In the last guide we went into how long do koi fish live. Today it should be more explicit about nutrition in autumn, when the temperatures drop and the animals become sluggish.

Koi feeding: Depending on the water temperature

Koi are cold-blooded animals, i.e. the temperature around them affects their own activity. Therefore, they become slower and slower in autumn as the temperatures drop. But the temperature not only affects the activity, the metabolism also slows down with the low temperatures. Therefore, the fish in the four seasons (Guide-> Feeding the Koi in the course of the seasons) have different requirements for their food. In addition, the Koi has to build up depots with the autumn food in order to survive the winter and not start too weakly in spring. Another factor in feeding is the decrease in bacterial activity in the pond filter as the temperature drops. This means that the waste products of the Koi are no longer broken down as effectively. All of these things affect how koi are fed in the fall. As a guideline for the temperature at which something changes, you can take a water temperature of 12 degrees.

Ensure better digestibility

The autumn feed has a high proportion of grain and a lower proportion of protein and fat. This makes the feed easier to digest. In addition, the water is less polluted by this feed, as the excretions are lower. A suitable food for this time is the Wheat Germ food from Hikari or AL-Profi. This easily digestible food can be fed up to a water temperature of 6 degrees Celsius without any problems.

In the transition period, it is recommended to give vital food to provide the fish with all the nutrients they need.

Changing temperatures create stress for the koi. It is therefore important that your immune system is strengthened.

Less feeding

With the falling temperature and the decreasing activity, the amount of feed also decreases because the animals eat more slowly. Once or twice a day it is enough to offer Koi food. In late autumn, once every three days is sufficient. Since the animals no longer swim around so actively in the water and with the falling temperatures they are more and more close to the ground, food should be chosen that sinks. If the koi no longer come to the surface of the water, feeding can also be stopped.