I've gone through almost 20 pounds of Sho Koi this season. Haven't had a
frost yet and the 7 day forecast is showing temperatures in the mid 80s.
I'm wavering on whether or not to place another fish food winter before
it gets cold. I've read over the years of folks feeding Cheerios in the
spring as a "first food" when the temperatures a just beginning to warm.

Anyone else do this?

What about feeding frozen peas this time of year?

Just looking for some advice/opinions.

TIA

JB

As I remember, the food goes through the koi quickly. I would guess
most anything would work in the short run...even nothing as they will
eat algae. Another order for a small time could certainly end up
wasting food.

Around here we have fed our koi catfish/trout food for about 15
years. They are doing well and growing. I recognize that folk differ
A LOT about the OK-ness of doing that. Years ago it was pointed out
to me that catfish food could cut their lifespan by 20% as they could
get fatty livers. Our koi are the inexpensive kind (Pet Smart, Wal-
Mart and donations from friends). I am scot enough that I hate to
spend a ton of money for 10 fish worth $4 each. Catfish food has gone
from $11 per 50# sack to $13 per 50# sack. A sack lasts a season more
or less. The koi can last 100 years! 20% would still put their life
spans way beyond ours (Phyllis and I are 66).

On 10/18/2011 9:36 AM, Phyllis and Jim wrote:
As I remember, the food goes through the koi quickly. I would guess
most anything would work in the short run...even nothing as they will
eat algae. Another order for a small time could certainly end up
wasting food.

Around here we have fed our koi catfish/trout food for about 15
years. They are doing well and growing. I recognize that folk differ
A LOT about the OK-ness of doing that. Years ago it was pointed out
to me that catfish food could cut their lifespan by 20% as they could
get fatty livers. Our koi are the inexpensive kind (Pet Smart, Wal-
Mart and donations from friends). I am scot enough that I hate to
spend a ton of money for 10 fish worth $4 each. Catfish food has gone
from $11 per 50# sack to $13 per 50# sack. A sack lasts a season more
or less. The koi can last 100 years! 20% would still put their life
spans way beyond ours (Phyllis and I are 66).

Yes, you're right. We've had long debates about which food is best. I
can't argue with your logic. ~jan feeds Show Koi, as do I. She's had
fish eaten by a heron; I've seen the videos. How do you factor that into
your computations about food costs and fish longevity?!

Got the season's first freeze warning tonight. Fish are going to slow
way down from this point forward.

"JB" wrote in message
...
On 10/18/2011 9:36 AM, Phyllis and Jim wrote:
As I remember, the food goes through the koi quickly. I would guess
most anything would work in the short run...even nothing as they will
eat algae. Another order for a small time could certainly end up
wasting food.

Around here we have fed our koi catfish/trout food for about 15
years. They are doing well and growing. I recognize that folk differ
A LOT about the OK-ness of doing that. Years ago it was pointed out
to me that catfish food could cut their lifespan by 20% as they could
get fatty livers. Our koi are the inexpensive kind (Pet Smart, Wal-
Mart and donations from friends). I am scot enough that I hate to
spend a ton of money for 10 fish worth $4 each. Catfish food has gone
from $11 per 50# sack to $13 per 50# sack. A sack lasts a season more
or less. The koi can last 100 years! 20% would still put their life
spans way beyond ours (Phyllis and I are 66).

Yes, you're right. We've had long debates about which food is best. I
can't argue with your logic. ~jan feeds Show Koi, as do I. She's had fish
eaten by a heron; I've seen the videos. How do you factor that into your
computations about food costs and fish longevity?!

Got the season's first freeze warning tonight. Fish are going to slow way
down from this point forward.
================================================== ============================================

i've seen japanese feed their Koi with rice, which the fish love. especially
brown (wholegrain) rice.

On Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:14:47 EDT, JB wrote:

On 10/18/2011 9:36 AM, Phyllis and Jim wrote:
As I remember, the food goes through the koi quickly. I would guess
most anything would work in the short run...even nothing as they will
eat algae. Another order for a small time could certainly end up
wasting food.

Around here we have fed our koi catfish/trout food for about 15
years. They are doing well and growing. I recognize that folk differ
A LOT about the OK-ness of doing that. Years ago it was pointed out
to me that catfish food could cut their lifespan by 20% as they could
get fatty livers. Our koi are the inexpensive kind (Pet Smart, Wal-
Mart and donations from friends). I am scot enough that I hate to
spend a ton of money for 10 fish worth $4 each. Catfish food has gone
from $11 per 50# sack to $13 per 50# sack. A sack lasts a season more
or less. The koi can last 100 years! 20% would still put their life
spans way beyond ours (Phyllis and I are 66).

The only thing is.... as a koi gets bigger it becomes worth more.... so...
a lot also depends on how big the pond is, does it have vegetation for them
to feed on, that will cover the lack of best nutrition in a less costly
food. Because of their size many of my BF koi are worth 10 times what I
paid for them if I were to see a similar koi at a dealer. Thus the need to
keep them as healthy as possible.

Yes, you're right. We've had long debates about which food is best. I
can't argue with your logic. ~jan feeds Show Koi, as do I. She's had
fish eaten by a heron; I've seen the videos. How do you factor that into
your computations about food costs and fish longevity?!

LOL! I think when a raccoon or heron takes a fish, one would be glad they
fed them cheap. The raccoons took one that still makes me sick today to
think about, the heron took one with koi pox, and I wasn't quite as
attached to it for that reason.

Got the season's first freeze warning tonight. Fish are going to slow
way down from this point forward.

I continued to feed the Sho Koi up until last weekend when I covered the
ponds. Just in time too as we had our first frost this week. The by-pass DS
did for me is working great, still have the high-volume pump on and will
probably go to slow flow this coming weekend. I am hoping to get the
pre-filter cleaned this weekend and then I can rest pond wise. Oh wait...
the lily pond needs it's filter cleaned out.... s

Bonsai need to be dug in and winter fertilizer put on the lawn... most
likely next weekend, then is will be raking leaves and using the mower as
needed/weather permitting. ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us