Koi Keeping and Husbandry

Even though Koi are a hardy breed of fish there are several Koi food mistakes you will want to avoid.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is overfeeding. Many people think if some is good then more must be better. Rather than feeding too much at once it is better to feed smaller amounts less frequently. You should offer your Koi more food only if it is eaten very quickly.

Excess Koi food won’t necessarily harm your fish, but if they overeat they don’t digest it as efficiently, and simply release it into the pond as a waste product. This extra waste pollutes the water and causes your filter to  to work harder.

If you spot any uneaten food in your pond remove it as soon as possible, before it decomposes in the water and produces toxins that can harm your fish!

Another mistake is to feed your Koi too often or not often enough. The frequency of your Koi feedings will vary according to the temperature. When temperatures are around 68 degreesF (20degreesC) Koi food should be offered 2 – 3 times per day. In cooler temperatures (50-59 degreesF or 10-15 degreesC) you need only offer Koi food once per day. If your Koi are kept in a heated pond then feed them according to the temperature the pond is kept at.

Making sudden changes to new brands or types of  food is another mistake you should take care to avoid. This will frequently result in your Koi refusing to eat.  If you do decide to make a change you need to do it gradually. Start by mixing a little of the new food in with the old. Over a span of 7 – 10 days gradually increase the amount of the new Koi food in proportion to the old until you have completed the switch.

While it is a great idea to feed your Koi some live insects, another mistake you should not make is to offer any stinging or biting insects. Fireflies also make dangerous Koi food since the chemicals that cause them to glow are toxic and can kill your fish.

Additionally there are particular foods that can be fed to other pond fish that should not be used for Koi. These include birdseed, corn, peanuts, bread, rice and peas. The reason that bread based foods and rice make poor Koi food is because they swell when exposed to water and can cause intestinal obstructions. Seeds, corn and peanuts are a poor food choice as well because they can also cause blockages because Koi can’t digest them. Peas and other carbohydrate laden foods are not good for Koi because they can lead to obesity in your fish.

One last mistake you may want to avoid is over-supplementation. Many Koi fish enthusiasts choose to supplement with extra nutrients. There is nothing wrong with this BUT make sure to check with your veterinarian before making any dietary supplement an additional staple in your Koi food plan. Just like too little of a nutrient can be a detriment to your Koi’s health, so can too much of a nutrient.

All things considered feeding Koi is not an overly difficult task. With a little information and planning you can avoid making mistakes with Koi food.

The author, Alan Deacon, is a Koi expert. If you would like more information about Koi food or Koi care visit KoiCareBasics.com