5 Essential Koi Fish Feeding Tips

Koi, or Nishikigoi (meaning “brocaded carp”), are a lovely species of fish that add a variety of color and enjoyment to many water gardens and ponds. In Japanese culture, koi are considered a symbol of love and friendship. One of the most satisfying parts of enjoying these fish are feeding times. Here’s a few tips for feeding your koi, brought to you by Aquatic Warehouse, a leading provider of koi pond and fish tank supplies.

1. Change the Frequency Based on the Season

Koi require up to four meals a day during the warmer months of the year. During the spring and summer, koi are highly active and need all the food they can get to support their high metabolism. Once the cooler months approach, koi hardly eat anything. Their metabolism slows dramatically, as they are less active in the colder water temperatures and only require infrequent feedings when the temperature drops below 52°F. Use only the “green” pellets, not the high-protein “red” pellet koi foods. Make sure to watch the weather. Koi should only be fed before a storm approaches. They require oxygen to be able to digest their food properly, and rainfall drastically lowers the oxygen rate of a pond, which makes food difficult to digest.

2. Feed the Right Food

Koi are avid eaters. They love fruits, vegetables, protein, and koi food. Water temperature plays a key role in what you should feed your koi. During the warmer months, koi should eat plenty of protein. Shrimp, plankton, and koi food are fantastic choices for the higher protein needs of koi during this time. Since there are four feedings, you can change the routine up a bit and still add in a few pieces of fruit or vegetables, but overall protein is the way to go when it’s warm. During the cooler months, koi should be given higher carbohydrate foods, making it easier to digest. They can be fed anything from wheat germ to lettuce. Keep in mind koi food is processed specifically for their systems, so it should be the base of their diet. Flake food should be given only to smaller koi, and larger ones do best with floating koi pebbled food.

3. Use the Five-Minute Rule

Koi should only be given enough food they can eat within the span of five minutes. This rule keeps the fish from being overfed. After five minutes, any extra food should be scooped out to keep the pond filters clear.

4. Store the Food Properly

It’s best to store pellets in an airtight container and to keep this container in a cool, dry place. Replace pellets seasonally, as oxidation can occur, which can create a molded product that is unhealthy for koi.

5. Feed with a Friendly Face

Koi are friendly, social creatures. They have a memory span of a few minutes, but with constant care and feeding, koi can eventually learn to recognize your face, and they may even come up to greet you before food is being handed out.

If you need any pond equipment to maintain a healthy environment for your koi, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Aquatic Warehouse. We have everything you need to keep your pond clean and your fish happy. Give us a call today at 858-467-9297, and one of our knowledgeable representatives would be happy to assist you.