Feeding Koi the Right Way Matters

Koi are hardy fish, but their digestive system and metabolism change dramatically with the seasons. Feeding koi correctly keeps them healthy, improves their color, supports proper growth, and protects water quality in your pond.

Feeding koi incorrectly can lead to cloudy water, excess waste, algae blooms, ammonia spikes, or even health problems for the fish.

This guide explains exactly what to feed, how much to feed, and when to feed koi throughout the year.

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Understand Koi Metabolism

Koi are cold-blooded, which means their body temperature matches the water temperature. As the water cools, their metabolism slows — and as it warms, their metabolism speeds up.

This is the foundation of all koi feeding rules.

Rule of thumb:

• Warm water = more feeding

• Cold water = less feeding

• Very cold water = no feeding

Feeding during the wrong temperature range can harm your koi.

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Follow the Seasonal Feeding Chart

What you feed and how often you feed depends entirely on your pond’s temperature. Use a pond thermometer — guessing is not accurate enough for koi health.

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🌷 Spring (50–60°F)

Koi are waking up from winter, and their digestive systems are still slow.

What to feed:

• Easily digestible foods

• Wheat germ-based koi food, like Aquascape Cold Water Fish Food Pellets

• Low-protein formulas

How often:

• Feed 2–3 times per week

• Only what they can eat in 3-5 minutes

Important:

Do NOT switch to high-protein or color-enhancing foods yet — koi cannot digest them at this temperature.

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☀️ Summer (65–80°F) — Peak Feeding Season

This is when koi grow the most and metabolize food quickly.

What to feed:

• Mock High-Protein Fish Food Pellets

• Color-enhancing foods (spirulina, krill)

• Treats in moderation (earthworms, peas, watermelon)

How often:

• Once per day

• Only what they can consume in 5 minutes

Notes:

• Overfeeding leads to cloudy water, algae problems, and ammonia spikes.

• Skip feeding on days when the water is extremely warm (over 85°F). Koi use more oxygen to digest food, and hot water holds less oxygen.

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🍁 Fall (60–50°F and dropping)

Your koi are preparing for winter, but their metabolism is slowing again.

What to feed:

• Wheat germ-based foods, like Aquascape Cold Water Fish Food Pellets

• Easily digestible, low-protein pellets

How often:

• Feed once per day

• Gradually reduce frequency as temperatures drop

Critical temperature:

At 50°F, stop feeding completely.

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❄️ Winter (Below 50°F)

Once your pond reaches 50°F or below, koi can no longer digest food properly.

Feeding rule:

❌ Do NOT feed koi at all below 50°F.

Their digestive system shuts down in cold water, and food can rot in their stomach — which can be fatal.

They will survive all winter on fat reserves and the natural biology of the pond.

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Feed the Right Amount

Overfeeding is the #1 cause of pond issues.

Correct feeding amount:

• Only feed what koi eat in 2–5 minutes

• If they leave food behind → you fed too much

• Remove uneaten food immediately

Signs you’re overfeeding:

• Murky or foamy water

• String algae growth

• High ammonia

• Fish suddenly gasping at the surface

• Filter clogging quickly

Feeding less is always safer than feeding more.

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Step 4: Choose High-Quality Koi Food

Good koi food:

• Floats (helps prevent overeating)

• Includes fish meal, krill, spirulina

• Contains vitamins for immune support

Avoid:

• Cheap cereal-based foods

• Foods with corn as the main ingredient

• Brands with lots of fillers

Low-quality food = low-quality colors, poor growth, and more waste.

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Feed Koi the Right Way

Follow these tips for healthier koi:

✔ Feed in the same spot every day

Koi learn routines and become easier to observe.

✔ Watch their behavior

Lethargy or disinterest may signal health or water-quality problems.

✔ Never feed when:

• Water is below 50°F

• You’re treating the pond with medications

• Oxygen is low

• Ammonia or nitrite is present

Feeding during poor water conditions makes everything worse.

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Add Beneficial Bacteria to Support Water Quality

Koi food ➜ fish waste ➜ ammonia production.

Weekly use of beneficial bacteria (such as Mock 4-in-1 Formula) helps:

• Break down waste

• Reduce ammonia

• Prevent cloudy water

• Support a healthy nitrogen cycle

• Keep the pond ecosystem balanced

Feeding koi properly AND supporting bacteria creates a stable, healthy pond.

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Common Koi Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

• Feeding below 50°F

• Feeding too much at once

• Feeding poor-quality food

• Feeding every time fish swim toward you

Small mistakes can lead to major pond or fish issues.

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Feed Koi Correctly for Health and Clear Water

Koi feeding isn’t complicated — it just requires attention to water temperature, food quality, and portion control. Feeding koi the right way keeps your fish healthier, improves growth and color, and helps maintain clean, clear pond water.

For help choosing the right koi food or maintaining your pond, visit Mock Pools & Ponds. We proudly serve pond owners in Canton, Akron, and Northeast Ohio with expert advice, top-quality food, and all the supplies you need to keep your koi thriving.

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