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Luke brings up a topic that is going to vary among koikeepers, climates, etc., and often is ignored: The extent to which the koi have food other than what the koikeeper gives them. In the northern U.S. I expect there is not as much as in warmer climates. In my old pond algae growth provided all-day grazing between meals. I had not thought it added all that much to the diet, but HenryC had the experience of a tosai being added to his pond at the time he imposed a January fast. It grew considerably in one month just on algae grazing. Within the algae filaments less than an inch long, I have found insect larvae of several types with bloodworms very notable during most of the year. Then, as Luke mentions, there are the frog eggs, tadpoles and the like that happen along from time to time. I've found the shells of garden snails from time to time, sometimes with crushed ends.
I am not suggesting that such natural foods are sufficient.... just that we may not always recognize what is occuring before our eyes. What works for one koikeeper may not work for another, and the reason may be ignored because it is too common to be noticed.
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