#this is like throwing food pellets at the koi in the fish pond but instead of going batshit over it in a feeding frenzy they just.

[fooligandan]

the actual problem is probably some underbaked AI that MIGHT not be able to handle swimming-based pathfinding too well but these magikarp are struggling to find the food i’m throwing at them. I know the lore is that they arent very “smart” pokemon but they are just kind of looking at me like 0v0 as i throw beans at them

[thecoroutfitters]

What would you say if I told you that the average suburban homeowner/renter can grow enough fish in the backyard to meet the protein needs of their family? Fish is one of the most nutritious forms of protein, assuming you raise the right fish under the right circumstances so today we’re going to talk about how to grow fish in tanks for food.

It takes much less space and resources to raise fish than it does to raise other farm animals such as cattle, so this is great for folks who don’t have the time or space to raise livestock. Growing fish in tanks is a great way to diversify your dietary choices and work toward food independence.

Discover the golden days’ practice for getting all you can eat food without buying from the supermarket!

So Where do I Start?

Knowing where to start seems to be the most intimidating part of any project, but the answer is always the same: you start at the beginning. Start reading about fish that do well in your area. Learn how quickly they grow and how much food they require; ideally, you want one that grows fast and requires little food. Also it’s a good idea to grow fish that are resistant to disease and parasites.

Study aquaponics because it’s a great way to develop an ecosystem that provides a diverse array of foods.

Study your climate. Fish don’t particularly like to be frozen, so if you live in an area that freezes, you’re going to have to take that into consideration. Also, study the nutrition of the fish that do well in your climate and research the growth requirements for the most nutritious.

How much space do you have? How much money do you want to invest and how many of the supplies can you build or get at a decent price from local sources? As a person seeking food independence, you’ve likely already learned many great ways to score materials for free, so take advantage of that.

You can’t just buy some random fish, throw them in the pool, and call it good. Just like every other undertaking, you’re going to have to do your homework. There is no exact guidebook because everybody’s circumstances are different, but over the next several paragraphs, you’ll have some great ideas and a better feel for where to start.

What Fish are Best to Grow?

There are several fish that are particularly well-suited for indoor aquaculture, which is definitely an option. Personally, I wouldn’t want to do this in the house large-scale because of the smell, but if you have space and are only growing enough to feed a couple of people once or twice a week, it’s certainly feasible in a relatively small indoor tank.

You could also use a greenhouse if you want to have your tanks outside but live in a climate that gets moderately cold in the winter. Here are some common fish that do well in a farm environment:

Tilapia

Trout (cold water)

Catfish

Bass (be careful – they eat smaller fish)

Carp

Koi

Salmon (cold water, and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids)

Perch (cold water)

Where are You Growing Them?

Are you growing them indoors or outdoors? In tanks or in ponds? If you’re doing it in tanks, then you need to consider how many fish you can grow per tank, and how big your tanks need to be in order to support the growth of your fish.

I strongly urge you to consider aquaponics because you’re getting twice the bang for your buck, or more. You’re getting the fish, and you’re also getting produce. It’s a practical utilization of space and resources and it’s a leap toward food independence instead of a step.

Cage Culture

Ponds are great if you live in the country because you can dig them deep and the fish will grow in a more natural, less labor-intensive environment. You can use the cage culture method and can probably get it ready to go for less than a hundred bucks if you already have the pond.

You build a cage from plastic pipe and rigid netting, then put it in a pond, lake, or stream, then stock it with fingerlings and feed them until you can eat them.

Flow-Through 

This method is similar to cage culture but instead of using a still body of water, you use a stream so that the water flows through it. You can grow a lot of fish in a little bit of water this way. The flowing water is always oxygenated and you don’t have to worry about cleaning the tank.

Note: Check local regulations to make sure that it’s legal to do either of the above, because it’s not in some places.

Greenhouse Aquaponics 

This is the most complicated method because it involves using plants to maintain high water quality for the fish. The water is flushed through plants so that it’s re-oxygenated and the waste is filtered out of it. It’s also the most expensive to get started, but you get that cost back quickly in the form of food savings.

You’ll need tanks, a water pump and aerator, and, of course, water, fish, and plants. You can set the system up in a greenhouse or your garage, though it’s good to have sunlight.

You can grow some aquatic plants to help with the filtering and you can also build a filter using a 5-gallon bucket, so lava rocks, and a pump.

Home Recirculating 

This is by far the easiest, and can be successfully done by anybody that can get an above-ground pool (size depends on your goals) and a water hose. The pools are durable and cost anywhere from $300-$1000 new (but who buys new, right?). You’ll likely need to replace the vinyl liner every few years, but that’s it.

If you want to grow more than 100 pounds of fish in a single season, a 12’x3’ pool will work as long as it’s temperature-controlled, oxygenated, and filtered. (If not, it will only grow 10-15 pounds, even with aeration). It will hold around 2000 gallons of water, even when you leave 8 inches or so at the top.

All of the species above grow well in a home recirculating system, but grow best at temperatures over 80 degrees. If you live in a climate that actually has a winter, your pool won’t reach that so you’ll need a solar dome. It’s like a giant shower cap for the pool and will keep the water warm enough to make this work.

