Stunning in appearance, Koi fish are super creatures and extremely entertaining to own. They can be taught to recognize the people who feed them and many owners will tell you they gather around at feed times and have even been know to take food from the owners’ hands! How could anyone ever get bored of such a fantastic hobby?
Koi fish are happy to eat a variety of foods including meat and plant matter and this is known as being omnivorous. Their appetites are keen and they live in water temperatures of anything from 61 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer season, Koi fish are at their most active and they need to be fed a good quality diet by their owners. Foodstuffs received by Koi fish are provided by the owner and the environment and they will eat whatever crosses their path as long as it fits into their mouths. They regularly nibble on the foliage of plants in the pond which sometimes proves to be problematic for the pond garden owners and they also enjoy eating a variety of insects like worms and snails that don’t manage to get away from them in time. It has also been reported by some owners that their Koi have dragged themselves part of the way from the water in order to feed on grasses or on fallen acorns.
Koi will also take great enjoyment from food offered by way of a treat to them by their owners, in particular, peas, lettuce or watermelons. They do, however, need the right combinations of fats, fiber, minerals, protein and vitamins present in their diets. It is possible for owners to make sure this happens by feeding them with pellet food. The store bought pellet foods are manufactured to float on the top of the pond and this means the fish have no option but to visit the surface of the water providing the owner with the perfect opportunity to check the fish over and make sure all is well. The owner can see straight away that the fish have good appetites; they are in good health and are not injured in any way. The vivid colors of the fish are also dependent upon a healthy diet.
The digestive system of these cold water fish slows down considerably and feeding is not necessary during the colder winter months. They will tend to while away their time nibbling at all manner of algae present on the bottom of the pond but when the temperature drops to less than fifty degrees Fahrenheit food remaining in their stomachs may become rancid and cause the fish to be ill.
Due to the fact that Koi have such huge appetites, it is not necessary for owners to stress about how much food is given or the way in which they feed their fish. While, it has to be said that Koi fish need a balanced diet, feeding time tends to be fun and games for all concerned.
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