Are you a new Koi fish owner that needs a bit of training on what to feed your Koi fish and when? If so, keep reading to get detailed rundown on foods that suits Koi fish the most!
Types of Koi Food
Koi fish food is similar to that of a goldfish. You can easily switch the food between the two fish and they’ll happily digest it all. Here are some types of Koi food you should know about!
Pellet
Fish food pellets are the most convenient pet food for most fish types. They make the perfect fish food because of their size and different formulations which are easily digestible. Floating and sinking varieties of pellets are used for different purposes.
Sinking Pellets: Suitable for colder months, when temperatures drop and Koi becomes less active.
Floating Pellets: Easy to monitor if you’re overfeeding your fish and helps eliminate the waste food.
For Koi to stay healthy and fulfill nutritional needs, pellets contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates and other vitamins.
Flakes
Ideal fish food for baby Kois as it is easy to digest. However, larger Koi might need more feedings of flakes than baby Koi. When opting for flakes, make sure to check for sufficient fat and protein level. This helps ensure it suits koi fish’s diet and supports vitality.
Freeze-dried Foods
Blood worms, clam, krill and brine shrimps are an excellent choice to support their growth and add variety to prepared foods.
Fresh Foods
Fresh foods can be a perfect addition to Koi’s diet as a treat. Foods like chopped vegetables and fruits such as peas, lettuce and watermelon can add nutrients and fiber according to Koi’s needs.
You can often feed some human food such as:
Vegetables: Zucchini, Broccoli, Lettuce
Fruits: Watermelon, Oranges.
Live foods: Mealworms, Earthworms, Crickets.
What Do Koi Fish Eat
A healthy Koi fish will eat anything it gets, especially in ponds such as plants, insects, worms, algae. They like to hunt their food in the pond floor and surface.
Having an ecosystem pond is easier and more manageable with Koi fish. They continue to find their food in aquatic plants and thrive in pond water.
Since, Koi have different dietary needs throughout the year, affected by water temperature. oxygen levels and their metabolic rate, taking extra care of their diet is necessary.
What Not To Feed Koi Fish
You can feed your fish around 3-4 times per day without hesitation but the food should be removed after 5 minutes to avoid feeding extra food than required.
When it comes to what fish needs, you shouldn’t feed carbohydrate-rich foods such as whole grains, corn and peas to your pond fish. Also, avoid feeding them white bread as they are unable to digest their food completely.
Factors That Affect Koi Fish Diet
Koi fish shouldn’t be fed the same throughout the year. But why? Read the section to find out.
- Season: Koi fish are cold-blooded animals, and their dietary needs change with the seasons. In spring and summer, Koi require more food as they become more active. While, in the fall and winter, Koi hibernates and requires less food, up to 1 feeding per day.
Size: Larger Koi consume more food than smaller Koi.
Water: Water oxygen levels and quality both affects the diet of Koi fish. Bad water quality leads to reduced oxygen levels which makes it difficult for fish.
Temperature: You don’t want to feed Koi when temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. As the temperature increases, their digestive system slows down, making them inactive and requiring less food.
- Pond Type: Man-made ponds increase the chances of over and under-feeding. The leftover food in the pond bottom leads to poor water quality.
Pro Tips To Feed Your Koi
Here are my suggestions to keep your Koi healthy and happy.
Koi shouldn’t be fed before storms as reduced oxygen levels can make it difficult for Koi to digest food properly. If there’s a storm prediction, consider waiting for a few hours before feeding your fish.
If you’re a new owner, try to experiment with what suits your Koi. As food sets the mood for fish, it can also impact on its health. You can scatter the food over the pond’s surface or hold in your hand to develop trust and friendship.
Feed your fish as much as they can eat in 5 minutes. This way you can ensure you’re not overfeeding the fish. Make sure to remove any untouched food to over munching afterwards.
Koi takes their food seriously along with the person who’s feeding it. It’s best to use this time and put extra effort to bond with your fish. This way Koi will recognize you and show any signs of discomfort or health issues faster than they normally would.
Koi Fish Food Automatic Feeders
Wanting to go on a vacation but worried about the feeding schedule? Automatic fish feeders can be the perfect solution. These devices release fish food at different intervals around the day. You can also program them easily to dispense different amounts of food for smaller and larger Koi.
Automatic Koi fish dispensers come in two main types: Ones with pellets and others with flakes to avoid mixing of food during feed. These tools are ideal for Koi owners who are busy, spent most time outside home or travel frequently.
Pros And Cons Of Koi Food Auto Feeders
Automatic dispensers are a treat for Koi to get food on time. They can be fed up to four times a day with these automatic machines but does that comes with a down side? Let’s find out.
Pros
Pond owners can travel easily without worrying about feeding their fish.
A scheduled feeding time which prevents overfeeding and underfeeding.
Cons
Fish dispensers can be expensive and could cost around $50 to $200.
They require proper maintenance, and water quality could be compromised.
If the machine breaks down, fish might go days without food, without you knowing.
Benefits of Having a Koi Pond
Koi pond can serve as an attractive center for your background along with the habitat to many fishes. It can also:
Help you relax and meditate in nature
Raise the value of your property
Reduce stress levels
Add environmental benefits
Now You Know What To Feed Your Koi Fish
Wasn’t it fascinating knowing what a Koi fish eats and when. Remember not to feed your Koi frogs or tadpoles, as they might carry harmful parasites or diseases that affect the Koi’s digestive tract.
As a responsible pet owner, choose the right products, such as fresh and freeze-dried foods with low carbohydrates, and consider your pal’s dietary needs for better nourishment. In spring and fall, feed high-protein food and for colder months, opt for wheat germ pellets.