A drum clarifier is probably the easiest way to filter all of the organic gunk from the water. You can set it up just using siphons, or you can use an air pump. The goal is to make the water flow from the pool through two 55-gallon drums that are filled with orchard netting to catch the waste. Then it flows back to the pool.

A bio-filter will remove the toxic ammonia from the water, and you need that to happen. You can make it from a piece of PVC pipe and some other items, or you can buy one. I recommend making it.

Always make sure that you have a back-up power supply because it won’t take long for the oxygen to leave the water, especially if you have several fish in there.

Now it’s time to stock your pool err … water garden with the fish that you’ve chosen from above. Non-meat-eater fish require less feed – 1 pound of pellets grows one pound of fish. The meat-eater fish will require up to 5 pounds of food to produce 1 pound of fish.

If you live in a climate that gets cold, it’s best to plan your growing season around winter in order to optimize your system. Tilapia is great for Florida and other warm climes because they really are a warm-water fish.

Once your fish are grown and you’re ready to eat, all you have to do is pull one out, clean it, and pop those delicious filets right in the pan. It doesn’t get any fresher than that!

There’s no way that I could have summed up every step from beginning to end, but I hope that this was enough information to get you started. If you have information on growing fish for food, please share it with us in the comments section below. We all benefit from shared info!

This article has been written by Theresa Crouse for Survivopedia.

from Survivopedia Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies? #SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

[waterworldcraze]

Are Koi Fish Smart? 3 Tricks You Can Teach Your Koi

We’ve all heard that pet fish aren’t smart and only have 3-second memories, but did you know that that’s not true? For one, koi fish really break out of this mold.

Are Koi Fish Smart? Koi fish are indeed very smart and inquisitive, and can even be taught tricks, including eating out of your hand. Koi has been shown to be loyal to their owners, have personalities of their own and have intelligence.

In the article “Fish Can Be Smarter Than Primates”, Johnathan Balcombe even notes a large number of studies that have been done — not to mention behavior seen in nature that show just how intelligent different fish species are!

Because Koi are such intelligent creatures, it’s important to interact with them and not just leave them alone in their pond to act as a design feature to your home. The first and easiest way to bond with your Koi fish is to be the one that feeds them.

Through feeding them and spending time with them you’ll soon come to know their differing personalities and how that influences the way in which they interact with you.

Once your Koi have acclimatized to their new home after you bring them home, you can really start interacting with them and training them to come to you and to eat out of your hand.

(Remember that it can take a few weeks for your Koi to completely get used to their new pond and their new surroundings.)

1. How Do I Teach My Koi To Swim To Me?

The first step to taming your Koi is to teach them behaviors that will lead to more interaction with them. The first of these is to feed them using the same routine every day and from the same spot next to the pond each time.

Instead of standing next to the pond and giving them all the food at once, crouch next to the pond — so you don’t throw such a large shadow and frighten them away — and give them only a little food at a time.

When giving them the food, drop it into the water close to where you are crouching. You may see that the most extroverted and inquisitive of the Koi swim towards the food. The shy ones may linger a while longer.

If you find that they are all still too skittish to come to you after about 10 minutes, rather leave them to eat and then repeat this the next time you feed them.

Some owners say that it took a few months for the Koi to trust them enough to swim up to them when it’s feeding time, so don’t rush it if you see that they don’t respond to you after a few days’ feeding.

Although some owners say that you should stop feeding your Koi for a few days and then feed them again — basically forcing them to respond to you out of sheer hunger — we do not agree.

There is no reason to put your Koi through something like this. Just as with other pets, trust takes time and needs to be earned.

One of the behaviors of Koi that really show that they trust you is eating out of your hand.

When you begin to teach your fish to eat from your hand, you need to have your koi trusting you. If your fish are all still too scared or shy to come to you, keep on teaching them this first.

2. How Do I Teach My Koi Fish To Eat Out Of My Hand?

Once your Koi are used to you and trust you, you can start to teach them how to (literally) eat out of your hand in a few, simple steps.

Keep feeding them from the same spot

When first setting out to teach them to eat from your hand, keep on feeding your koi from the same spot you’ve always have. This will ensure that they still associate the spot with food and feeding (maybe even a treat or two!).

You should also keep the same feeding routine. This will not only put your Koi at ease, but they will also know that it’s time to eat.

Don’t feed them more than usual

Koi love eating and will keep on eating when they are offered food. It’s therefore very important to only feed them the amount of food that they usually eat and not to get carried away and overfeeding them by accident.

Use slow, fluid movements, not jerky ones

Once you start to feed them, use slow and fluid movements, bringing your hand closer to the water each time that you feed them.

You’ll see that, because you’re not moving quickly and immediately putting your hand in the water, your Koi won’t be stressed or scared. Rather, they will get used to your movements and, once you put your hand in the water, they won’t be spooked.

Offer pellets or treats between your thumb and forefinger

Instead of simply putting food in your palm and offering it, first, use a pellet or small treat and hold it out for the koi between your thumb and forefinger. You’ll see that there’s usually one Koi braver than the others that will come up to you and take the treat.

