Feeding pond fish is an important part of maintaining healthy fish growth. Proper nutrition keeps fish active, allows them to grow, enhances coloring, and boosts the immune system to fight disease. Underfeeding can lead to stunted growth, increased aggression, and potentially death. Overfeeding pollutes the water, causes algae overgrowth, and can kill fish.
Every pond contains a delicate ecosystem that requires balance. Fish eat insects, zooplankton, phytoplankton, and other natural food sources in the pond. But most ponds need supplemental feeding to fully nourish the fish. Additional feeding becomes even more critical with higher fish loads or when natural food sources are lacking.
Providing a nutritionally balanced fish diet ensures your pond stays clean and clear while the fish remain healthy. This allows you to fully enjoy the beauty and serenity a pond brings to your landscape. Monitoring fish behavior and water quality will help determine optimal feeding amounts over time.
Types of Pond Fish Food
There are three main types of fish food commonly used for pond fish: pellet food, flake food, and live food.
1) Pellet Food
Pellet food, also called floating pellets, is a popular choice for pond fish. The pellets float on the surface of the water, making it easy for fish to find and eat them. Pellet foods often contain a blend of ingredients like fish meal, wheat flour, soybean meal, and vitamins and minerals. The ingredients are compressed into small pellets.
Pellet foods are nutritionally balanced for optimal fish health. The pellets help prevent fish from picking out only their favorite ingredients. The round shape and floating capability also appeal to fish. Many pond owners choose pellet food for daily feedings. Some popular pellet food brands include TetraPond, Omega One, and Hikari.
2) Flake Food
Flake foods consist of dried food ingredients compressed into flat flakes. The flakes quickly break apart when they hit the water. This helps distribute the food over a wider area for more fish to access it. Flakes are commonly made from ingredients like fish and shrimp meal, whole grains, spirulina, kelp, and additional nutrients.
Flake foods allow pickier eaters to avoid ingredients they dislike. The rapid dispersion of flakes also suits fast, competitive fish that race for food. Some brands to consider for flake foods are Tetra Pond, Hikari, and Aquascape. Flakes make a good supplementary food a few times per week.
3) Live Foods
Live foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and blackworms appeal to fish’s natural hunting instincts. The movement of live prey triggers excitement and stimulation for pond fish. Live foods also contain enzymes and nutrients often missing from freeze-dried prepared foods. Many pet stores sell live blackworms, tubifex worms, and brine shrimp.
However, live foods come with some downsides. They can introduce parasites or bacteria into the water. Live organisms also quickly foul water as they die off. Live foods should be fed in moderation, no more than once or twice a week.
Nutritional Requirements for Fish
Fish require balanced nutrition to stay healthy just like any other animal. When feeding pond fish, it’s important to provide a diet that meets their nutritional needs. The three primary nutrients to focus on are:
1) Protein
Protein is essential for fish growth and development. Fish use protein for building muscle, enzymes, hormones, and more. Herbivore fish need around 32-38% protein while carnivorous fish require 40-50% protein in their diet. Fish meal, shrimp meal, earthworms, and larvae are excellent sources of protein.
Related: Plants and Animal Protein Sources in Livestock Feed
2) Vitamins
Vitamins support vital bodily functions in fish. Vitamin C boosts their immune system. Vitamin A is crucial for vision, bone development, and skin and fin tissue. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium for healthy bones and scales. Vitamin E protects cell membranes. Vitamin K aids in blood clotting. Vegetables, fruit, algae, and specialty vitamin mixes provide essential vitamins.
3) Fats
Fats provide fish with energy and fatty acids. Both plant and animal sources work. Fish oil, soybean oil, and canola oil offer omega-3 fatty acids to promote fish health. Crude fat should make up 8 – 12% of herbivore fish diets and 15 – 20% of carnivores. Excess fat can cause issues so moderation is key.
Following a balanced diet with adequate protein, vitamins, and fats allows pond fish to thrive. It’s important to choose quality foods that meet their nutritional requirements.
Bulk Fish Foods for Specific Fish
Different pond fish have different nutritional needs. When selecting bulk fish food, it’s important to consider the types of fish in your pond.
1) Koi
Koi are omnivorous fish that thrive on a varied diet. Good koi foods include:
- High-quality koi pellets with 30-40% protein content
- Vegetable matter like spinach, romaine lettuce, and peas
- Live foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and insect larvae
- Sinking pellets that sink slowly to mimic natural feeding
Quality koi pellets provide balanced nutrition. Supplement with vegetables for fiber and live foods for enrichment.
