Small Free Standing Ponds

"In terms of fish freezing to death in winter, in the case of a small pond (and therefore just a few small fish), I've never understood how come the obvious answer seems to get missed. Can't the fish just be moved to a fish tank indoors for winter?"

In theory yes, but catching fish causes them stress which makes them more susceptible to disease. Also fish are sensitive to temperature change, small fish even more so. When moving fish the water has to be allowed to adjust temperature gradually. Out door fish are usually only sold late spring to early autumn because of this.

 

Can anyone suggest some helpful tips for small container ponds over the cold months then?
I am going to bubble wrap my tub, but is there anything else?

 

you could have used some loft insulation all around , bubble wrap will not be enough , and find a glass cover .

 

If you do keep fish outdoors in the winter, pop a floating ball on the surface to keep a hole in any forming ice... this allows gasses to escape. The fish hibernate on the bottom and mustn't be fed when ? below 10 degrees. You can also get a grid to place on top when kiddies are about.