Koi Forum (Nishikigoi - Japanese Koi Fish): Koi Health: Koi Feeding, Nutrition and Diet: Size of pellets. Does it matter?

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Size of pellets. Does it matter?

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dttk
Senior Member

Apr 7, 2002, 11:43 AM

Post #1 of 55 (8008 views)
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Size of pellets. Does it matter?	Can't Post

Hi friends, I would like to know what you guys think about the above topic. I've been using mini to medium size pellets for close to 6 months now for all my koi including the larger ones above 45cm. I'm happy to note that the results are encouraging. I find that all the food is taken up more rapidly as expected and there is no wastage. Contact time with water is shorten resulting in less vitamins being lost. The amount of floating faeces is less making the water clearer. The koi also surface more readily and remain so for a longer time. Growth rate is very good. But I've heard koi keepers saying that larger koi grow more rapidly if given larger pellets. However I think smaller pellets are easier to digest? Furthermore I think there is no need to soak smaller pellets prior to feeding. Do you guys think that there is a difference in the nutritional contents of smaller and larger pellets based on weight for weight? If the vitamins are coated on the surface of the pellet, I should think that the same weight of smaller pellets should be more concentrated with vitamins? Unimpressed

Always friendly :)

Bancherd
Koi Lover

Apr 8, 2002, 6:48 AM

Post #2 of 55 (7993 views)
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Re: [dttk] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have one koi that would normally split out large pellets if they were not pre-soaked. This does not happen with medium pellet. Sly

dttk
Senior Member

Apr 8, 2002, 9:20 AM

Post #3 of 55 (7990 views)
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Re: [Bancherd] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Bancherd, yes, I used to see some of my larger koi spitting out the larger pellets while feeding. I thought they didn't like the flavour of the tablets... Shocked

. Now I realised that the actual reason may be because the pellets are too hard and big. Eversince I begin using mini to medium size pellets, I do not see this problem anymore.
Always friendly :)

SMW1
Koi Kichi

Apr 8, 2002, 5:13 PM

Post #4 of 55 (7980 views)
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Re: [dttk] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I would love to have koi's big enough to eat large pellets. However, my kois are all under 30cm, so I can not comment.

However while we are on the topic of food. Do any of you guys feed wheatgerm throughout the year or only in the cold season ?. I currently feed a mixture of wheatgerm and koi sticks. I am thinkinf of continuing this throught the year, but remember reading somewhere that this may not be a god idea.

any comments ?

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Apr 9, 2002, 3:49 PM

Post #5 of 55 (7963 views)
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Re: [dttk] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Dr Tan and the rest!

My kois ranges from 15 cm - 45 cm and so I feed them a mixture of small and medium sized pellets. In my opinion, large pellets if not pre-soaked and swallowed wholesale by the kois may cause indigestion and stomach upset. Perhaps, the larger kois of 60cm onwards may not have a problem with large pellets.

To the kois, the size of the pellets do not make any difference, so long as they are fed enough! Wink

Also, I try to provide variety by not feeding them the same food all the time. Try eating spaghetti everyday! I mix spirulina and wheatgerm based pellets and occasionally feed them slices of oranges and small pieces of lettuce.

Stuart, we have no problems feeding our kois with any type of pellets because of our year round sunny weather. I think, for countries with cold climates like the UK, when the tempersture is around 10 degrees C, it is best to feed them low protein diet such as cereal-based food for quick digestion, this is because in winter, kois' digestion ability slows down dramatically hence you wouldn't want the food staying too long in their guts which can cause the breeding of pathogens. In the summer, feed them high protein diets to compensate for the cold months.

