As autumn arrives and temperatures gradually decline, fish metabolism in ponds enters a critical transitional stage. During this period, fish must accumulate enough energy to survive the winter. Scientific adjustment of feeding strategies directly affects farming efficiency and fish survival rates. Proper management requires precision in feeding quantity, timing, and supplementation methods.
1. Dynamic Regulation of Feeding Quantity
In autumn, feeding rates must follow water temperature changes:
- Late August to mid-September (25–28℃):
Fish appetite is strong, metabolism is active. Daily feeding should be 3%–4% of body weight.
For example, in a pond with 1,500 kg of fish per 1,000 m², the daily feed is 30–40 kg, helping fish accumulate nutrition quickly.
👉 Using an Auto Fish Feeder ensures precise, timed, and even distribution of feed, reducing waste and improving feeding efficiency. - Mid-autumn (late September to mid-October, 20–25℃):
Growth slows down. Daily feeding reduces to 2%–3% of body weight.
Monitor feed intake carefully. If uneaten feed remains after 1 hour, reduce the next feeding by 10%. - Late autumn (after late October, <20℃):
Fish activity declines. Feeding reduces to 1%–2% of body weight.
When water temperature falls below 15℃, feed every other day to avoid waste and water pollution.
💡 Best practice: Fish should finish their feed within 30 minutes, with minimal leftovers. Here, using an Auto Fish Feeder with portion control helps maintain this standard consistently.
2. Scientific Feeding Time Arrangement
Shorter daylight and greater temperature fluctuations in autumn require scientific feeding schedules. Generally, feed twice daily following the principle of “less in the morning, more in the afternoon”:
- Morning (9–10 a.m.): Water temperature rises; feed 40% of the daily ration. Fish regain appetite after the night but digest slowly.
- Afternoon (3–4 p.m.): Water reaches its peak temperature; feed 60% of the daily ration for maximum nutrient absorption.
Weather-Based Adjustments:
- Rainy days: Postpone feeding until midday when water is warmer, reduce feed by half.
- Before cold fronts: Increase feed slightly 1–2 days before, but stop feeding during the cold spell.
- Sunny days: Feed slightly earlier in the afternoon to extend digestion time.
3. Scientific Feed Supplementation
Early autumn is the golden period for feed enhancement. Adopt a “high-protein + energy” dual-track model:
- Increase protein: Gradually raise crude protein in feed from 28% in summer to 32%–35% by increasing 2% per week, preventing digestive stress.
- Stepwise increments: Increase feed by no more than 10% per feeding, monitor for 3 days, and continue only if fish eat normally.
- Enhance fat reserves: Add 3%–5% vegetable oil or fish meal in mid-autumn to build energy reserves.
Throughout this period, follow the “80% full” principle—if more than 10% leftovers remain after 30 minutes, reduce the next day’s feed by 5%.
💡 Our Auto Fish Feeder makes this process easier by enabling controlled, gradual increases in feeding volume, avoiding overfeeding.
4. Water Quality and Oxygen Management
Feeding and supplementation can increase the burden on pond water quality. To maintain healthy growth:
- Test ammonia nitrogen and nitrite every 10 days.
- Replace 1/3 of pond water monthly.
- Maintain dissolved oxygen at ≥5 mg/L.
⚡ Installing FUTI aerators (such as Paddle Wheel Aerators, Impeller Aerators, or Roots Blowers) ensures sufficient oxygen supply, reduces feed waste, and promotes faster growth. Aeration is especially critical during high feeding periods and at night when oxygen depletion is common.
Conclusion
After the beginning of autumn, fish feeding must adapt to water temperature changes. By following scientific strategies—dynamic feed control, precise feeding schedules, enhanced nutrition, and effective oxygen management—farmers can save up to 20% on feed and boost growth by 30%.
With the combination of FUTI Automatic Fish Feeder (for timed and accurate feeding) and FUTI Aerators (for stable oxygen supply), aquaculture farmers can maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure a healthy fish stock that is ready for market before winter.
