Koi Feeding Secrets

Koi feeding can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of having a Koi pond in the first place.  Many owners have trained their Koi to eat out of their hand. Like many pets the Koi fish will learn to recognize their feeder and swim around you at feeding time. Who wouldn’t want the enjoyment of these fish right in their own backyard?

Koi fish will eat a variety of meat substance and plant matter. If the pond water is kept between 61 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit your fish will always have a great appetite. If you want to give your Koi something special for a treat try lettuce or peas – even bits of watermelons will do fine. But don’t forget that Koi do require a more healthy diet as well with the right blend of protein, fats, fiber, minerals and vitamins – just like you. Koi can get their food from only two sources – their owners and the environment. To insure your Koi feeding provides the best diet most owners feed them pellet food. This can be purchased at most good fish stores. As you feed the fish the pellet food will float on the surface of the pond. This will attract the fish so they can be easily observed. Use this opportunity to inspect the fish to make sure they are healthy with good appetites and they are free of any injuries. The better the diet the better the vivid colors of the fish.

Koi fish are opportunistic eaters. They will eat anything that comes along as long as they can get it in their mouths. They will nibble on underground foliage of plants in their pond and even other fish if they’re small enough. Koi will co-exist quite nicely with other fish just so long as they are about the same size. Koi will also feast on a variety of insects that get within their reach on the surface of the water, and occasional worm found swimming in the pond. So remember a balanced diet is the goal of your Koi feeding program. Just remember it’s not really that hard.

For the winter months don’t worry. These cold water fish do just fine as long as their ponds are deep enough. Their digestive system slows to almost nothing when the temperature gets below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They may nibble on algae at the bottom but don’t feed them when it gets this cold. The food that gets left in their stomachs can go bad making them sick.

Koi feeding is really not difficult at all. Since these fish have such good appetites keeping them on a balanced diet is not really that hard at all. In fact, Koi feeding should be the time that you really learn to enjoy your fish. Letting them feed from your hand lets you interact with your Koi. Get to know them and enjoy them for many years to come. After all you got your Koi fish for the beauty and relaxation they bring to your garden.