pond temp is 48.2* . they want food...

[PapaBear]

Thanks for the correction... Should've re-read Russ's post first rather than rely on faulty memory (I think I need to defrag my personal hard drive... but I can't find the right damn button )

[KoiCop]

there's a great thread on Koishack which touches on this topic and which you might wish to review:

http://koishack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8072

Bottom line? The aerobic nitrifiers you want for your pond can not be bottled and stored on the shelf.

[aquitori]

This was one of the topics at the Toshio Sakai seminar...what did he have to say about feeding winter?

[KoiCop]

while I too would be curious to know what he said, I'm not really sure it's of vital importance to us as hobbyists.

As a breeder and a business man, his feeding practices and policies span fish of varied age, size, quality and value. Indoor, outdoor, mud, concrete, chuppa, tosai, tategoi, etc. As such, his feeding practices and policies cannot be reduced to 'one golden rule' nor can they be translated straight across the board to hobbyist ponds.

Breeders do what breeders do, dealers do what dealers do, and hobbyists do what hobbyists do. So as the fish move through the three venues the rules change -- which is as it should be.

[aquitori]

It is just interesting, to see how people feed their fish.

[koikiller]

i say dont feed them till 55

[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by koikiller i say dont feed them till 55

Really? Why? Do you have any data to back up this statement? Just curious as I have a very different philosophy which I have followed for many years with very good success?

Tony

The subject was broached at the seminar with Mr Sakai. He says feeding should be greatly reduced during winter. He also spoke about how females, if fed too early in the season, will use this food to begin to develop eggs. On the other hand, while at his shop last month, I watched him go out with a bucket of pre-moistened pellets AND FEED EVERY FRIGGIN POND REGARDLESS OF SIZE. So, who knows how often he does this but like Don says, Breeders, dealers and hobbyists have differing needs/requirements with regard to how they manage their stocks! I guess as JR put it, each pond/hobbyist have differing needs/requirements based on where they live. His basic premise is to NOT feed during the winter months under basically normal conditions (non-tropical, non ice-age).

Mike

[mynamy1]

Aquitori, is it true that Mr. Sakai discussed winter feeding in his seminar? Please, someone report what was discussing about this subject?

If I were Mr. Sakai I would sell the fake puffed "air food" for those who feed, for real Yen. A good businessman like him should capitalize on this funny male ego behavior. MA.Le

[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by mynamy1 Aquitori, is it true that Mr. Sakai discussed winter feeding in his seminar? Please, someone report what was discussing about this subject? Sorry, Aquitori wasn't at the Sakai seminar. Please read my post above. That's basically all that was said on the subject!! If I were Mr. Sakai I would sell the fake puffed "air food" for those who feed, for real Yen. A good businessman like him should capitalize on this funny male ego behavior. MA.Le

Toshio Sakai has been a breeder for over 35 years after having been raised under his father's watchful breeder's eye. I think his knowledge and integrity as a business man places him far above what you're suggesting. Maybe that's why there are not many like him!?

Mike

[aquitori]

Many people in this hobby has different ideas on how to feed. Even those who conditioned Toshio Sakai's fish to be a champion. The thing that makes us all different is the water quality. Southern Japan breeders feed year round unlike the breeders in Niigata as well as every breeder has different formulas for their feed. The correct way to feed your fish is to the temps of the pond, water quality and to also keep an eye on quality of your fish. The quality of fish in prime condition is in colder waters, that is the best time assess your fish and to see if the summer growing has done it's work.