to give the perfect balance in order to satisfy your fish's dietary needs.
A Brief History of Pond Sticks
Where did it all begin?
Pond sticks are a relative newcomer in terms of fish food; they were originally launched by marine food giants Tetra during the 80's. Tetra was formed during the early 50's, kicking off with a simple form of fish food flake which proved popular and resulted in the subsequent expansion and success of the company. As pond fish became more popular, they developed specific products such as pond sticks to cater for this.
With the introduction and subsequent popularity of more exotic fish such as Koi, another big producer of fish food and other marine life products entered the market - Nishikoi. This company originally specialised in producing for Koi (an impressive, long living Japanese fish), but nowadays many of their products are used to feed all manner of fish. As Koi are predominantly pond dwellers, Nishikoi produce a wide range of pond sticks. Alongside Tetra, Nishikoi are one of the few market leaders when it comes to fish food.
As pet care has become more and more popular in recent years, a number of companies have taken to producing their own brand of pond sticks. This offers a cheaper alternative to products from the likes of Tetra and Nishikoi. Online pet specialists such as GJW Titmuss and Bradshaws Direct have their own brand, which have proven popular in their own right.
In conclusion, pond sticks are now a common product which most fish owners will be familiar with. When choosing the product for you, it is important to consider what your main requirements are (price, healthcare, volume, etc) and read through all the relevant information which is on offer.
Latest News
Keep up to date
It's important to feed pond fish the right food over the winter months. Wheatgerm pond sticks are suitable for colder weather, as fish find them easier to digest.
Fish become less active over the winter, and wheatgerm sticks provide them with the energy they need to survive the cold without overworking the digestive system.
Resources
Wildlife Trusts - Protecting Wildlife for the Future.
Wildlife Watch - Nature watch and spotting through the year.
Beautiful Britain - An appreciation site for the beauty of Britain, including walks and wildlife.
Koi Site - Everything you need to know about Koi.
Fish Pond Info - In depth information about fish and ponds.
Fish Food Emporium - For all types of fish food.
Oasis Hydroponics - Hydroponics and gardening equipment.
Tetra Pond Sticks
The UK's most popular pond sticks.
Pond Sticks
1. Pond sticks are a great way to keep your pond fish healthy and happy.
2. Floating food sticks are affordable and easy to use.
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