Jerebu Ikan Kolam: Protecting Ponds and Tanks During Haze Season in Malaysia

Here is the short jerebu ikan kolam answer. During haze, pond fish face two linked problems: fine ash and dust settling on the water, and the hot, dry, still weather that usually comes with haze, which warms ponds and lowers oxygen. The practical response is simple: cover or shade the pond with fine netting or a canopy, run extra aeration, feed less, top up evaporation with treated water, and test water more often. Indoor aquariums are much less affected, but closed windows can make rooms hotter, so watch tank temperature too.

Haze isn't new to Malaysians, but there's almost no hobby advice on what it means for koi fish ponds and home tanks. This guide keeps it practical and avoids guesswork.

What Haze Does to a Fish Pond

1. Ash and particles on the water

Haze carries fine particles from burning vegetation. Some settle on open water as a dusty film, along with ash in some episodes. Over days this can:

• Coat the surface and reduce gas exchange slightly
• Add fine sediment that clogs pond filters faster
• Possibly shift water chemistry such as pH. The effect varies, so test rather than assume.

2. Less sunlight

Thick haze dims daylight. Algae and pond plants photosynthesise less, so they produce less oxygen in the daytime. Green-water ponds that depend on algae for oxygen can see bigger swings.

3. Heat and drought

In Malaysia, haze episodes often overlap with hot, dry periods. In a 2026 statement reported by Berita Harian, the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Malaysia asked aquaculture operators to step up monitoring because the hot weather that typically comes with haze can raise the risk of fish deaths. The same logic applies to garden ponds: warm water holds less oxygen, fish need more of it, and evaporation concentrates waste.

Jerebu Ikan Kolam Checklist

Step	Why	How
Cover or shade the pond	Reduces ash fall and heating	Fine netting, a shade cloth canopy or a temporary roof; leave sides open for airflow
Increase aeration	Offsets low oxygen	Add airstones, a fountain or a waterfall; run the air pump 24 hours
Feed less	Less waste, lower oxygen demand	Smaller portions; skip feeding on the worst days or if fish are sluggish
Top up evaporation	Prevents waste concentrating	Use tap water treated with anti klorin, added slowly
Clean filter pre-sponges more often	Ash and dust clog media	Rinse in pond water, never tap water
Skim the surface	Removes floating film	Pond net or skimmer
Test water more often	Detect pH, ammonia changes	pH, KH, ammonia and nitrite test kits
Watch the fish morning and evening	Oxygen is lowest before dawn	Gasping at the surface is an emergency

Pond nets, skimmers and covers are listed under FishyHub's pond equipment and accessories, with test kits under water test kits.

Aeration: The Most Important Step

If you only do one thing during haze, add air. Options:

• Air pump + airstones: the cheapest way to add oxygen. Place stones in the deepest part of the pond. See the air pumps page.
• Waterfall or fountain: moves surface water, which is where oxygen enters.
• Point return pipes at the surface so they ripple it.

Run aeration through the night. Oxygen is usually lowest just before sunrise, when plants and algae have been consuming oxygen all night.

Should You Change Water During Haze?

Small, regular water changes are fine and helpful, using tap water treated with anti klorin. Avoid using rainwater during haze episodes: the first rain after a haze period can wash particles out of the air. See our guide to using rainwater for fish for more on this. Our pillar on Malaysian tap water and anti klorin explains treating top-up water.

Indoor Aquariums During Haze

Indoor tanks are far safer, but:

• Closed windows make rooms hotter. If you're not running aircond, check tank temperature in the afternoon. A cooling fan helps; our aquarium cooling guide covers options.
• Air pump intakes draw room air. Indoors with windows shut, this is not usually a concern.
• Balcony tanks and tubs (betta tubs, live food cultures) should be covered or brought inside on bad days.

How to Check the Haze Level

The Department of Environment (DOE) Malaysia publishes Air Pollutant Index (API) readings for monitoring stations nationwide through its official APIMS portal. Use it to decide when to cover ponds and bring outdoor tubs indoors. We don't give fish-specific API thresholds because there's no official guidance for ornamental ponds.

Signs Your Pond Fish Are Struggling

• Gasping at the surface, especially early morning
• Crowding near waterfalls or airstones
• Lethargy, not eating
• Rubbing or flashing (possible irritation)
• Sudden deaths after a hot, still night

If you see these, add aeration immediately, stop feeding, do a partial water change with treated water, and test ammonia. If fish keep dying, see our guide on kenapa ikan mati.

After the Haze

• Clean pond filters and skim the surface.
• Rinse any covers before storing them.
• Test water again, and do a partial water change.
• Watch for algae blooms when bright sunlight returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adakah jerebu boleh bunuh ikan kolam?

Jerebu sendiri jarang menjadi punca utama, tetapi cuaca panas dan kering yang selalu datang bersama jerebu boleh menurunkan oksigen dalam air dan meningkatkan risiko ikan mati. Tambah pam udara, kurangkan makanan dan tutup kolam dengan jaring halus.

Perlu ke tutup kolam ikan masa jerebu?

Ya, jika boleh. Gunakan jaring halus atau kanopi teduhan untuk mengurangkan abu dan debu yang jatuh ke dalam air, tetapi biarkan bahagian tepi terbuka supaya udara masih boleh mengalir.

Does haze change pond pH?

It can, but the effect varies. Test pH and KH more often during haze episodes rather than assuming a change.

Is my indoor aquarium affected by haze?

Much less than an outdoor pond. The main risk is a hotter room with windows shut, so monitor temperature.

Should I stop feeding my koi fish during haze?

Feed less rather than stopping completely, unless fish are sluggish or the water is very warm. Less food means less waste and lower oxygen demand.

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Prepare your pond before the next haze season. Browse pond equipment and air pumps from Malaysian sellers on FishyHub, with prices in RM.