Pets Choice Pond Sticks

Overfeeding a pond is easier to do than overfeeding a tank, because a cloudy pond does not show the mistake until it is already a water-quality problem. Pets Choice pitch these sticks to be sprinkled sparingly, consumed within 10-15 minutes, on the basis that overfeeding clouds the water while underfeeding just leaves fish waiting at the surface for more.

The recipe includes cereals, vegetable protein extract, fish and fish derivatives, minerals, oils and fats, and spirulina algae at 0.05%, with an EEC-permitted antioxidant. Crude protein is 26.5%, crude fat 3.5%, crude fibre 2.5% and ash 5%. Pets Choice recommend storing the sticks in an airtight container in dry, cool conditions once opened.

• Protein 26.5%, fat 3.5%
• Crude fibre 2.5%, ash 5%
• Spirulina algae included at 0.05%
• Feed only what is consumed within 10-15 minutes
• Store in an airtight container once opened
• 5kg bag

On species guidance. the maker does not state whether this is formally a complete or complementary food, and gives no guidance on which fish species it particularly suits beyond "pond fish" generally — a mixed pond of goldfish, koi and orfe will take to floating sticks differently depending on size, so watch how quickly it disappears rather than assuming a fixed amount.

Who it's for: pond keepers with goldfish, koi or orfe who want a floating stick food for the growing season and are prepared to feed by observation rather than a fixed daily measure.