Everything you need to know about feeding koi carp: advice, tips and recommendations

Feeding koi carp is a crucial issue for all aquarium enthusiasts. These robust omnivorous fish, which can live up to 35 years, require a suitable diet throughout the year to ensure their health, growth and the quality of the water in their pond (see our article dedicated to Koi carp). ponds for koi carp). I'm going to explain everything to you, with a bit of humour and anecdotes from my job as a pet shop floor manager.

Adapting food to the seasons

Koi carp feeding needs to change with the seasons and water temperature. Here's a guide to help you decide what to feed your carp according to temperature variations:

• Below 8°C : do not feed koi carp. Their digestive system slows down considerably or even stops working. Undigested food can pollute the water.
• Between 8°C and 10°C : Start offering them wheat germs. These foods are easy to digest, even when digestion is slow.
• From 12°C to 15°C : opt for a diet containing plant fibresvitamin complexes and natural pigments. Trust me, it will keep their colours vibrant.
• Above 27°C : It's best to avoid feeding your koi carp as their digestive system is less efficient. A little summer siesta won't do them any harm!

To help you find your way around, here is a summary table:

Water temperature	Type of food
Below 8°C	Do not feed
8-10°C	Wheat germs
12-15°C	Foods with vegetable fibre, vitamins and pigments
Above 27°C	Do not feed

How should fish be fed?

Feeding your koi carp correctly is essential for their well-being. Here are a few golden rules to follow:

It is better to feed carp several times a day in small quantities rather than just once in large quantities. This prevents water pollution from uneaten food and maintains a better balance in the pond.

Young carp eat proportionally more than adults, around 5 to 10% of their weight compared with 1.5 to 2% for fish over 3 years old. It is also important to feed your koi carp at the same times and in the same place. They soon get used to this routineAnd believe me, they'll be delighted.

When you have to go away, you have two options: ask someone close to you to feed your carp or use an automatic food dispenser. Once, I asked my grandmother to do it... but she gave them lots of little biscuits! Fortunately, nothing serious happened, but now I prefer vending machines.

What do carp eat?

Koi carp are omnivores, so they enjoy a variety of foods. Here's an overview of what you can feed them:

Animal feed

Your Koi carp love animal proteins, especially shrimps, bloodworms and earthworms. Feed them these supplements especially during the warmer months, from spring to autumn, when their activity and appetite are at their peak.

Plant food

To vary their diet, plant foods such as lettuce leaves, watercress, garlic and kiwi are excellent. This plant-based mix enriches their diet and promotes balanced growth.

Foods to avoid

Certain foods are dangerous for your koi. Cheese, meat, biscuits, beans, peas and maize should be avoided at all costs. A customer once tried to feed cheese to his carp... and the result was a disaster!

Granules

Pellets are a solid base for feeding your koi carp. It is essential to choose the right size of pellets for the age and size of the fish:

• 1-2 mm : for carp between 6 months and 2 years old
• 2-3 mm : for carp aged 2 to 3 years
• 3-6 mm : for fish aged 3 to 5 years
• 6-10 mm : for carp over 5 years old

Here is a summary in table form:

Age of koi carp	Granule size
6 months to 2 years	1-2 mm
2 to 3 years	2-3 mm
3 to 5 years	3-6 mm
More than 5 years	6-10 mm

Young carp are very greedy and consume a large percentage of their weight in food, whereas adults are more measured. Use these pellet sizes to optimise their diet and promote efficient digestion.

Koi carp food and pollution

The quality of your koi carp's food has a direct impact on water pollution. Poor quality food decomposes quickly, producing waste that pollutes the water. Choose foods that contain essential nutrients to minimise this pollution.

Always look at the nutritional labels on food to check that it provides the right balance of proteins, vitamins and pigments. Take a look at these elements before you buy to avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure healthy growth for your fish.

By using quality feed, you increase the chances of preserving water quality and limiting waste. This is essential for maintaining a balanced ecosystem in your pond.

Playing an active role in the selection of food for your koi carp is the best guarantee of their well-being and longevity. Believe me, as a great animal lover, taking care of these little details is what makes all the difference. So don't wait any longer and give your carp the best possible diet!