Rgds

Johnson

dttk
Senior Member

Apr 9, 2002, 4:07 PM

Post #6 of 55 (7962 views)
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Re: [johnson lee] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Johnson, yup, I agree with you about wheatgerm pellets. Wink

Always friendly :)

SMW1
Koi Kichi

Apr 9, 2002, 11:34 PM

Post #7 of 55 (7955 views)
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Re: [johnson lee] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Cool, thanks guys. Smile

Arcen
Koi Lover

Apr 13, 2002, 12:32 AM

Post #8 of 55 (7929 views)
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Re: [SMW1] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hello Stuart and everyone else.I have read on other BB's,that a LOT of Koi keepers are feeding Hikari Wheatgerm all year round!!! In the warmer months they still feed the wheatgerm but also add other types of staple diet!!!!! They say by feeding wheatgerm,there isn't as much waste produced.But surely,the nutritional value isn't high enough!!! Crazy

Oh well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Smile

COLIN..............

dttk
Senior Member

Apr 13, 2002, 11:53 AM

Post #9 of 55 (7918 views)
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Re: [Arcen] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi guys, with the warm weather over here all year round, I just go for the Hi-Growth type of pellets. Might try adding some wheatgerm this time if that's the case. Smile

Always friendly :)

Arcen
Koi Lover

Apr 13, 2002, 4:16 PM

Post #10 of 55 (7913 views)
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Re: [dttk] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi dttk,

I didn't want to give you the impression that you should go rushing off out to buy some!!!!! Smile

I merely was saying that from the material I have read on other Koi BB's sites and articles in magazines,a lot of Koi keepers seem to be doing this feeding with the wheatgerm... I was tempted to do this myself,but my Koi are happy with what they have.

Something I WILL recommend though is,Kusuri Klay.I add it to my ponds every week throughout the year.It puts a lovely sparkle on the surface of the water,adds a good source of minerals and brings out the colours of my Koi.If you can,then buy some of this.There does seem to be a lot of different makes on the market!!!!!! See what fellow Koi keepers YOU know use!!!!!! Smile

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND Smile

COLIN

SMW1
Koi Kichi

Apr 13, 2002, 5:15 PM

Post #11 of 55 (7910 views)
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Re: [Arcen] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Colin / Dttk,

I will check out the kusuri klay, I have a g65 turbo skimmer running at the moment which give the water a really good polish, but I will look into the Klay is it made by Nishikoi ?. Also I think I will carry on usng wheatgerm but also mix it with some hi growth.

Just experimenting this morning and my koi love sweet corn, lettuce and praws as treats. They don't like peas so much though Tongue

. However can't feed them praws as a treat too often as they cost a fortune Mad

.

Stuart

dttk
Senior Member

Apr 14, 2002, 12:16 PM

Post #12 of 55 (7901 views)
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Re: [Arcen] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Arcen, I like to add some variety to the pellets. In fact I've been contemplating this for sometime already. Thanks for the concern. Smile

As for clay, I'm happy to know that you've good results with them. I won't rule that out in the future. Sly

Always friendly :)

Arcen
Koi Lover

Apr 14, 2002, 7:48 PM

Post #13 of 55 (7894 views)
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Re: [SMW1] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Stuart, The Kusuri Klay is made by Kusuri....Nishikoi do also make their own brand....But so do a lot of other companies.Personally I think Kusuri is the better...You will find it at most good Koi outlets or here,,,, www.kusuri.co.uk SORRY FOR THE ADVERTISING WEBMASTER,BUT HELPS EVERYONE!!! Smile

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Apr 15, 2002, 11:22 AM

Post #14 of 55 (7884 views)
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Re: [SMW1] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Stuart

If I were you, I would not feed the kois with sweet corn because the inner core of the corn is too hard for the kois to digest thus causing various stomach ailments. Lettuce and prawns are OK.

Arcen, in a tropical climate like ours, we can feed our kois virtually any food we want including wheatgerm! Smile

But in countries with cold climate, it is better not to feed the kois high protein diet during the winter months. Wheatgerm is cereal-based thus it can be fed the whole year round.

Rgds

Johnson

SMW1
Koi Kichi

Apr 15, 2002, 5:38 PM

Post #15 of 55 (7876 views)
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Re: [johnson lee] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Johnson,

I see your point about the sweet corn.

Just to be on the safe side I'll remove this from my treats list.