Keep on doing this, making sure that you don’t just feed one of your Koi the whole time. You may see that some of the Koi still don’t want to come to you and this is okay. Give each fish the time they need to get used to you and the idea of eating out of your hand.

Be sure to only feed them Koi-friendly treats, however. These include oranges, grapefruit (but don’t feed citrus more than once a week), watermelon, shrimp, crayfish, worms.

You shouldn’t feed them peas, cereal (yes, the breakfast kind), bread — especially white bread or anything that you’ve caught yourself.

Offer pellets or a treat in your hand

Once your Koi is used to the idea of taking the pellet from between your fingers, you can start holding pellets out on your open hand.

At first, just half-submerge your hand beneath the water, letting the pellets float on and around it. Soon the brave Koi will come closer to feed.

Once they are used to eating out of your open hand, you can start putting pellets or treats in your cupped hand. Again, submerge your hand about halfway into the water and be patient. It may take a few minutes, but soon the braver fish will start to literally eat out of your hand.

And repeat!

Now all you need to do is to keep feeding them in this way up. Soon enough your shy Koi will also start to feed like this quite happily.

Eating out of your hand is definitely not the only thing these smart fish can do! Another trick you might like to teach your Koi once they have learned to eat out of your hand, is how to jump.

3. How To Teach Your Koi To Jump

Once you’re feeding your Koi from your hand every day, you can start to teach them how to swim to the surface.

Submerge your fingertips into the water while holding a pellet or little snack.

Once you have one’s attention who tries to take the food, don’t release the food immediately, but slowly move your hand towards the surface. This will get them slowly used to coming closer and closer to the surface and getting a treat in return for their behavior.

Hold the piece of food a little above the water — Once your Koi is used to coming to the surface start to hold the food just above the surface of the water. To get to the food, your Koi will have to “jump”.

If you see that the Koi won’t jump, try holding the food a bit closer and then pull your fingers slightly away to coax them into going higher.

Your Koi may not all perform this trick, as the more timid and shy ones will either not do it at all, or take some more time to learn the trick.

With some practice, you will find that they can jump a bit higher as well!

All of these tricks need time and patience, so don’t give up too soon!

Now all that is left is showing off just how smart your Koi are by showing friends and family these tricks!

[waterworldcraze]

Can Koi Fish Eat Cheerios?

When a fish will eat anything what is the best food to feed them?

Can koi fish eat cheerios? Yes, koi fish can eat cheerios, they love them. However, the cereal shouldn’t be a staple of their diet. Due to their fluctuating eating patterns, owners need to be precise when feeding koi cheerios.

Cheerios are a great snack, but they are not nutritionally efficient. Other treats such as fruit and vegetables are better for your koi. Using these nature-based treats provide plenty of vitamins and minerals to make up for the meal they are missing when you are feeding your koi a snack.

Read further to discover other types of human food they like, when to feed your koi these types of food, and the right kind of food to feed your koi.

Why cheerios?

Looking up what koi fish can eat you might wonder why so many people are talking about cheerios. Why? Back in the day, koi owners would exclusively feed their fish cheerios.

While it wasn’t detrimental to their health we now have better and more widely available food that is specifically for koi fish.

It’s not that cheerios are terrible for koi, they are made of whole grains, low in sugar and have plenty of vitamins and nutrients. But cheerios are not specialized for the koi’s diet and will not provide them with the correct balance of nutrients throughout the year.

Also, processing and manufacturing foods have changed in the past few decades and the cheerios that we eat might not be the same as the ones your grandparents used for their koi fish.

Food like these should be given in moderation if you want something else to give your koi as a treat. Some people don’t feed their koi cheerios at all, while others use them as a treat.

If you feed your koi cheerios is up to you, if you are worried about feeding them something out a cardboard box then don’t worry about feeding it to them. It isn’t an essential part of their diet and what they don’t know they won’t miss.

When purchasing cheerios for your koi fish be careful with the type, koi will eat anything, but that doesn’t mean you can feed them anything. Just get the plain multi-wheat cheerios instead of any of the flavored kinds.

They do love honey but have difficulty processing nuts so avoid the honey nut kind. Check each flavor before you toss it into the pond, or just get the plain.

They will eat several types of cereals such as flakes or rice cereal. Like with cheerios watch out for the flavored kinds and try to stick with whole grains or brown rice if you can find it.

All that you have to do is soak the cereal for about three minutes before throwing it in the pond or hand feeding your fish. The flakes and rice cereal do not need to be soaked first, you can just throw it right in.

Feed cereal to your koi like you would their regular food, as much as they can eat in five minutes.

Other types of human food koi like

Funnily enough, koi have a similar diet to us, they are a carnivore after all. So whatever we eat they love to eat as well. Unfortunately, that also translates to what is bad for us is bad for them as well.

For this very reason, a lot of koi owners use natural foods as a treat for their fish instead of items that can be found in a cardboard box. Foodstuffs such as fruit, vegetables, starches, and even meat are a better treat for your koi than cheerios are.

Simply for the fact that these food sources provide ample vitamins and nutrients naturally instead of being manufactured.

Fruits and vegetables while having carbs don’t have an abundance of them so they will not interfere with your koi’s specific nutritional needs, especially in the summer when they need more protein than carbohydrates.

