Seasonal Koi Nutrition Needs
Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff

Drs. Foster & Smith Koi Super Food

Choosing the right food and feeding it at the right time affects the overall health and longevity of your fish. As seasons change, and water temperatures rise and fall, so do the nutritional needs of your fish. To make the proper adjustments in diet and portion size, you need to use an accurate thermometer to measure water temperature on a regular basis.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS:
Wheat Germ & Cool Water Food - Maximize nutrient absorption during cooler pond water temperatures.
TetraPond Koi Vibrance - Vitamin enriched koi food great for summer feedings.
CMC Calcium Montmorillonite Mineral Clay - Natural way to deliver minerals and trace elements to your koi.
Wheat Germ Formulas for cooler temperatures
As water temperatures fall, the metabolism of koi and other fishes slows, and their ability to resist disease decreases. To compensate, at around 60°F, begin mixing their diet with an easier-to-digest, wheat germ formula. At around 50°F, switch to it completely. These foods offer high nutrition, are fortified with vitamins and minerals to help boost the immune system, and help reduce fish waste.

Growth Formulas for active fish
During the winter months, your fish may have eaten very little or no food. As a result, in early spring their energy reserves are very low. As water warms to 70°F, it's time to switch to growth foods. The higher level of protein, vitamins, and minerals in these formulas provides the extra energy your fish need as they become more active, and are especially important for young, rapidly growing, or spawning fish.

RELATED INFORMATION:
Fall & Winter Feeding Tips for Pond Fish
How to Prepare Your Pond for Quality Koi
Proper Pond Care for Over-Winter Success
Using Vitamins and Minerals as Preventive Maintenance
Staple Formulas for warmer temperatures
Staple formulas offer high quality protein, vitamins, and minerals suitable for all fish, but at lower energy levels than growth foods. They provide a good maintenance diet throughout the summer months.

Color Foods for vibrant fish
If you are raising championship koi, or simply want your fish to look their absolute best, color foods can make a visible difference. Color foods are usually used at intervals to help raise the concentration of pigment in the skin of your fish to optimize natural potential.

For healthy fish, keep an eye on water temperature, use a variety of quality foods, adjust foods seasonally, and adjust portion sizes.