Feeding Koi Fish

Koi fish are mainly decorative fish kept in any outdoor water features or gardens. They are varieties of the common carp or Cyprinus Carpio. They are particularly known as a symbol of love and friendship. The Asian carp have been cross-bred with German carp over centuries, and now appear in several colors such as blue, red, cream, pure white, orange, green, and coal-black. To keep them looking as beautiful as they are, it is important to observe healthy feeding patterns of Koi fish.

What, How & How Much to Feed

Koi fish are known as omnivorous and will feed on foods such as prawns and worms. They can also survive on certain algae, if not fed. Feeding silkworm, in limited amounts, to Koi fish is useful, as it is a rich protein source. This kind of a carnivorous diet should not be made staple for Koi fish due to the lack of nutrients essential for their growth. However, they are excellent as an occasional treat and will even help strengthen your bond with the fish. Koi fish even love watermelon and citrus fruits. Foods such as peas and corn should be avoided as they are unable to digest their outer covering.

A balanced diet is the most important aspect to be kept in mind when feeding Koi fish. Like human beings, they also require a balanced amount of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, fats and minerals. Depending on the size of the Koi fish you have, the amount of the food you give it will vary. In any case, the food should be small enough for it to be swallowed whole by the smallest fish. In cases where there are large and small fish placed together in a pond, it can get difficult to analyze whether one fish has over eaten while the other fish are still starving. As such, it is a good idea to try to keep the rest of the smaller fish aside with the help of a net while the larger fish eat and vice versa.

Koi fish are known to eat from the depths of the water body they belong to. Thus, there are Koi fish foods known as sinking fish foods that settle at the bottom of the water body. In such a situation, it is difficult to figure out whether the fish have eaten at all, especially if the water is not clear. In other cases, Koi fish may also eat out of your hand. However, for that it is important to breed familiarity with them by feeding from the same place at the same time everyday, and watching them devour their food. For such purposes, a variety of foods known as floating fish foods have also been created. Here it is easier to understand how much the Koi fish have eaten as the food is floating.

When feeding Koi fish, remember to feed enough food to last only five minutes. Koi fish do not have stomachs, and therefore, are looking for food all the time. They, thus, have a tendency to overeat if not watched. This can even lead to their death. It has been established that Koi fish are to be fed according to the weight of the nutritional value of food, and not according to the volume of the food. That means, a small Koi fish is to be fed 5% of its body weight, while a mature Koi fish is to be fed only 2% of its body weight.

Consider Water Temperature & Weather While Feeding

If you want your Koi fish to survive, especially through the winter, follow this guide on feeding them as per the weather and water temperature.

• It should be noted that Koi fish digest food easily, or have a high metabolic rate when the temperature of the water is around 72 °F to 80 °F. In such a case, they should be fed at least 3-4 times a day, high protein Koi fish food, that include additives that will enhance their color. Fruits, vegetables and shrimp can also be included in their diet.
• When the temperature is between 65 °F to 72 °F, feeding Koi fish once or twice a day is sufficient. The diet should again mainly comprise 35% high protein pellets. Fruits and vegetables may be added for the sake of variety.
• At a temperature of 60 °F-65 °F, feed the Koi fish once per day. The protein in pellets should be 35% only with a combination of fruits and vegetables.
• As the temperature decreases to 59 °F, the Koi fish should be fed only once a day, and only six days a week. In such a case, the food should comprise only 25% protein, with fruits and vegetables rich in carbohydrates.
• Further reducing between 55 °F-59 °F, feeding the Koi fish 4-5 times in a week only if they are hungry should do the trick. Reduce the quantity of vegetables further, and maintain the low protein pellets at 25%.
• At temperatures between 50 °F-55 °F, or during winter, the foods should be laxatives and rich in carbohydrates. Wheatgerm, squash and lettuce should be part of the diet. The Koi fish should be fed only 2-3 times a week, and only if they are hungry.

Do ensure that when feeding fish food pellets to Koi fish, they should be no less than 3 months old, else they begin to lose their nutritional value rendering themselves useless.

Feeding Koi fish the right amount of food, especially around the winter, is essential, as they tend to die if over fed. The appetite of a Koi fish during winter is very small, and sometimes non-existent. On the other hand, during summer, Koi fish appetite is at its prime, and it can eat almost 4-5 times more than it does in winter. This is because the ability of the digestive system to digest protein is nearly zero during winters. The carbohydrates, then, provide the necessary energy for them to survive. Thus, maintaining a check on the season, as well as on the temperature of the water is of utmost important to develop healthy, bright and colorful Koi fish.