While fruits and vegetables options are vast you will need to be a bit more discriminating towards meats and grains. But don’t worry about that we will tell you what to look for.

Now there is a lot of talk about koi fish-eating anything they can get their mouth on, but they have to recognize it as food first and every fish is different.

In the chance that your koi don’t eat their snacks when thrown in the pond try hand feeding them. If that doesn’t work, don’t worry about it. They are getting their nutrients from their regular food.

Fruit and Veggies

Koi love all kinds of plants to snack on, they will even eat the plants that are in their pond. Watery plant life is a big hit in the koi world, such as

Watermelon

Oranges

Greens

Lettuce

Tomatoes

They will even eat broccoli, apples, and berries. If the food is large break it up in small enough pieces for your koi.

For hard fruits and veggies, it fine to boil their food for a few minutes until it softens. Just let it cool down before feeding it to your fish.

Watermelon or just melons, in general, are soft enough on the inside that all you need to do is cut a thin slice and throw it into the pond. Your koi will swim up to it.

Meats

Meat that koi will encounter in the wild such as:

Bloodworms

Crickets

Earthworms

Shrimp

You can use live, dried or frozen meat for your koi for those people like myself who get squeamish feeding live food.

Some even use earthworms they find while gardening, only do that in moderation though, not for your koi fish but your garden. It needs those earthworms too. They will eat any little bugs that happen upon the koi pond anyways.

Grains and starches

Here is the area where the closest attention needs to be paid. During the summer koi need a lot more protein while in the building and waning months of spring and fall they have a more carb-heavy appetite.

Grains have a lot more carbs than fruits and vegetables and can throw off your koi’s diet. These items need to be given with a light hand.

In addition to the carb issue koi have a problem with the white floor and starches. For the same reason we don’t throw rice at weddings anymore, these types of food will make your koi fish swell.

Choose for whole wheat or brown rice if you want to use these as a treat, for potatoes go for sweet potatoes instead of your typical russet. Boil and cold all grains and starches before feeding. You can even add honey to these items to make it easier for your koi to eat.

When treats are ok for your koi to eat

It isn’t healthy to just feed your koi cheerios or any human food.

The conversation needs to include when it’s ok to feed your koi cheerios. They have a complex diet that shifts throughout the year entirely dependent on the weather. Cheerios while a nice treat is not a healthy replacement for their regular pellet food.

Due to their varying diet koi have specific food for the time of year and temperature. During the summer they eat a more protein-heavy diet when their metabolism is highest. Carbs are still a staple in their nutrition, but it takes a back seat.

Your koi will also eat a lot more during the summer. This is why treats like cheerios are best given during hotter periods because there are more meals.

Koi food specifically made for the warmer months has the correct balance of proteins, carbs, fats, and vitamins. All that you need to do is feed them throughout the day.

When the temperature drops so do their appetite. They are slowing down their feeding process for the wintertime, which if it’s cold enough they will go into hibernation.

You need to provide them with the right vitamins and nutrition when sending them off to their long non-eating times. Cheerios are just filler food that isn’t providing them anything but a good taste in their mouth.

Some koi owners use this fiber-rich cereal to get their koi’s stomach adjusted to and from hibernation changes. When their water gets below 55° F koi will stop eating and enter a hibernation cycle until the temperature of their water rises.

Some owners get a box of cheerios before the temperature drops and feed them the entire box to adjust their stomach to hibernation and then do the same in spring to restore the koi’s gut to regular feeding again.

This should only be done directly before and after hibernation, if you are not a seasoned koi owner then just still with the pellets to make it easier.

Anything that you give your koi that isn’t a part of their regular feeding should be given in moderation. Koi will eat anything that you can throw in their pond, but you being the reasonable party need to exhibit caution when providing these treats.

Remember during the summer you can replace one meal with treats, but when your koi start eating less each day they need to be given their intended food only.

[waterworldcraze]

What Do Koi Fish Eat? The Ultimate Guide

Feeding koi fish is a beautiful and rewarding experience, seeing them glide up to you with their various colors ready to eat.

What do koi fish eat? Koi fish will eat anything that is put in front of them from specialty food, human food, to whatever comes along in their pond. But that doesn’t mean they should be fed just anything.

Due to their body makeup and being omnivores they need a special diet that will give them the nutrients that they need while also something that their bodies will process.

The food itself is not the only thing to worry about when feeding koi, you must also consider when they are eating and how they are being fed. And we can help you with that process.

Read further to learn exactly what your koi can eat, the feed process, and what kind of store-bought food is the best for them.

What to feed your koi

Koi fish are not picky eaters, they will eat anything and everything. They just like food. But to keep them healthy you as the owner have to be discerning when it comes to feeding your fish.

Just because they will eat anything doesn’t mean you should just feed them whatever sounds fun. Thankfully this openness to eating makes it easier to know what to feed them.

Koi are omnivores that feed on plants and algae just as much as they will chase a random insect that has the misfortune to come into their pond. Even though they are peaceful fish they still will take a bit out of smaller fish that are in their territory.

As a result, they need both protein and carbohydrates. In the wild, they eat the aforementioned plants along with crustaceans and worms.

