Koi Feeding Tips

Koi feeding is an often overlooked facet of the outdoor pond hobby. Koi kept in northern climates will require special care before and after the hibernation season. Although not as important in warmer areas, the role of temperature in Pond Fish feeding is very important. As the temperature rises, so should the quantity and frequency of feeding. Since they have no stomachs, Koi require food conducive to proper digestion. Since their bodies are regulated by water temperature, Koi cannot digest food as well in colder temperatures.

In cold weather climates, care must be taken when providing food before and after hibernation. As they water temperature dips below 45° F, Koi's metabolism begins to slow to the point that digestion is severely slowed. Excess protein stuck in the digestive tract can lead to infection and infection while hibernating is a formula for disaster. Therefore, when the temperature drops below 50° F, it is imperative to switch to a wheat germ based, low-protein food source. This is equally important during the spring, when the temperature fist rises to above 45°. As the temperature rises back above 50, the food source can be switched back to a normal-protein staple diet. As the temperature rises further above 65, a higher protein, summer formula, can be used.

Without stomachs, Koi do not have the means to store nutrients, and as such, require consistent feeding to meet their nutritional requirements. Bear in mind that fish kept outdoors, even without a thriving natural environment, are provided the luxury of natural food choices. Insects, larvae, and plant and algae matter are all suitable food sources, often more nutritious than the prepared diets we provide. While the Koi may not be able to thrive on naturally occurring food alone, it provides the supplementation necessary to keep the fish going between feedings. This will also afford you the opportunity to leave them unattended during short vacations. When it's possible, Koi should be fed several small meals per day to allow their digestion to properly function. When the temperature falls below 60, only a few feedings per week are needed, and below 50, only one or two feedings per week will be required.

Since Koi vary wildly in size, the easiest way to measure quantity when feeding is to follow the one minute rule. After one minute of feeding, there should be no excess food remaining. It may take several feedings to perfect this, and will change throughout the season, and as your fish grow. It is far more likely that your fish will be overfed than underfed, and always remember that they have a natural food source to fall back on. Koi often appear to be perpetually hungry, but that is more a trained response to your presence than a fundamental requirement. Even though they may consume as much koi food as you provide, they can only digest so much of it. The rest simply passes through their system, resulting in an excess of nutrients, and providing nuisance algae and weeds a strong fertilizer with which to grow.

Casey Coke is a Marketing Manager for Natural Environmental Systems, LLC, a global supplier of microbial solutions for pond and lake management. The company markets their own brand of koi pond supplies under the registered brand name of Pond Keeper.