About feeding a koi
Koi are large pond carp whose feeding is driven by water temperature — their metabolism slows dramatically in cold water, and feeding koi when the pond is cold can be fatal.
How much should a koi eat?
Aquatic feeding is measured as a share of body weight per day, adjusted to the two-minute rule. The chart below uses about 0.8% of body weight daily.
| Body weight | Food per day (~0.8% of body weight) |
|---|---|
| 500 g | 4.0 g/day |
| 2.08333 kg | 17 g/day |
| 3.66667 kg | 29 g/day |
| 5.25 kg | 42 g/day |
| 6.83333 kg | 55 g/day |
| 8.41667 kg | 67 g/day |
| 10 kg | 80 g/day |
What to feed
Koi eat floating pond pellets formulated for the season (wheatgerm in cool water, higher protein in warm water), plus natural pond forage.
How often to feed
Feed to the few-minute rule when water is above ~10°C; stop feeding entirely in cold winter water.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed koi?
Only what they clear in a few minutes, and only when the water is warm enough (above about 10°C). In cold water their digestion nearly stops, so feeding should be reduced or halted.
Should I feed koi in winter?
No — once pond water drops below about 10°C, koi metabolism slows so much that food can rot in the gut. Stop feeding for the cold months and resume as the water warms.
How much should I feed my fish?
Only what they finish in about two minutes, once or twice a day — usually a pinch. As a rule of thumb, most community fish eat around 1-1.5% of body weight daily; large slow fish like goldfish need less.
How often should I feed aquarium fish?
Once or twice a day for most species, with one fasting day per week. Fry and very active small fish need more frequent small feedings.