Delivery to mainland UK only · Free delivery on orders over £45
Koi are generally very hungry, very aggressive fish. They have got one thing on their mind. Food.
Choosing the appropriate koi food requires a thoughtful approach and a clear idea of what you want out of your fish and the pond. Consider your financial constraints, but also keep in mind what it is you define as “quality food”, because this is a huge part of your koi’s unique dietary requirements.
If you’re buying expensive fish, you don’t want to be feeding them Cheerios, but some people do just that. Hard to believe!
We have foods that are made in Europe and we have foods made in Japan that are shipped over. Food quality in koi carp communities is a debate that has raged for years, especially among those that show the fish competitively.
It’s a point of pride among those wanting to win awards. I can think of several very high-end koi food manufacturers, two of which are Japanese, and another that has their food made in Holland, and then there are all the different brands below those that are generally cheaper.
So, while high-quality koi food is desirable for the best health and growth, it’s a good idea to strike a balance between cost and your fish’s nutrition.
Of course, we do have koi foods to suit all budgets from the general hobbyist to the serious hobbyist, so think about where you fit in to that spectrum.
I’ve been involved with koi ponds since the early 1990s, and at Mujimono Koi, we understand the importance of selecting food manufacturers who also understand the importance of choosing the right ingredients for their products.
As a koi pond owner, your koi fish represent living jewels. Their health, colour vibrancy, and the quality of your pond water are all factors that depend on a finely-balanced ecosystem. Just as with humans, the diet of your koi plays a crucial role in their overall well-being.
It also contributes to maintaining excellent water quality in your pond. I’ll give you some good reasons why quality koi food matters:
High-grade koi food contains vital nutrients, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals essential for koi health and growth.
Quality food promotes significant growth in your koi and enhances their natural colours, making them more vibrant and visually appealing.
Premium koi food is more palatable, leading to enthusiastic feedings and tamer koi behaviour, enriching your pond’s aesthetics and interaction.
Growing large koi requires a combination of quality food, strategic feeding times, and optimal water conditions:
Choose food with higher feed efficiency to maximize nutrient conversion into fish meat. High-quality food ensures better growth ratios and reduces the need for excessive feeding.
Feed koi often during their most active periods, typically in warmer temperatures (above 18°C during summer months), to make the most of their increased metabolism.
Some people feed the same food throughout the year and get away with it. But the more serious hobbyist will alter/adjust the type of foods that they use throughout the seasons. We generally lower the temperatures for approximately three months a year, usually winter and spring, to give the fish a rest.
You can use timed feeders for a consistent daily feeding schedule to achieve maximum consumption rates without polluting your pond. That’s good, but there’s more to this.
I actually suggest a combination of manual and automated feeding, but I do accept that because of our lifestyles, we cannot feed our fish all the time. Everyone is busy.
The automated system makes sure that your fish gets fed when you’re not around to do it, but it’s advisable to hand-feed your fish at least once a day, not just to make sure they get to eat, but to monitor your fish.
By the way, Japanese koi keepers tend to rest the fish for three months and by doing that, they become very pretty thin – which you’d expect – but it sets them up for a good growing year in the subsequent months.
Selecting between floating and sinking food depends on your preferences, pond setup, and feeding strategies. Both types offer unique advantages tailored to different koi-keeping needs.
Mixing different types of koi food to create a custom blend can be a cost-effective solution. For example, blending regular food with colour-enhancing food in controlled ratios can promote growth and vibrant colours without breaking the bank.
If you have a heated pond, you have more control over water temperature, allowing you to adjust feeding strategies accordingly, such as incorporating colour food when temperatures are optimal for colour enhancement.
In the UK, the feeding regimen changes because of the climate and the temperature.
There’s several ways koi keepers approach this. Some people drop the water temperature to a level where the water volume is still being turned over, and yet there no food would be going in the pond, and the fish therefore, enter a state of semi-hibernation. When spring comes around and the water temperatures are raised, then they start to feed.
Consider consulting with experienced koi keepers or professionals for personalised feeding recommendations based on your koi’s specific needs. As pointed out at the beginning of this guide, your budget and your level of dedication to this hobby determines what you should spend on your fish. At a basic level, we all want our fish to be healthy and happy.
You can take a look at the categories of food below that Mujimono Koi stock, or, if you have questions, you’re welcome to get in touch and ask for advice.
More categories: Treats | Pro Line | JPD | Takazumi | Aqua Source | FD
Showing 49–49 of 49 results
Variety mix of high protein treats for all pond fish.
Evolution Aqua’s Pond Treats Variety Mix are natural, high protein treats to supplement the diet of all pond fish. These high protein treats are Silkworm, Mealworm, Gammarus, and Shrimp. These treats can be fed to your fish along with their regular food.