For this varied diet, the best food will contain both protein and carbohydrates. Koi food can come in the form of flakes, pellets, sticks, and even powered form that you can mix.

This type of food should be the main form of substance and should be the only thing that they eat during the fall and spring months due to their lowered metabolism.

You will need a couple of different types of food, summer months are more protein-heavy while the cooler months your koi will need more carbs. Not only do these specialty foods provide the right vitamins and nutrients they also provide substances that will help keep their colors vibrant.

You must also learn what not to feed your koi.

Beans

Peas

Potatoes

Bread

Rice

Live fish that you have caught

The food that you buy your koi will have the correct amount of carbohydrates for them. However, a lot of people use human food as a treat for their koi. Avoid foods that have a lot of carbs such.

These foods take a long time to digest which is hard for your fish that lacks a stomach.

Your koi pond is a sterilized environment introducing a fish that you do not know could spread disease in your pond or bring parasites. If you want to feed them something live then go to your local pet store or dealer for feeder fish.

These are fish that are breed for the sole purpose of being feed to other fish. If you rather not see your koi go after something living they also come in frozen and dried forms.

Treats for your koi

Koi fish love treats and they especially love human food as a change from the pellets or flakes that you typically feed them.

Human food should only be used as a treat for your koi instead of their main source of food. Think about what you are feeding them before taking snack cakes out to the back yard.

Is the food that you are about to feed your koi healthy for you? If it isn’t then it isn’t healthy for your koi.

Avoid feeding your koi anything comes out of a cardboard box. Treats should be natural to get the best vitamins and nutrients possible. Think about the procedure that goes into creating processed foods.

A lot of foods that come in cardboard boxes have chemicals that don’t agree with your koi’s system. Carbs, salt, and high fructose corn syrup along with added chemicals that could affect your koi’s heath.

These types of chemicals don’t contribute to your fishes’ health nor provide any nutrients, they just taste good. When your koi eats these items it limits their ability to absorb needed from healthy proteins and carbs.

It’s best to stick to natural foods when giving your koi treats. They will enjoy it because it’s a change of pace, but these natural foods will also contribute nutrients.

Practice moderation when feeding your koi human food. This is a treat, not their main source of food.

Types of human food koi can eat:

Fruit

Vegetables

Meats

Orange slices, grapes, and watermelon are fruits that your koi will enjoy eating. Look for soft fruits that are easy to break up. Oranges and grapes you can break up by hand and feed them.

For watermelons cut a thin slice and throw it in the water. They will circle the slice and nibble on it. After they are done scoop the slice out so it doesn’t foul the water.

Other fruits that work well for koi are soft melons, citrus, berries, tomatoes, and bananas.

Koi fish love broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, radishes, and leeks. Anything that isn’t too heavy on their digestive system and is light enough for them to suck into their mouths to chew since their teeth is at the back of their throat.

For denser veggies like radishes cut them in pieces small enough for your koi to handle. Starchier items can be feed to your koi, but use caution for legumes, rice, and corn since it takes longer for them to digest.

If you are worried about the texture boil the food then allow it to cool down before feeding your koi.

When it comes to meat stick with things that they could find in the water. Don’t bring them beef because their digestive system might not be able to handle it. Smaller animals such as snails, shrimp, or worms are the perfect meat product for them to eat.

Either frozen, dried or fresh doesn’t matter they will eat it. One thing that you shouldn’t do is bring back live fish that you have caught while fishing.

If you want to put fish in your koi pond for the specific reason for your koi to eat then go to your local pet store or fish dealer and ask for feeder fish. These are cheap fish that are breed specifically to feed to other carnivores of omnivore fish.

When you purchase for a reliable source you know that the fish, even if their only purpose is to be eaten, is not diseased or carry parasites that can spread to your koi.

Also, this might go without saying, but parasitic worms are not good to feed your koi. Things like maggots, ugh, live off of rotten meat if you feed your koi these nasties they will get bacteria from the meat the maggots have consumed.

I’m sure you won’t mind this exclusion.

How to feed your fish

For koi, you can just toss in some food once a day and expect them to thrive. They need periodic feeding throughout the day that increases in the summer and decrease in the spring and fall months.

They don’t have a stomach to process food, using their intestines to digest their food. Making the feeding process more complicated. Feeding them a lot at once is too much for their system and it will take longer for your koi to digest their food.

When feeding your koi a little bit at a time is the best way to go.

The number of times you feed your koi depends on the season, which is covered below. During these feeding times be cautious about how much you give them.

Feed your koi for up to 5 minutes each time making sure they are getting enough food. The amount of food depends on the size of your koi fish. Smaller fish will not need as much food, while a jumbo koi can put down a lot more food.

Keep an eye on the weather when you feed your koi. Don’t feed your koi before a storm. They need a lot of oxygen for digestion, during a storm, the oxygen in the water will drop down and they can’t go to the surface to breathe.

Without enough oxygen, they will begin to stress out. With stress, their immune system will be affected causing parasites and disease.

You can feed your koi by throwing the food in their pond allowing them to swim to get what they need or you can hand feed them the food. When you throw food in the pond you might overfeed them.

