Feeding Koi Properly Depends On The Season
The key to feeding Koi properly is that feeding Koi depends on the season. Actually, to
be more specific, feeding Koi depends on the water temperature.
If you are feeding Koi in heated ponds then they can have a regular, year-round diet. Koi
kept in heated ponds do not have to adjust to changes in water temperature.
Feeding Koi properly during the summer months encourages growth, helps in tissue
maintenance and repair as well as helping lay down fat deposits and providing nutients
that the fish can store for use during the winter months.
When water temperatures are between 64-68 degrees Fahrenheit (18-20 degrees Celcius)
feeding Koi should incorporate a high protein diet that will promote growth. Conversely,
feeding Koi in cooler temperatures involves less protein as it becomes more difficult to
digest then. Instead it is excreted into the water, which not only makes feeding Koi more
protein a bad feeding plan, but also pollutes the pond water.
You need to assess feeding Koi in the cooler months of fall and spring when Koi
appetites are subdued. During this time feeding Koi should involve a change from a high
protein feed to a wheat germ based diet that is easier to digest in the cooler temperatures.
Feeding Koi at temperatures below 46-50 degrees Fahrenheit should stop altogether. In
these water temperatures Koi won't feed at all and will rely on the nutrients that it's
already stored to get it through the winter.This is an important time and you must pay
attention because the food can turn rancid in the Kois digestive system. This can be very
harmful to the Koi and can be easily prevented by paying close attention
when the water temperature drops.
When the weather begins to warm up again and your fish begin seeking out food you can
start feeding Koi the wheat germ based diet again. Then begin feeding Koi by gradually
mixing in the higher protein summer food as the water warms up.
Amounts for feeding Koi depend on their age and body temperature. Feeding Koi fry is
different from feeding Koi adults. When water temperature is around 68 degrees
Fahrenheit Koi up to 1 year old eat 5-10% of their body weight, Koi between 1 and 3
years of age consume 5% of their body weight daily and adult Koi (3 years and older)
consume 2% of their body weight daily.
A good rule of thumb for feeding Koi is to offer as much food as they will eat within 2-3
minutes at each feeding. When feeding Koi you will notice a big surge of activity at the
beginning of each meal, then as they start to get full they will eat more slowly. This is the
point at which you should stop feeding Koi.
As far as the frequency of feeding Koi take note that at temperatures of around 68
degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celcius) feeding Koi should be planned for 2-3 times per
day. Feeding Koi in colder temperatures (50-59 degrees Fahrenheit or 10-15 degrees
Celcius) is only required once per day.

As you can see, it is extremely important to note seasons and temperatures when feeding
Koi!