Koi Feeding Tips
What could be more fun that going out to your pond, kneeling by the edge and feeding each of your fish by hand? The beautiful fish known as Koi are not only the perfect addition to your backyard pond, but are smart enough to recognize you as their caretaker. When you approach the pond, they will swim to you and eagerly await their feeding time.
Koi fish are omnivores, meaning they will eat both meat and plant based foods. They have a healthy appetite when their pond is kept at the optimal temperature (between 61 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit). In warmer months when Koi fish are most active, they should be fed a high quality diet.
Remember that your Koi are fed by two sources – you and their environment. Be sure the pond is stocked with underwater plants for your Koi to nibble. Insects that fall into the pond are Koi food, as well as any greenery near the edge of the pond. Owners have reported seeing their Koi partway out of the pond, eating grass or even acorns! Koi are like babies – they will attempt to eat anything that will fit into their mouths.
Like their cousin, the goldfish, Koi enjoy a variety of “people food” including peas, lettuce, lemons, oranges, and even watermelon!
Be sure your Koi get the right nutrition by feeding them a quality pellet food. These foods have the right balance of protein, fats, fiber, minerals and vitamins necessary for good health. Koi fed a healthy diet will be vividly colored and shiny. Feeding time is also a good time to asses your Koi for any injuries or changes to their appearance.
When the temperature drops for winter, so does the need for the Koi to feed....
Their digestive tract slows to a crawl. Pellet food will grow rancid in their stomach and cause them illness in the winter months, so while it seems counterintuitive, do not feed your Koi in temperatures below 50 degrees. They will graze on algae at the bottom of the pond and fare just fine on the nutrition from that food source.
Koi are opportunistic eaters, they will eat anything and they will eat as often as you feed them.....
Do not stress about how much, when, or how your Koi are being fed. Simply take pleasure in the time you spend by your pond, bonding with your Koi over slices of orange or slivers of watermelon.
Get to know each fish as they show their distinct personalities. Feeding your Koi is one of the pleasures of having a Koi pond, so enjoy your time sharing a healthy snack with your fish friends.
