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Help! My new koi won't eat.

 





 


turner
New User


May 30, 2006, 2:37 AM

Post #1 of 7 (536 views)
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Help! My new koi won't eat. Can't Post
Okay, I put in a small (200gal or a little less) koi pond in the garden. I puchased two small koi about 3in long, each. They've only been in their new home for about 5 or 6 days now, but they're not eating anything I give them. They haven't quite warmed up to me and don't understand that I'm not a predator. They dart around and find places to hide whenever they see me. I assume this will pass with time. Anyways, I've tried feeding them small floating pellets, but I end up scooping them out after about 10 minutes so they don't saturate and sink to the bottom, raising ammonia levels. I've tried lettuce, but the result is the same. Is there some type of sinking food I should try, that won't deminish water quality? What about worms or grubs from the garden? Any help would be much appreciated!
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turner
New User


May 30, 2006, 10:23 AM

Post #2 of 7 (529 views)
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Re: [turner] Help! My new koi won't eat. [In reply to] Can't Post
YES! I finally got them to eat! Well, at least, I was able to see them eat. So at least I know they are eating. I sank 4 floating pellets by wrapping them with small pieces of wheat bread (someone suggested). I found the little guys hiding in a corner at the bottom, so I creeped up and dropped a few in right next to them. At first they just sat there. I thought they might still be scared of me so I went around to the other side of the pond to get rid of my shadow. A few seconds later they were darting back and forth between the four sunken pieces taking bites and pushing them around. It's a great relief to know their eating and have appetites. I was beginning to think they were sick. Guess it takes them a while to get used to things. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can teach them not to be so frightened of me, and to associate me with food?
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Koi38
Senior Member


May 30, 2006, 12:35 PM

Post #3 of 7 (525 views)
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Re: [turner] Help! My new koi won't eat. [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi turner,

What you can do is use sinking pellets first until they get use to it. Then slowly introduce floating pellets. When you feed always feed on the same area, throw few pellets then stand back and watch them eat the pellets. You may have to do this for a while until they get use to you from a distance. Everytime you feed them try to come closer if you spooked them step back. Do this and eventualy they'll be eating off your handsSmile It may take days or weeks for them to get use to you and avoid sudden movementsWink

rgds,
Jon

PS: If you have algae on the floor and walls then they have plenty of food to munch onSmile

"DuKu Friendly"
_____________________________________
"No one is ever too old to know better"

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/


turner
New User


May 31, 2006, 7:49 AM

Post #4 of 7 (512 views)
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Re: [Koi38] Help! My new koi won't eat. [In reply to] Can't Post
Thanks for your reply Jon,
I'm afraid to use sinking pellets because of I've heard many foods can cause a rise in Ammonia levels if they are left to dissolve in the water. As I said, last night, I introduced some "sinking" pellets by wrapping the normal floating pellets with small pieces of wheat bread. They seemed to tear them up after night fall. That's another thing... they will only come away from their usual hiding space (around the submersible filter) during the night hours, when it is dark. During the day, they are always in the same spot by the filter. There is a pump inside the filter and a tube connected to the pump that creates a three tiered waterfall for aeration. I know they can't see me through the waterfall (at least, I don't think so), so it's virtually impossible to get them to feed during the day. Any advice? Also, as I think I mentioned, my bond is pretty much bare at the moment, just a filter and pump for hiding places, neither of which provide much cover at all with the exception of a tiny bit of shade. Again, my small garden pond is only about 100-200 gallons. Can anyone suggest some good things to insert into the pond bed to entice more excitement/investigation to make the koi more energetic. Right now they seem extremely. PS: Jon, there is algae on the walls and floor. At first, I though this was a bad thing, but it's good to know that this is a good source of food for them. I've heard that koi are normally bottom feeders, ergo, they must be trained to come to the surface for food. Perhaps this is why they are hesitant to come to the surface to eat floating food, even more so when I am nearby. :) Again, thanks for all the help, any more is greatly appreciated!
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Koi38
Senior Member


May 31, 2006, 9:43 AM

Post #5 of 7 (508 views)
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Re: [turner] Help! My new koi won't eat. [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Turner,

Is it possible to relocate this filter of yours outside the pond. This will get rid of their hiding place. Other thing you can do is to walk around the pond during the day. The more time you spend around your pond the quicker they get use to youSmile When you give them sinking pellets just give them a few, I should not effect the ammonia but keep an eye on it just in caseTongue Your pond should only have the koi and water. Placing other things like pot plants, rocks, etc will reduce their space. Maybe you can entice the surrounding insteadWink

rgds,
Jon

"DuKu Friendly"
_____________________________________
"No one is ever too old to know better"

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/


turner
New User


May 31, 2006, 2:30 PM

Post #6 of 7 (499 views)
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Re: [Koi38] Help! My new koi won't eat. [In reply to] Can't Post
I'm not sure if it's practical to relocate the filter, but I assume it's plausible. To be more specific, the filter that I have is somewhat combined with the pump. The filter is about 8" high, 10" wide, and 12" long. There is a plastic grate on the top, then beneath that, there is a coarse filter, then a fine filter, then another plastic grate, then there is the pump in the bottom of the filter. Ergo, the pump sucks the water through the filters, in order to pump water up to the fountain. Any ideas on how to relocate the filter and/or pump outside the pond. Jon, how do you suggest "enticing their surroundings"? Right now, they have no surroundings. Unimpressed Since Koi are kind of expensive, Tongue, can you suggest any other good fish species that would get along good with my small koi. What about Ryukin or Oranda goldfish? Will they all get along?
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Koi38
Senior Member


May 31, 2006, 2:55 PM

Post #7 of 7 (493 views)
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Re: [turner] Help! My new koi won't eat. [In reply to] Can't Post
turner,

Looking at your drawing it seems that the water enters from the top then to pump. If that the case how can this filter clean the bottom of your pondCrazy

To entice your pond we need pics. We have lots of experienced landscaper here that can help usWink Don't forget that once the summer months come your koi will grow to double its size now, so you might want to consider the space first before adding anymore fishSmile

Le me think of something else for your existing filter.

rgds,
Jon

"DuKu Friendly"
_____________________________________
"No one is ever too old to know better"

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/

 
 
 



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