koi food brand comparison?

[KoiCop]

Scotty . . .

Never noticed an oil slick with Hikari before -- and have been feeding it as our regular food for 4 years. But then it's always wheat germ, so maybe that's a factor?

Has anyone else noticed this?

[B.Scott]

That you use the wheatgrem may well be a factor. I was using the "breeders choice" I believe it was called. This was the growth formula. That was a few years back when it first came on the market. I have heard the same comment form others who tried/use it as well.

The only time I ever used it since was in the summer during vacation when I wasn't at home as i can't put the deep-freeze pellets into the auto feeder anymore than a day in advance. Now my favorite foor maker do a dry pellet this will change things.

B.Scott

[s2chang]

Koicop, yes I notice the oil film on the water surface when using either types of Saki Hikari. The skimmer action would take care of this minor problem though. One uncertain thing about Saki is its value or lack of it.

B.Scott, is this Frost-Bites from EA? I really like the semi, pre-digested WHOLE food concept. BTW, how is the cost or retail cost in Europe? stevec

[B.Scott]

No Steve, not from EA though they did try to get the guy who makes it onboard. He decided to go it alone instead I think the difference between the dried pellets that frost-bites and hikari make is the way the oil is applied. Though both add oil after manufacture due to the fact that additional oil in the mix before extrusion causes the mashines to clog, the Hikari oil is just sprayed onto the surface of the pellet while the Frost-bites dried pellets have the oil applied under vaccum which causes the oils to be sucked down into the pellet.
Never knew making a bit of koi food could be so complicated!

It's not cheap Steve,but the best never is. A 3 kilo bag costs about 47 euros but it's more than worth the cost!

B.Scott

[dick benbow]

I really enjoyed my several hrs with the head of Daiinichi foods this weekend.
We met at a sponsored koi show in Washington state where I was speaking.
Darious, was very knowledgeable and i was very impressed. Was fun also talking about the differences of pellet sizes and ingredients list between their asian, european and american markets. They have a new Breeders version that i need to look into trying. He also took time to discribe at length his all season's and what went into it and why. I need to relook at this manufacturer as i have been convinced that they sincerely strive toward a quality product.

(germany for example, they can't keep up with request for large pellet, yet everywhere else med and small is what is requested. I thought quite interesting )

[B.Scott]

LOL It's like a bom of beer at Oktoberfest. The Germans like their food and drink BIG!

B.Scott

[Eugeneg]

(germany for example, they can't keep up with request for large pellet, yet everywhere else med and small is what is requested. I thought quite interesting )[/quote]

There is a very good reason for not feeding large pellets and that is that they take longer to break down as they being digested . It is best to soak all pellets before feeding especially the wheat germ ones . In the spring and fall I use some frozen orange juice with hot water . It is not as easy if someone feeds your fish during vacations or if you use an auto feeder
Regards
Eugene

[MikeM]

Interesting about pellet sizes. ... I generally feed large pellets with some medium sized mixed in. Some of the smallest koi head for the large pellets first. I used to think that smaller pellets would be better, but now I don't think it matters ...as long as not too big to swallow, of course. All the floating pellets I've used become soft very quickly when in the water. It is normal for koi in mudponds to eat snails, crayfish, beetles and such, smashing the shells as they swallow them whole. Pellets are easy eating.

[Eugeneg]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM Interesting about pellet sizes. ... I generally feed large pellets with some medium sized mixed in. Some of the smallest koi head for the large pellets first. I used to think that smaller pellets would be better, but now I don't think it matters ...as long as not too big to swallow, of course. All the floating pellets I've used become soft very quickly when in the water. It is normal for koi in mudponds to eat snails, crayfish, beetles and such, smashing the shells as they swallow them whole. Pellets are easy eating.

Mike
My fish swallow dry pellets the moment they hit the water . When I received a shipment from Toshio Sakai there was a note ; Do not feed for 2 days then start by soaking pellets till they become a mush and fall apart when hitting the water . Some koi pellets especially the high protein are quite soft but all wheat germ are hard my fish simply do not wait for them to soften . During the summer I give them dry pellets as I am away a lot . During colder spells I soak in hot water and add a table spoon of frozen Florida orange juice .
Regards
Eugene

[dick benbow]

toshio sakai heh? did you get gosanke or something else from the master?