When feeding your pond-dwellers, there are three main aspects you need to consider for proper nutrition. These are: Feeding your fish the appropriate foods, feeding them the proper amounts, and feeding them food that’s best for the season.

Determining what and how often to feed your fish depends primarily on water temperature. In warmer water (60-85 degrees) the metabolism of the fish is high and they can be fed 2-4 times per day. At this time you should be feeding a food with a high protein level such as Kenny’s Vibrant Vittles, which contains 35% premium protein. As water temperatures begin to rise in the spring, koi will become more active and require higher amounts of protein. However, during spring and summer, younger koi have a higher protein requirement than adults. Our premium koi food is 100% guaranteed to be nutritionally balanced. 

In spring and fall when your water temperatures fall to 50-60 degrees, you should reduce feeding to once every 1-2 days and feed your koi a low-protein food such as Kenny’s Chillin’ Chow, which contains 28% protein. 

Hot Times in the Summer

If the water rises to 90 degrees or above, you should stop feeding. On hot days, the fish may become active and "beg" for food. Don't be fooled. It’s important to stay strong and do not feed them. If the fish do need a little food, they will find enough growing in the pond. The algae that coats the pond liner is all they should need.

Winter Woes

America’s Best Koi Food has feed for every season. It is important for you to measure the temperature of the water in your pond. Once the water temperature drops to less than 50º F, the koi will become less active and their appetite decreases as metabolism slows down; they will not be able to process the high protein in their food. However, many koi owners let the fish be their guide, and offer food if they appear active and hungry. If koi appear hungry, Kenny’s Chillin’ Chow may be offered for approximately 2 minutes once or twice a week.

If water temperature hovers at 50º F, Kenny’s Chillin’ Chow may be offered for approximately 2 minutes once or twice a week. Keep in mind, the protein requirements are the same for all ages of koi during the winter feeding months. 

Timing for Feeding Fish

Whether you choose to feed three times a day or three times a week, you need to make sure you feed only what your fish will consume in five minutes. A little experimenting can teach you how much to feed. If, five minutes after feeding, there is still uneaten food you know to not feed that much next time.

The main step you can take to ensure you keep a pond full of healthy, beautiful koi is to feed them the best koi fish food. Order economical koi food from America’s Best Koi Food today and give your fish the right diet to help them thrive.