and i'm sure the local knowledge from the club members will be a big help for learning what foods to feed at what temperatures.
At present there is quite the controversy about kinds of food to feed. Some of the old timers who mimic what has been done in the past like to switch to
foods with wheat germ as the base food ingredient for lower temperatures.
While some folks feel fish meal is still ok to feed but in smaller amounts and protein percentages as the water cools.
No matter what path you end up deciding to follow, learn to be an ingredient reader on the fish package. Note the ingredients and the order listed. Some foods claim wheatgerm yet fish meal is also present.This would be no big deal
if you end up subscribing to the theory that the ingredients can remain the same but you just feed less.
The table below is approximate and is meant only to give relative understanding of food verses temperature.
Higher protein % is used for water 68 F and above (until the water gets too hot and the fish curtain their own feeding (mid 80's)
Mid % is for below 68 to just below 60 F.
lower percentage and wheatgerm is for 59-50.
Most folks who have learned their lessons try and provide a time for koi to
not be fed to "experience winter". This allows the females, aged 3 and above to reabsorb their eggs during a period of fast. Koi that are grown too fast
in summer or left in heated ponds can easily outgrow color which is also a concern.
I hope my rambling helps a little bit in understanding. I think finding a mentor in a club close to you and following their advice is the right thing to do.
10-19-2007
Quote: 
Thanks Dick 
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