What can I feed my koi fish? Koi fish are pretty particular about what they eat, but if they are in the wild, they feed on anything from the pond’s bottom such as insects, plants, worms, seeds, and algae. Koi fish will eat about anything however it is still important for you to screen their foods.
These fish are common types of fish but due to their distinct coloring and lineage, they are quite special.
Koi fish are a type of carp but they care the same way as goldfish. This fish can be regarded as ornamental fish as well and this fish has been around for hundreds of years. With proper care, this fish can grow up to two and three feet in length, they can be quite large.
The feeding habitat of koi is something important to consider. This fish tends to eat practically anything and they are docile social fish which means they enjoy being in groups.
Goldfish is another very common pet fish and due to their yellow-orange scales which appears once breeding began, they got the name goldfish. Goldfish are natural omnivores so they will eat all matter of vegetation. So, read on if you are planning to feed goldfish food to your koi fish.
The Do’s And Don’ts Of Feeding Koi Fish
Koi fish is a really special kind of fish and although they will feed on anything and won’t stop eating as long as there is food.
But it’s important to keep a tab on what you feed them and since they can’t tell when they are full, you need a specific time to feed them. So, to ensure you are feeding your koi fish the right way, here are some dos and don’ts to guide you.
- Feed your koi fish when the pond water is between 50 degrees and 85 degrees Fahrenheit as this is the range they digest food well
- Skim any uneaten food from the water after 5 minutes
- Ensure to feed koi fish up to 4 times per day
- Get food pellets that are appropriate for the size of your fish
- Feeding time for koi fish should be fun so ensure to enjoy it.
Can Koi Fish Eat Goldfish Food?
Yes, Koi fish can eat goldfish and research also shows they can eat goldfish too. Koi fish tend to feed on anything that is provided for them, but this doesn’t make them aggressive pets due to their large appetite.
A larger koi fish can mistake a smaller goldfish for food but if they realize this to be fish then they won’t feed on it.
Kol fish have a very large appetite hence they need to be fed consistently, if the tank is overcrowded or they are underfed, they can easily attack each other.
Goldfishes feed mostly on live foods like earthworms, brine shrimp, blood worms, and daphnia, which are something you can feed to your koi fishes too.
You can feed koi fish anything humans can eat but you need to avoid foods high in carbohydrates. Foods like bread can be hard on their stomach but you can feed them other foods like vegetables, shrimps, and food pellets.
How long can koi fish go without food?
Koi fish have a very large appetite hence they are always hungry and can’t go long without food. However, during summer, they can go for two weeks without food as they can feed on the algae and bugs they find in the water. Koi hibernate in winter which means they won’t go with food all winter so they store enough for nutrition in summer.
How often should you feed koi fish?
Koi fish can continue eating as long as there is something to feed on. However, it is recommended that you feed them once a day for 5 minutes, this is enough to provide nutrients for them. Avoid feeding them too often, this can cause excess nutrients in your pond and skim away any food remaining in the pond as well.
Can you overfeed koi?
You can overfeed your koi. You shouldn’t feed koi more than three times a day and feeding more than one day a day every day will only lead to overfeeding and they end up looking a bit like tadpoles with wispy tails and big bodies. Not only that, but you can also stop feeding them in the spring.
Final Thoughts
Koi fish grows fast and they can be quite large too. Feeding them is one of the most essential aspects of caring for them.
While young koi can be kept indoors in an aquarium with 29 gallons of water while the larger ones should be kept outdoor in the pond. In conclusion, koi are easy to maintain and they can definitely feed on goldfish or anything nutritious for fish.