 In addition to the peace and
tranquility of Pond Keeping, spending time with your Koi can be equally
rewarding. Koi are very sociable and love a crowd of friends. They are
less apt to be shy when they are in a large group.
Your Koi will eat
from your hand, provided you have the patience to earn their trust and
friendship. Here are a few helpful hints:
- Feed them in
the same place every time.
- Drop a small handful of pellets and stay
there to observe.
- The bravest or hungriest will start to eat and
the rest will follow.
- They must see you when they eat.
- Don't walk away from the pond before they start to eat.
- Withhold food for a day if they won't eat in front of you.
Gradually, the Koi will equate you with food. This
usually takes about 3 to 5 days. Tease them closer with small sprinklings of
food. Put your hands in the water while they eat. The Koi will learn
that food comes from your hand. Start with just a few pellets.
The
bravest Koi will soon be nudging your hand. It is only a matter of time and
all of your fish will swimming, jumping and splashing toward you every time you walk
by the pond.
Koi
Feeding Guide
A Koi's metabolism functions
best at temperatures above 70° F. High protein foods are difficult to
digest when the water falls below 65° F.
However, Koi still need sufficient carbohydrates for energy when water
temperatures are low. This is particularly true for Koi less than 1 year
old.
Squash, bread, peas, citrus fruits, and
watermelon are good sources of carbohydrates. Never overfeed your fish! Koi do not
have a stomach. Feed smaller quantities more frequently for better nutritional
absorption.
Feed only as much as the fish will eat in
about 3-5 minutes. Koi pellets should be fresh and used within three months to
prevent oxidation of the food.
|
Water Temp.
(°F.)
|
Feeding Frequency
|
Food Type
|
|
Less than 50ºF.
|
Do
not feed Koi.
|
Temperatures at 50° F. of more than one month may require
supplemental feedings of low protein and high carbohydrates.
|
|
50-55ºF
|
2-3
times a week if Koi are hungry.
|
High carbohydrate, low protein,
laxative type foods. Wheat germ, Cheerios®, squash, lettuce and brown
bread.
|
|
55-
59ºF
|
4-5 times per week if Koi are hungry.
|
Add low
protein (25%) pellets along with vegetables. Increase quantities gradually as
temperature increases.
|
|
59ºF
|
Once per day six days per
week.
|
Low protein (25%) pellets along with high carbohydrate vegetables
and fruit.
|
|
60-
65ºF
|
Once per day every day.
|
Gradually increase protein in
pellets (35%) and quantity of pellets. Vary diet with vegetables and
fruit.
|
|
65-
72ºF
|
Once or twice per day.
|
Bulk of diet should be 35%
protein pellets. Add fruits, vegetables, and plankton for variety.
|
|
72-80ºF
|
3 to 4
times per day.
|
High protein pellets (35% to 40%) with color enhancers.
Add plankton, vegetables, fruits, and shrimp.
|
|