I feed my koi three times a day I got them at three inches and now they are six inches with beer bellies, should i get them more fiber, they get fed koi pellets, or is this normal, they swim normally except at night they tend to run into things at night. Right now the pond temp at its highest is 88f and low 80's to high seventies at night. water parameters are perfect. water is clear but is tea colored water due to acorns.
Important koi question
- Thread starter aquaculture
- Start date
Feeding them 3 times a day is ok as long as you don't feed too much with each feeding. I feed mine a high protein food in the warmer months, and a high carb diet in the cooler months. I very rarely get freezing temps here in Houston, but durring the few cold spells we get, I quit feeding them. It sounds like they are doing ok, but don't let too many acorns accumulate. They will acidify your water.
Good call on the acorns acidify the water Ted...
The Oak leaves will do the same, and it sounds like there maybe quite a few if the tannins are discoloring the water. Koi prefer a harder, more alkalin water so a water change maybe needed? What are your parms?
Do the bellies go away if not feed for a day or two?
The Oak leaves will do the same, and it sounds like there maybe quite a few if the tannins are discoloring the water. Koi prefer a harder, more alkalin water so a water change maybe needed? What are your parms?
Do the bellies go away if not feed for a day or two?
even with the black water the ph is still around 8.5 and is hard water still. have placed a net over the pond to prvent all but the smallest pieces of acorns from getting into the water and have netted out most of the acorns. they haven't gone a couple days without food since in my care , due to the fact that when i only feed them once a day they tear apart everything in the pond making sure it is not food. once i cught them eating a piece of bark so i decide i should feed them proper food. they also eat the minnows in the pond if they get too hungry. they act like a school of piranah in the mornings and evenings attacking their kibble like it started a fight.
I have since cut back to twice a day with feeding.
water and soil here is quite hard and usaully test out in the ph of 9 or higher.
I have since cut back to twice a day with feeding.
water and soil here is quite hard and usaully test out in the ph of 9 or higher.
Would you be able to post a couple pictures?
Based on your signature, you only have a few koi. It may be possible that the ones with "beer bellies" are females, which tend to have rounded abdomens. You might also want to consider the quality of food you are using. Low quality (cheap) koi food will fatten koi.
At 88 degrees I would be careful how much I feed. I do not my feed my koi when the water is above 85 degrees, but if you do I would ensure that the water is consistently at O2 saturation, particularly immediately after feeding when the water is its warmest (when O2 will be lowest and ammonia highest).
Based on your signature, you only have a few koi. It may be possible that the ones with "beer bellies" are females, which tend to have rounded abdomens. You might also want to consider the quality of food you are using. Low quality (cheap) koi food will fatten koi.
At 88 degrees I would be careful how much I feed. I do not my feed my koi when the water is above 85 degrees, but if you do I would ensure that the water is consistently at O2 saturation, particularly immediately after feeding when the water is its warmest (when O2 will be lowest and ammonia highest).
Sorry no pics cant find the camera,
So it could be the quality of my food well, ill get the better stuff then.
They're not obeese they just look alittle full, they are still quite quick though.
Yesterday I only feed them twice, today only once and then tomorrow will begin a two day fast, for them.
I have two air pumps running on opposite sides of the pond plus a six inch wide water fall all three run 24/7.
They are only about six to eight inches long, are they big enough to be sexually mature?
They are less then a year old by the way.
thanks
So it could be the quality of my food well, ill get the better stuff then.
They're not obeese they just look alittle full, they are still quite quick though.
Yesterday I only feed them twice, today only once and then tomorrow will begin a two day fast, for them.
I have two air pumps running on opposite sides of the pond plus a six inch wide water fall all three run 24/7.
They are only about six to eight inches long, are they big enough to be sexually mature?
They are less then a year old by the way.
thanks
As a general rule of thumb for higher quality koi food, corn products (fillers) should not be listed in the first 5 ingredients.
It sounds like you have plenty of aeration, so that shouldn't be an issue.
If they are less than a year old, then I would feed them once a day as the warmer months are when their metabolism is high and growth is rapid, which requires lots of nutrients. But, as I'm sure you know, make sure they are eating what you are feeding them (it sounds like they are).
When koi reach sexual maturity is largely dependent on stocking density. In a highly stocked pond, they will reach sexual maturity much later, and vice-versa. Your koi are not sexually mature yet, but it sounds like you have a lightly stocked pond so they will most likely reach sexual maturity at around 10-12 inches.
It sounds like you have plenty of aeration, so that shouldn't be an issue.
If they are less than a year old, then I would feed them once a day as the warmer months are when their metabolism is high and growth is rapid, which requires lots of nutrients. But, as I'm sure you know, make sure they are eating what you are feeding them (it sounds like they are).
When koi reach sexual maturity is largely dependent on stocking density. In a highly stocked pond, they will reach sexual maturity much later, and vice-versa. Your koi are not sexually mature yet, but it sounds like you have a lightly stocked pond so they will most likely reach sexual maturity at around 10-12 inches.