Koi Fish Food

Koi fish have very distinctive pond behavior. They feed off the bottom of the ponds foraging for plants and small animals. Koi are able to forage for their own food if the number of fish kept is small relative to the size of the pond; however, if you intend to keep many fish you will need to feed them daily.

In this article I’ll discus only the basics of koi fish food, as the subject can get quite involved, especially if breeding, raising fry or showing Japanese koi in competitions. If you are serious about your fish hobby, then I strongly suggest that you consider reading one of the two recommended koi reference books I have displayed at the bottom of this article. They go into depth explaining koi nutritional needs as well as everything else that you need to know about keeping koi fish.

So here goes…

To get the best results with your precious koi it is essential to feed your fish the right diet, at the right rate. Although most manufactured koi foods available in today’s market are nutritionally balanced in order to keep your koi happy and healthy, it is my recommendation that you feed them a recommended and reputable quality pellet. Also recognise that you are not just feeding your koi, but your filter as well (that is… the beneficial bacteria contained in your filter! Visit this link to learn more about the Koi Pond Filter).

Koi fish food needs to be fed in smaller quantities and frequently for better nutritional absorption. There will also be less food wastage and therefore less pollutant in the form of nitrates and ammonia being released into the water.

Cheap Koi food often has a low nutrition and even a high feed rate will not result in good body structure, fish color or growth. Read what your packaged koi fish food contains, looking for a range of ingredients with a high nutritional value, and ask your local pet shop suppliers or other koi enthusiasts for their recommendations.

Feeding koi fresh fruits is a way of giving them the essential nutrients that may not be available in manufactured koi fish food. Koi carp can also eat trout chow, catfish chow, bread, peas, lettuce, fresh shrimp, earthworms and krill. Feeding them all these different foods will ensure they get the nutrients they require which may not be available in a packaged Koi fish food. Don’t simply feed the same food everyday; it is healthier to vary your fish’s diet. For example feeding bread to your fish everyday will not be healthy for them.

Feeding fish with floating pellets is an ideal way of assessing the health of all of your koi fish. You should make a mental note of their number at feeding time and to see if any are abnormally reluctant to rise to the surface for food. Feed small quantities of koi food two to four times per day in which your fish will readily consume in five minutes. To maintain good water quality, remove any unconsumed koi fish food.

Sometimes it is worth thinking outside the square when considering koi fish food. Look at ways to encouraging pond aquatic life by feeding them, which inturn feed your koi. For example, introducing water plants to your pond will provide a habitat for nutritious aquatic insects which koi will eat; or hanging a bright light over the pond at night will attract insects that fall into the water only to be gobbled up by your fish. This not only provides nutritious koi fish food, but saves expense with buying commercial foods.

Feeding time is one of the most rewarding experiences that Japanese koi fish enthusiasts delight in. It allows fish keepers to get to know their fish, tame them and enjoy watching their gobbling feeding frenzy.  

Here are my recommended Koi Fish Reference Guides. They have been written by experience koi breeders with a tremendous knowledge of the fish and their requirements. Click the book images below to visit their sales pages and learn what they have to offer. Getting the right information is necessary for successful koi keeping.

To save time searching for koi fish food in your local community, why not buy quality koi food online! I've investigated and chosen a small selection of koi foods from a huge available range. I believe these are some of the best commercial foods on the market. All products displayed to the right of this page can be bought online and delivered to your home.