Koi Information » Feeding Koi

In addition to the peace and tranquility of Pond Keeping, spending time with your Koi can be equally rewarding.  Koi are very sociable and love a crowd of friends.  They are less apt to be shy when they are in  a large group.

Your Koi will eat from your hand, provided you have the patience to earn their trust and friendship.  Here are a few helpful hints:

• Feed them in the same place every time.
• Drop a small handful of pellets and stay there to observe.
• The bravest or hungriest will start to eat and the rest will follow.
• They must see you when they eat.
• Don't walk away from the pond before they start to eat.
• Withhold food for a day if they won't eat in front of you.

Gradually, the Koi will equate you with food.  This usually takes about 3 to 5 days.  Tease them closer with small sprinklings of food.  Put your hands in the water while they eat.  The Koi will learn that food comes from your hand.  Start with just a few pellets.

The bravest Koi will soon be nudging your hand.  It is only a matter of time and all of your fish will swimming, jumping and splashing toward you every time you walk by the pond.

A Koi's metabolism functions best at temperatures above 70° F.  High protein foods are difficult to digest when the water falls below  65° F.  

However, Koi still need sufficient carbohydrates for energy when water temperatures are low.  This is particularly true for Koi less than 1 year old. 

Squash, bread, peas, citrus fruits, and watermelon are good sources of carbohydrates. Never overfeed your fish! Koi do not have a stomach.  Feed smaller quantities more frequently for better nutritional absorption.  

Feed only as much as the fish will eat in about 3-5 minutes.  Koi pellets should be fresh and used within three months to prevent oxidation of the food.