For starters Koi are voracious
eaters, consuming almost anything that comes their way, so it's up to you as
their caretaker to provide your fish with a balanced and nutritious diet.
You have the option of feeding a commercially available food, live insects, or a
combination of both these items. In addition you can (and sometimes should) feed
occasional treats, fresh foods and nutritional supplements.
Koi fish are omnivores, meaning that
they will consume both plant and animal matter, and their preference runs
towards larvae and aquatic insects. Many Koi pond owners either minimize or do
not include plant life in their ponds because of their desire to have the Koi
themselves be the main focal point.
Another reason they leave plants out of the equation is the enthusiasm with
which Koi fish devour any edible in sight, often tipping over and destroying
aquatic vegetation in the process! So...if you are one of those who leave the
plant life out of your pond you MUST provide your Koi with adequate nutrition.
The most common and convenient type of Koi fish food is manufactured dry foods
made especially for Koi. They come in many different forms including pellets,
granules, tablets, chunks and flakes. These products are easily stored,
relatively inexpensive, easy to feed and contain sufficient nutrients.
When deciding which type and size to feed you need to take into consideration
the age and size of your fish and even the time of year. The best Koi fish food
for the summer months will contain more protein than the foods you feed in the
cooler months when your Koi are less active. It should go without saying that
you will want to choose smaller size pellets for smaller and younger fish and
larger pellets or chunks for larger fish.
Many Koi owners like to use additional supplements to enhance the colours of
their fish. In theory this works but take into consideration that the red colour
patterns in Koi are determined genetically. If the red fades then
supplementation will not restore it even though the supplement may contain the
raw ingredients necessary for colour enhancement.
Supplements do improve the overall health of your Koi and do boost their immune
systems. Commercial Koi fish food preparations incorporate some supplementation
into their recipes. However new and more effective products have been developed
in powder form and can be mixed with your current Koi fish food. Just make sure
you do your research and aren't overfeeding any particular supplement as too
much of even a good thing can be toxic to your fish!
Particularly if you are leaving the
vegetation out of your pond you will want to feed your Koi some fresh foods.
Many fresh foods supply vitamins and minerals. Bear in mind that these Koi fish
foods are meant to be offered as occasional treats and not included as dietary
staples.
The following are some fresh foods you can offer your Koi:
* Lettuce:
Lettuce is an excellent treat for Koi fish. You can begin serving lettuce by
shredding the leaves and letting them float in the pond. After a few weeks you
can put in a whole head of lettuce and watch your Koi enjoy tearing off the
pieces on their own. I recommend Romaine or Leaf lettuce as these contain more
in the way of nutrition than ordinary iceberg lettuce. Once all the leaves have
been eaten remove all the remaining pieces from the pond water.
* Oranges:
Oranges are another favourite Koi fish food. They are high in Vitamin C which is
a powerful antioxidant and also helps lower stress levels. These can be served
by cutting them into segments and putting them into your pond with the rind
intact. The Koi will rip away the flesh, leaving the rind behind. As soon as
your fish are done eating make sure you remove any leftover remnants.
* Prawns:
Koi consider prawns a delicacy and they are also a good source of protein. Since
they are high in protein they should only be fed in the summer months when your
fish require a higher protein Koi fish food for extra energy and can digest the
protein more efficiently.
* Garlic:
Koi adore garlic and will consume almost anything that is covered with it. You
can use a coating of garlic to entice your Koi to eat out of your hand.
Finally, you should consider adding insects and larvae to your Koi fish food
repertoire. If you do decide to offer your Koi insects then mealworms,
soft-shelled crickets, bloodworms, blackworms, waxworms and tubifex worms are
all suitable.
Feed them sparingly, and don't feed them at all unless you can guarantee they
are from a pesticide-free environment. As with prawns it is best to feed these
higher protein treats only during the summer months.
Even though there is such a wide selection I hope this article has helped answer
the question: "What is the best Koi fish food"?
About the Author:
The author, Alan Deacon, is a Koi
expert. If you would like more information about the
Koi fish food or Koi care visit
KoiCareBasics.com