Thanks

Arcen
Koi Lover

Apr 17, 2002, 2:52 AM

Post #16 of 55 (7854 views)
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Re: [johnson lee] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi johnson lee, You must of misread my post!!! I didn't say anything about high protein feeding in the winter time!!!! Smile

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Apr 17, 2002, 10:52 AM

Post #17 of 55 (7845 views)
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Re: [Arcen] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Oops sorry, Colin

My mistake for misreading your message. I was just trying to point out that feeding wheatgerm and/or high protein diet food to kois in a hot tropical climate like ours causes no problem. Smile

But not in countries with winter whereby it is better to feed them cereal-based food during the cold season. Laugh

Sorry, mate!

Johnson Pirate

Arcen
Koi Lover

Apr 17, 2002, 3:52 PM

Post #18 of 55 (7838 views)
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Re: [johnson lee] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Johnson Smile

Not a problem Smile

I wouldn't dream of feeding Koi high protein in winter time! Mind you,it is ok for me,as I heat my pond all year round.... Smile

My wife say's that I think more of my Koi than I do her.. Crazy

I think she is right Smile

LOL.

Does any one else have the same problem..... Cool

. Colin...............................

SMW1
Koi Kichi

Apr 17, 2002, 7:29 PM

Post #19 of 55 (7832 views)
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Re: [Arcen] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

You are not alone Colin, my other half says that she has to make an appointment with me to go shopping to to go out to a movie or drink etc. Especially on weekends as I'm always working for the koi's.

Just for reference, In the UK where the temp drops below 10 oC for a few months over the Christmas period. Allot of people who do not heat thier ponds, do not feed their koi at all. My Dad does not feed his koi from October till march. he has lots of plants in his pond so I suppose they snack when they want to. He has kept this up for 10 years now. He has some jumbo's in their too (70 - 75 cm). Obviously the koi do not grow as quick as in a hot climate.

I feed wheatgerm in Novemeber and Feb three times a week (unless the temp is above 10 C). In December and Jan I feed once a week (weatgerm). Unless the temp is below 0 C (then I dont feed at all). In March they get fed every day with wheatgerm and growth (both nishikoi).

Stuart

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Apr 18, 2002, 5:27 PM

Post #20 of 55 (7815 views)
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Re: [Arcen] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Colin

Good for you that you have a heated pond! Yes, my wife says the same thing. Sly

When I went overseas three weeks ago for a business trip, I called home and after asking her how things are with her, (good thing for me! Cool

) I started asking how the kois are .....you know what I mean, right? Are they eating well, any water problems etc. etc. But thankfully, she too has been smitten by the koi bug and she loves the kois as much as I do now, phew! Wink

Rgds

Johnson

dttk
Senior Member

Apr 18, 2002, 8:51 PM

Post #21 of 55 (7809 views)
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Re: [johnson lee] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wise move Johnson! Wink

Always show concern for the wife first, before anything else!....eventhough your heart may think otherwise! Crazy

Always friendly :)

johnson lee
Koi Kichi

Apr 19, 2002, 11:59 AM

Post #22 of 55 (7795 views)
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Re: [dttk] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yup, Dr Tan

Couldn't agree with you more! After all, it is only kois that I have feelings for and not another woman!! Wink

She is happy that I spend all my weekends at home with the kois and of course with her!

Rgds

Johnson

rake
New User

Jun 23, 2004, 3:17 AM

Post #23 of 55 (7147 views)
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Re: [dttk] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi everyone

Thre are so many pelleted diets on the market all claiing to have a novel ingredient are they just all the same? Can i just feed a high protein summer food and a low protein winter food?

khaku2
Novice

Jun 23, 2004, 4:39 AM

Post #24 of 55 (7141 views)
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Re: [rake] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

feed them crickets during summer months and low protien food during winter months.

Warning : This khaku2 has made a great number of posts in this forum and most of them are posted just for the sake of posting. You may wish to ignore his post if you are not sure whether what he posted is right or wrong.

dttk
Senior Member

Jun 23, 2004, 9:43 AM

Post #25 of 55 (7135 views)
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Re: [rake] Size of pellets. Does it matter? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, you may. High protein for summer and wheatgerm for winter would be fine. Smile

Always friendly :)

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