After they are done you will need to scoop out any uneaten food so that it doesn’t contaminate the water with decay. Hand-feeding is perfectly safe and easy if you don’t have a lot of fish in your pond.

Koi do have teeth, but they are far back in their throat so they don’t pose a danger to you when feeding. At the very most they might suction your finger mistaking it for food.

Hand-feeding allows you to feed them exactly the right amount of food. Also, the process creates a stronger bond between you and your fish. You will begin to recognize their particular behaviors and patterns when you have a more personal experience with them.

When you are away, either due to a busy schedule or going on vacation, try to find someone who can come over to feed your koi. If you can’t find someone that you feel is capable of feeding your fish invest in an auto feeder.

Indoor auto feeders are easy to find, but if you have an outdoor pond make sure the feeder is specifically for outdoors. These feeders can be times and have portion control capabilities.

Feeding schedule for feeding koi

The season also plays a part in the type of food that they need or if they need food at all. Koi fish are cold-blooded creatures so their need for food changes due to the temperature.

They also don’t have a stomach and rely on their intestines to process their food, when their water is cold they will go into hibernation. During the summer and spring months their metabolism is high and you can feed them more.

But during the winter it will slow down and they don’t need as much food or doing need food at all.

If you feed your koi treats only provide them once the water gets around 65° F. Once the water gets to this temperature your koi’s metabolism will start to kick back and you will be feeding them several times a day.

During the colder months, their metabolism will decrease then stop in winter. If you feed them treats during this time they will not get the need nutrients from their specialty food.

Koi hibernate during the winter months so they will get little to no food. It’s important to give them enough food during the summer and fall months so that they have enough nutrients to last through the colder months.

The temperature where you live plays a part in your koi’s feeding process. If you live in a warmer environment that has mild winters your koi will have less of a hibernation time and will be more hungry throughout the year.

In colder environments, they might have a long hibernation time so feeding during the summer and fall is important to get enough nutrients in them before the long sleeping process begins.

During the cooler months before and after winter feed them carb-rich foods such as wheat germ. In the fall this type of food is to prepare their system for hibernation, while after winter they need to adjust to eating regularly again.

During the hotter months protein-rich foods, and treats, are perfect because that is when their metabolism is the highest.

It’s hard to determine when you should feed koi with changing temperatures and the degree amount varies from person to person, but here is a handy guide to go by.

Extreme heat 95-over 100° F – Koi will lose their appetite, feed once or twice a day

75-95° F – Four to five times a day

75-65° F – Four times a day

65-55° F – Three times a day (start to decrease their protein intake)

55-50° F – Two times a day

50-40° F-Start feeding them three times a week

Under 40°- Stop feeding them

If the temperature is above 75 degrees Fahrenheit then feed them around 5 times a day. Due to the heat, their digestive system will process the extra food fast.

Once it gets below 75 degrees you can start skipping at least one meal to get them to the point where they are ready to hibernate. Under 65° and you can feed them 3 times a day and decrease their protein intake.

Once the temperature outside gets to about 50 or 55 degrees Fahrenheit their metabolism is going to drop considerably, if they are taking food then feed them twice a day. If they don’t partake in any food don’t worry they are just hibernating.

If they need something to eat during these periods’ algae, plants and any bugs that come into their pond will be more than enough. When you first get koi it might be easier for you to hand feed them.

This personal approach helps you to see when their appetites start to decrease and you will have a better gage in the future years to come.

Best store-bought food for your koi and auto feeder

Koi need specialty food so that they have enough nutrients throughout the year and to keep their colors bright. Since they are omnivores you can’t just go out and buy anything for them, and feeding them human food will ensure that they are missing some nutrients.

It is a very tricky process making sure your koi are feed right, both the amount of food given and frequency throughout the year.

While you still need to feed them yourself at times to create a closer bond between you, if you feed your koi they will come up to greet you when you walk out, it can be hard for you alone to keep up this process.

If you work at home or are at home throughout the day, then it won’t be a big deal. For those who work or might be gone for vacation or whatnot, it becomes a hassle to make sure you are caring for them properly.

Luckily there are auto feeders that will help you care for them when you are away. You can also set up the auto feeders to calculate the frequency so that it changes as the weather gets colder.

Store-bought food

During the warmer months, Tetra Pond Koi Vibrance (you can get it here) is a good general choice for your koi. It comes with the protein, fats, fiber, and vitamin C that your fish need.

This particular formula is best used when the water is above 50° F. Koi Vibrance is a stick form of food and will float on the water, making it easier for you to clean if there is any uneaten food left.

When the water temperature falls below 50° F you need to switch to the TetraPond Spring and Fall Diet (you can get it here). Like the Koi Vibrance, this is a stick variety of food. While this food does have protein, fats, and vitamin C it is high in fiber due to wheat germ.

When you are feeding your koi this type of colder weather food you will also limit the times that they eat per day.

Hikari Gold Pellets (you can get them here) are an all-around food source for your koi, but they are specifically made to help with the vibrancy of your fish. This brand is made in Japan so it might take a bit to arrive depending on what shipping method that you chose.

With fish food, it is ok to provide a mix to your koi so they can eat this and a more general type of food.

