Page 319 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

FOOD AND FEEDING 317

TYPES OF FOOD
Prepared coldwater fish foods contain a
cereal base, with additional ingredients to
enhance color, aid digestion, or encourage
growth. It is important to choose the most
appropriate foods for all species of fish in
the pond; for example, make sure there
is food available that is suitable for Frozen food tablets are prepackaged
the smallest species, to ensure that and should be defrosted before
no fish will starve. they are given to the fish.

Koi carp are well equipped to locate food. They rely on their
eyesight and also on the sensory barbels around their mouths, Sticks are available in Pellets are suitable for Flakes float on the
which they use like feelers to search for food in the substrate. floating and sinking medium-sized pond surface of the pond
varieties and are fish and are produced and then sink. They
suitable for koi and in varieties that either are ideal for smaller
are a more expensive treat and can be given by hand. They other large pond fish. float or sink. coldwater species.
must be defrosted before they are offered to the fish. Most
pond fish will also eat brown bread rolled into small balls.
Koi eat a surprising range of foods. One of the most Automatic feeders dispense dry foods in
predetermined quantities at regular intervals.
unusual is garlic, which may bring health benefits to the fish, The feeding interval can be altered easily, and
since it has antiseptic qualities. It should be finely chopped before the feeder will keep the food dry if it rains.
it is given to the fish, or it can be rubbed on the surface of Special color foods help maintain and
unfamiliar foods to encourage koi to eat them. They will also enhance the color of goldfish, koi, and other
feed on slices of orange; this provides a valuable source of coldwater fish. These foods typically include
vitamin C, which can boost the immune system of the fish. significant amounts of shrimp meal and
spirulina algae (Arthrospira platensis), which
The koi will strip the flesh from the peel, which should contain natural coloring agents,
then be removed from the pond. such as beta-carotene.
Seasonal variations
Most fish are ectothermic, which means that their body
temperature is governed by the temperature of the water
around them, so that when the water temperature drops,
a fish’s body temperature also drops. Its ability to digest
and assimilate food then decreases, which consequently
lowers its appetite and activity level. In cold weather,
fish should be offered only small quantities of foods
that can be digested easily, since undigested
food remaining in the gut could cause illness.
The fish should not be fed at all once the
water temperature falls below 50°F (10°C)
because they are completely unable to digest
food at this temperature.
To cater to this variability in requirements, foods
are available with ingredients appropriate to the
seasonal dietary needs of pond fish. For example,
dried foods based on wheat germ, which is easy to
digest, are ideal for use during spring and fall when
the water temperature is lower.

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