Feeding Question

[d_mer]

Im sure this question has been asked before, but Ive been hearing about people feeding their KOI fresh veggies. My question is... How often and what age would you recommend feeding KOI veggies? And what veggies would be recommend feeding to them? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Lam Nguyen]

Hi d_mer, I know of people who feed their koi lettuce. I myself feed my koi oranges and watermelon about twice a week now. I just slice up the oranges or watermelon and throw them in. When I first started they didn't know what to do with the fruits. Now they just love it and actually tear up the fruits pretty good! Hope this helps!

[gcuss]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lam Nguyen Hi d_mer, I know of people who feed their koi lettuce. I myself feed my koi oranges and watermelon about twice a week now. I just slice up the oranges or watermelon and throw them in. When I first started they didn't know what to do with the fruits. Now they just love it and actually tear up the fruits pretty good! Hope this helps!

My koi LOVE orange slices. I just cross section the orange and toss it in so the peel is intact all around. Tougher for them to get the orange, but I figure it's not like they have a job to get to, they have the time to work at it. (plus, with my fish inside right now, the slurping and sucking noises make me smile as I putter around.

I've also heard that they love zucchini slices, but mine didn't seem interested. I'll have to try the watermelon. Do you take the seeds out first?

Grant

[Flounder]

Mine loves watermelon, just cut it like you do the oranges, gcuss.

Don't worry about the seeds they'll spit it out of the pond.

[111whalen]

Those are all good choices of veggies. Several people also like Yams and I use tomatoes. A related point here is keep an eye on your filter. It's much more work for the filter with the physical debris created by fresh food. At lower temps especially. good luck!

[KoiCop]

Baked sweet potatoes and yams are a staple addition here to pellets during summer.

[gcuss]

Ok, this maybe the ridiculous question of the day BUT!!

If you feed a lot of oranges and tomatoes, can the acids bugger with your Ph levels?

Grant

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by gcuss Ok, this maybe the ridiculous question of the day BUT!! If you feed a lot of oranges and tomatoes, can the acids bugger with your Ph levels? Grant

No, they won't.

[lypope]

I also feed most of the foods mentioned above: sweet potatoes, watermelon and oranges. In addition, because I grow blueberries, I toss in a handful of blueberries when I'm picking them - some of the koi love them, some don't care - but I figure that the anti-oxidents can't hurt and may help. Oh, and earthworms when I'm gardening....they love those and watching them slurp them up like spaghetti makes me laugh out loud.

[Lee]

Dear fellow hobbyist,

An omnivore is a species which eats plants and animals. They are opportunistic animals, specifically adapted to eat and digest meat or plants.

Pigs are another well-known omnivore. And, I can attest that anyone who has viewed a pond of hungry koi knows full well that there are no more piggish consumers of food than a pond of hungry koi.

My koi will eat whatever they are fed. However, I would not purposly feed my own koi too significant an amount of lettuce as I believe lettuce has a limited food value.

My own fish are particularly fond of bananas, shrimp, cooked rice, spinach and most every variety of citrus fruits. In Japan I have seen breeders feed cooked sweet potato.

And, on those few infrequent days when one of my pups won't finish a meal I will also feed them whatever the dogs have choosen not to eat...

As so often recognised by others on this board, who have had more experienced than myself, I believe koi are true pond pigs.

Thus, my new friend the more important answer for you to know the answer to...is knowing how much is the correct amount to feed your fish. And, how often. And, when?

Your determining these answers is key to your having healthy fish and a healthy filter system.

All the best,

Lee
Grand Cayman