When you need to be away or are just busy an auto feeder helps keep your fish feed regularly if you have no one that can help. Not all auto feeders work outdoors, the mechanism and food are not protected from the rain.

Automatic feeder

The P7000 Pond Fish Feeder (see it here) has a timer and portion control. The cup capacity is at 30 so you can fill it up if you are going to be away for a little bit. The model only takes sticks and pellets.

Flakes are great when you are hand feeding your fish but are not substantial enough for a lot of auto feeders due to clogging.

A word of caution for store-bought food. While it might seem thrifty to buy bulk food for your koi it’s better to get smaller bags. A koi’s food needs change so often throughout the year, so any unused food that you have will stay in its container for a year.

If you buy in bulk you might have half of a container of food that will rot. After you own koi for a while it will get easier gaging the amount of food you need to buy during each season.

Just because your koi will eat anything doesn’t mean you should be feeding them just anything. You being the rational party need to be discerning in what you feed your fish.

Feeding them specialty food ensures that their nutritional needs are met. While feeding your koi novelty foods or human food is a cute error on the side of caution. They don’t have a stomach so digestion is harder for their system than it is for yours.

If it isn’t great for you then it is doubly bad for them. Feeding them correctly will guarantee they will be your friends for at least 20 years.

[waterworldcraze]

Can Koi Fish Eat Spinach? 4 Nutritional Benefits Explained

Koi are beautiful and highly coveted fish. They’re an elegant addition to any pond, but they cost a pretty penny. It’s only natural you’d want to keep your Koi in great shape. The best way to do this? Provide a nutritious diet.

But, is one of our top superfoods, spinach, good for your Koi? The answer is quite fascinating.

Can Koi eat spinach? You can feed your Koi fish spinach. This dark leafy green helps supplement your fish’s diet with essential nutrients. Best of all, your fish will eat this healthy food right up. It’s a great addition to their diet and recommended by many Koi fish owners.

If you want to add variety to what your Koi eats, then spinach is a great place to start. However, this barely scratches the surface of supplementing your Koi’s diet. Keep reading to find out all the best tips for feeding your Koi spinach and other people food.

The benefits of feeding your Koi spinach

If you recall the cartoon Popeye, his immense strength and vitality came from eating spinach. Feeding your Koi spinach won’t help them grow comically oversized muscles like Popeye, but they will give your fish some of those coveted health benefits.

Below you’ll find the top benefits of feeding your Koi spinach.

1. It has antimicrobial properties

This means that everyone’s favorite dark leafy green helps rid the body of damaging microorganisms. These microorganisms such as mold and bacteria can find their way into your Koi’s body.

But spinach’s antimicrobial properties works on a cellular level to eradicate these damaging organisms. It’s loaded with vitamins.

Consider spinach a superfood that’s not just great for human consumption. Your Koi get all the same nutritional benefits as we do. This includes vitamins A, C, and K. Spinach is also an excellent source of folic acid which helps with cell function.

2. It contains necessary minerals

It’s not always easy to get a sufficient amount of minerals in your Koi’s diet daily. But if your fish need a boost of iron and calcium, then provide your Koi with some spinach.

3. It contains antioxidants

These free-radical fighters are a current health trend- but for a very good reason! Spinach is loaded with antioxidants. This helps keep your Koi’s cells healthy. Some studies suggest that when fish consume an antioxidant-rich diet, they have more energy.

4. It’ll be your Koi’s favorite food

A delicious treat and healthy? It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not. Koi, as well as many other fish species, favor spinach. This is important if you are looking to transition from store-bought food to whole foods.

Since Koi enjoy spinach, it makes for an easier transition when acclimating your fish to new foods.

How to prepare spinach for you Koi

Now that you know your Koi fish will go crazy for spinach, you may wonder what’s the best way to serve this vegetable. Fortunately, feeding spinach to your Koi is as easy as it can be.

To serve spinach to Koi, you can simply throw a handful of fresh, washed spinach into the water. There’s no need to cook it. After all, in the wild, fish only eat uncooked plants. There’s also no need to chop spinach for your Koi.

Your fish will nibble on the spinach leaves until they are all gone. Some Koi owners prefer to blanch the spinach before feeding it to their fish.

This is because the spinach is softer and easier to eat, but it is not necessary. If you wish to provide your Koi with blanched spinach, pour boiling water onto the spinach and let it sit for 30 seconds. The hot water wilts the leaves, giving the spinach a softer texture.

Want to provide your Koi with spinach in an extra special way? Make your own fish food pellets. It doesn’t take much effort, tastes great, and gives you peace of mind knowing your Koi fish are eating whole, natural foods.

Blend together 1/2 cup of spinach, 1/4 cup chopped carrots, 1 cup of wheat germ, a clove of crushed garlic, and 1/4 cup of your Koi’s favorite fruit. Once it is blended into a paste, form the dough into small patties and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until the patties harden.

They can be stored in the fridge, or frozen to last even longer.

The benefits of feeding your Koi people food

Feeding your Koi people food is fun, but did you know it can help improve your fish’s quality of life? Below you’ll find the top benefits your Koi fish get out of snacking on our foods.

It helps fulfill nutritional needs.

