How do I feed my koi fish in my aquarium?

When should I start feeding my Koi?

The right time to start feeding your koi revolves around one thing: WATER TEMPERATURE. We recommend commencing feeding at 55 degrees F. Even though the water temp may be ok at 55, we still recommend only feeding once a day and quite possibly a lower protein food.

Is it time to start feeding your pond fish?

The weather is slowly starting to warm up, maybe the ice has even melted from your pond, but is it time to start feeding your pond fish? That depends on the temperature of your pond. Koi and goldfish should be fed only when the water temperature is above 9°C/48°F.

Why should I Feed my pond fish?

First, it is important to understand that feeding your pond fish not only contributes to a healthy life but may prevent an untimely death. Many hobbyists will group together all of the fish in their pond and treat them as the same.

Do I need to feed my pond fish?

However, if you have many fish in your pond or large specimens, feeding your fish will be necessary. Attention! Never feed too much. Take care that your fish will eat the feed distributed within a few minutes.

Why do fish ponds need fertilization?

Fertilization of a fish pond actually increases the production of beneficial phytoplankton, microscopic free-floating algae that acts as the basis of the food chain. By increasing the phytoplankton in a pond, more food items are available for smaller fish.

When to stop feeding fish in a pond?

Instead of high protein food, provide them a wheat germ food which is low in protein and easier to digest. When winter arrives and your pond’s temperature drops below 52 degrees Fahrenheit, you need to stop feeding your fish as they’ll be into hibernation now.

What happens if you don’t Feed your pond fish?

Feed that is not eaten will be additional waste in your pond and will burden biological equilibrium. Consequently there will be algal growth and turbid water. In wintertime you should stop feeding fish daily if water temperature is below 10°C is. Start feeding fish daily again at a water temperature of 10 °C or higher.

How to take care of fish in a pond?

In a pond containing few fish you need hardly feed your fish. Small fish are very well capable to gather their own feed. They eat insects and larvae which naturally live in a pond. However, if you have many fish in your pond or large specimens, feeding your fish will be necessary. Attention! Never feed too much.

Why fertilize your pond?

A fertilized pond can produce three to four times as many pounds of fish per acre each year than a non-fertilized pond. A well-managed pond will usually produce 300 to 500 pounds more fish per acre each year. With a fertilized pond, you have more fish and your fish will have more to eat; in return you have bigger fish to catch.

How to increase fish production in a pond?

Water insects and other organisms use the plankton for food. Small fish feed on these insects and organisms. When plankton production is increased with fertilizer, fish production also increases. Fertilizer can be applied to stimulate plankton growth and increase fish production in all ponds.

How do well-fertilized lakes produce more fish?

Well-fertilized lakes may produce 250 pounds or more of total fish per acre, providing many more opportunities for catching quality-size fish. How does this happen? Pond fertilizer increases the small, green, single-cell plants called phytoplankton (this is what gives your pond a green tint).

Why do fish fertilize their water?

The main purpose of fertilizing is to increase the food supply to your fish. This is done by first creating a phytoplankton bloom, which imparts a green color to the water. This green color also creates a shading effect which blocks out the sunlight and prevents unwanted vegetation from developing if none were present when the fertilizing began.

When should I stop feeding my fish in the winter?

Once the temperature drops below 52℉, stop feeding your fish since their metabolisms slow down a lot. Even on warmer days during the winter, resist the urge to feed them — any algae growing on the walls of your pond will be enough to sustain them.

When can I start feeding my fish again?

Start feeding fish daily again at a water temperature of 10 °C or higher. At lower temperatures metabolism of (cold-blooded) fish is so slow, that they hardly need any feed. In this period you should restrict the amount of feed.

What happens if you eat too much pond food?

Excess food quickly breaks down and begins to drag down water quality, raise nutrient levels (which is great for algae growth), discolor water, create odors, encourage pesky flies to hang around the pond, and create maintenance for the pond owner because this food clogs filters and pump intakes.

Can You overfeed a pond fish?

Remember, fish do not over eat, we overfeed. Overfeeding a pond will only create poor, possibly deadly, conditions for your pond fish. So with the understanding that poor feeding practice can have possibly disastrous results, let’s bullet point some feeding tips: • When feeding fish, take your time, at least several minutes.

When should I Not Feed my pond fish?

• In colder climates, do not feed your fish once water temperatures have settled around 52F, the fish will not properly metabolize/digest the food and this can lead to health issues. Proper feeding habits for your pond fish will lead to happier and healthier fish with good growth rates and nicer coloration.

What are the benefits of good feeding habits for pond fish?

Proper feeding habits for your pond fish will lead to happier and healthier fish with good growth rates and nicer coloration. Good feeding habits will also lead to a healthier nicer looking pond, cleaner water, and a lot less maintenance for the pond keeper.

What determines what type of fish will survive in a pond?

Temperature: Water temperature will determine what type of fish will survive in a pond.

How to prevent algae growth in a pond?

If you have fish in your pond, selecting a high-quality fish feed will prevent the growth of algae, as the food will be more fully digested, and your fish will produce less waste. In order to ensure your fish eat all the food they’re given, check for food floating on the surface about twenty minutes after you’re done feeding them.

Can I Keep my pond fish in my pond during winter?

For them to stay in the pond during winter it needs to be at least 2 feet deep with proper aeration. You can shut off the pumps and remove the filters as long as you use a de-icer, pond aerator, and have the pond set up properly. You can find out more along with Mary as she looks into what she needs to do to get her pond fish ready for winter.