Dock Koi

Pick a category of our Koi Food section

FEEDING YOUR KOI

Because they eat both animal and plant matter, Koi are classified as omnivorous. Koi cannot eat a large amount of food at one time because they do not have stomachs. Since Koi can’t eat too much at one time, they spend a lot of time looking for more food to eat. Koi will actually eat anything that is small enough for them to actually swallow whole.

Hand feeding your fish, though, can be a pleasant experience for both you and for your Koi. Instead of throwing the Koi food into the pond, you should consider taking a few extra minutes to place the food in the water in the same area every day. If you place the food in the same area every day the Koi will adjust to the routine, and will, with time, become friendly.

They will even become trusting enough to be hand fed. It has even been noted by some owners of Koi that the fish actually recognize their steps and follow them around the edges of the pond. Although taming and training your Koi will be a gradual process, it can be a very rewarding experience. By spending the extra time with your Koi, you will also be able to recognize any problems very early.

Choosing the correct food for your Koi is an important task. You will also want to be aware that their food will need to be changed seasonally to provide them optimal health. The nutritional needs of your Koi change with the rising and falling temperatures of the seasons. Adjustments to both type of food and portion size will need to be made in response to the regular readings of your water temperature.

As water temperatures fall the metabolism of your Koi and other pond fish slows down. This reduced metabolism makes them more vulnerable to disease. You will want to mix a wheat germ formula into their regular food when the water temperature falls to help the fish cope. You should switch to wheat germ formula entirely when the water temperature drops below 60°. This food will help your fish resist disease as it is fortified with vitamins and minerals which boost the immune system. Another benefit is that it will reduce the amount of fish waste in the water.

Koi and other pond fish often eat little or nothing all winter long. This limited consumption may result in low activity levels come spring. You will need to switch to growth food as the water temperature increases. This food contains extra protein, minerals, and vitamins, all of which can help your fish become more active. This extra energy will be especially important if you have fish which are young and growing or spawning.

You can really improve the appearance of your fish by adding color foods into their diet. These foods are designed to maximize your fish’s natural potential and are usually given at intervals.

Your Koi needs a diet that is nutritionally balanced. This means that their main source of food should be high quality Koi food pellets. This standard diet, however, can be supplemented with a variety of treats, which could include silkworm pupae, shrimp, vegetables and fruits.


Share

Showcase

New In