Worried that your fish are not getting the dietary requirements they need? You’re not alone. Fortunately, you don’t have to waste precious time reading the backs of fish food labels.

Instead, provide your Koi with nutritionally dense human food. This is a lot easier than hunting for the perfect fish pellet or loading up on supplements.

Your Koi’s dietary needs are not too far off from our own. They need protein, which aids in growth and replenishes cells. They need healthy fats to help absorb vitamins.

Carbs are also a necessity; they keep your fish energized. And of course, your fish need vitamins, especially A, C, D, E, and K to help support a healthy nervous system.

Since our dietary needs include the same elements, it’s easy for us to determine which foods will provide the proper nutrition for our scaly friends.

It offers a variety.

Would you want to eat the same old boring sandwich every day? With all the delicious food options out there, the answer is surely no. So why is it acceptable to feed pet fish the same food pellets day after day? Instead, offer your Koi a variety of people food.

First of all, a variety of food is excellent for your Koi fish’s health. Your fish can eat a wide range of food, each with its unique nutritional benefits. Sustenance is always better when it is sourced from whole, minimally processed foods.

When compared to highly processed pellets, it’s no competition. Additionally, a variety of food keeps your fish entertained. Sure, even fish can be excited to try new foods. It also reflects their dietary habits in the wild, since they eat from many different food sources.

The best people food for your Koi

Before you decide to share your lunch with your Koi, it’s important to know which food options are best since not everything we eat should be thrown to your Koi. Below you’ll find some great options for your fish.

Vegetables

Unlike some picky children, Koi go crazy for their veggies. They love leafy greens like lettuce, kale, and of course, spinach. They also love carrots, peas, broccoli, and even garlic!

Fruit

There’s nothing like biting into a juicy piece of fruit, and your Koi certainly feel the same. Offer your Koi orange slices, grapes and melon. They also enjoy savory fruit like peppers and tomatoes.

Meat

Like humans, Koi are omnivores. Some occasional meat will give your fish a protein boost and they’ll love the taste. Feed your koi some worms, shrimp, and crab meat.

These are the most popular options you can provide for your Koi. However, there are so many options available. The best method is to stick with whole, natural foods that come straight from the Earth.

Tips for feeding Koi

Now that you know what to feed your koi, it’s important to know how to feed your Koi. There’s more to it than just dumping food in the water and walking away. Below you’ll find tips on how to properly feed your Koi.

Properly prepare your Koi’s food.

When it comes to preparing your Koi’s food, it’s best to keep it simple. Fruits are perfectly fine served raw, just remember to prepare it in bite-sized pieces. You can also serve vegetables raw. If you prefer to offer cooked vegetables, try steaming or blanching the food.

Avoid cooking methods that include additional fats. It is not necessary for your Koi’s diet. Similarly, you can provide most types of meat raw, but if you want to cook it, opt for steaming or boiling.

Don’t overfeed your Koi.

Sometimes, it’s hard to resist overfeeding your Koi, especially when they beg at the water’s surface so politely. Remember that overfeeding can leave your fish feeling unwell. Excess food causes weight gain and lethargy. Also, overfeeding leads to more fish waste.

Your pond will get dirty more quickly and negatively affect the water quality.

Don’t underfeed your Koi.

Life is hectic. Sometimes, we are so busy, it’s easy to forget to feed our Koi. However, they are living creatures that depend on us humans for survival. An underfed Koi will also suffer from lethargy from not being properly fueled.

If your Koi are frequently underfed, they can lose weight, develop deformities, and have some strain on their organs.

Promptly remove uneaten food.

Koi don’t usually leave leftovers, but if you overfeed your Koi or provide a meal they don’t like, then remember to discard any uneaten food. Eventually, leftover food will start to decompose in the water and grow harmful bacteria. This bacteria negatively affects your Koi’s water quality.

Human foods to avoid feeding your Koi

Not everything we eat is suitable for your Koi. Below you’ll find the foods to avoid feeding your fish. They will eat just about anything, so it’s important to know what’s harmful to your Koi’s health.

High-carb foods

Complex carbohydrates in fruits and vegetables are perfectly fine for Koi. However, foods high in simple carbs should be avoided. They offer no nutritional benefit and can harm your Koi’s health if fed in excess. Simple carbs include bread, rice, pasta, cookies, crackers, and cereal.

High-Fat foods

Like carbs, Koi fish also need fat in their diets, but only minimally. Too much fat consumption can cause health issues. It’s best to avoid fried foods or food cooked in oils. Also, high-fat meat should be kept to a minimum. This includes beef, pork, and animal skin.

Processed foods

These types of foods are not part of a healthy diet. Processed foods are often loaded with sodium, fat, and sugar. Also, they usually contain a lot of hard to pronounce ingredients. Your koi fish does not eat processed food in the wild, so it’s best to refrain from offering it.

Try to cut these unnatural foods out of your diet as well!

Wrap-up

Koi will eat just about anything, but it’s best to provide natural, nourishing food options. Stick with fresh fruits, lean meats, and lots of veggies, including everyone’s favorite dark, leafy green- spinach. Your koi will love eating a healthy, varied diet, and have fun taste-testing new options.