2) Goldfish
Goldfish are omnivores that need both plant and animal matter. Recommended goldfish foods:
- Sinking goldfish pellets with 25-35% protein
- Greens like romaine, spinach, and kale
- Frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia
- Vegetables like shelled peas, zucchini, sweet potato
Goldfish pellets give a nutritional base. Supplement with fiber-rich greens and protein from frozen foods.
3) Catfish
Catfish are primarily carnivores that need high-protein foods like:
- Sinking catfish pellets with 32-45% protein
- Live foods like minnows, crickets, mealworms
- Frozen fish, shellfish, krill, and insect larvae
- Prepared catfish feeds and gel foods
Quality sinking pellets provide complete nutrition for catfish. Supplement with live or frozen foods for enrichment.
Related: Foods That Catfish Eat in The Wild and Captivity
How Much to Feed Fish
When it comes to feeding pond fish, how much you feed depends on the type and size of fish, water temperature, and more. Here are some general guidelines:
– For smaller fish like goldfish and koi under 6 inches, feed 1-2% of their body weight per day. Larger koi 6-12 inches need 1-1.5% of body weight. Jumbo koi over 12 inches do fine with 0.75-1% of body weight.
– During warm summer months with water temps over 70°F, fish metabolism increases so they need more food. You can increase feeding amount by 10-20% in summer.
– In cold winter months with water under 50°F, reduce feeding to once every 2-3 days and feed 75% less than summer portions. Their digestion slows down in cold water.
– For a mixed pond with different sizes and species, determine amounts based on the biggest fish. The smaller fish will eat any leftover food.
It’s important not to overfeed your pond fish. Uneaten food will sink and decompose, dirtying the water. Overfeeding can also lead to fat fish and water quality issues. Observe your fish-eating habits and adjust amounts accordingly. The fish should consume all food within 2-3 minutes. Any food remaining means you’re feeding too much.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Fish
When feeding pond fish, certain foods should be avoided as they can be harmful. Two foods in particular that owners should never give their pond fish are human table scraps and bread.
1) Human Table Scraps
It can be tempting to toss your fish food scraps from meals, such as vegetables, meat, rice, or pasta. However, human table scraps should never be fed to pond fish.
Human foods often contain added ingredients like seasoning and oils that can be damaging to fish. Table scraps also break down rapidly in water and can lead to poor water quality. They may also introduce growth-stunting hormones and contaminants into the pond that can make fish ill.
2) Bread
Bread is another common food that many pond owners mistakenly feed their fish. However, bread provides very little nutritional value to fish and can cause health issues.
As bread breaks down in the water, it clouds the water and enables rapid bacteria and algae growth. The simple carbohydrates in bread can also cause digestive problems in fish when fed in excess. For optimum health, nutrition, and water quality, bread should never be part of a fish’s diet.
How To Store Fish Food
Properly storing fish food is important to maintain freshness and nutritional value. Fish food should be kept in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Heat and moisture can cause fish food to spoil faster.
An airtight container is ideal for storing bulk fish food. This prevents moisture from getting in and keeps pests out. Plastic buckets with tight lids work well for large amounts of food. The container should be washed and completely dried before adding new fish food.
If you have bags of fish food, roll them down tightly after opening them and use a clip to seal them. Only open one bag at a time to limit air exposure. Store unopened bags in their original packaging in a cool location.
Check expiration dates on fish food bags to make sure they are still fresh. Fish food can lose vitamin content after the expiration date. Discard any food that smells musty, is discolored, clumpy, or shows signs of bugs.
Rotate stock and use older food first to prevent waste. With proper storage, most quality fish foods stay nutritious for many months past the expiration date. But for optimal nutrition, use fish food within 6 months after opening.
Where to Buy Bulk Fish Food
When buying bulk quantities of fish food for your pond, you have two main options – purchasing online or shopping at a local pet store. Both options have their pros and cons.
1) Online Retailers
Buying pond fish food online offers convenience and usually the lowest prices when purchasing in bulk. Many online retailers specialize in pond supplies and fish care products that offer bulk bags of koi food, goldfish food, and food for other pond fish.
Some popular websites to buy bulk fish food include:
– Amazon: Offers a wide selection of brands and store-brand bulk fish foods that can be ordered online and shipped directly to your door.
– Chewy: Known for pet supplies, Chewy has an assortment of bulk pond fish food from brands like API and TetraPond. Free shipping is available on orders over $49.
– PetMountain: This specialty aquatic retailer sells pond fish food in bulk sizes up to 40 lbs. They offer free shipping on orders over $49.
The benefit of ordering bulk fish food online is the convenience of home delivery and competitive pricing. Make sure to factor in shipping costs when comparing prices between sites.
2) Local Pet Stores
Visiting a local pet store is another option for purchasing large quantities of pond food in person. Big box stores like PetSmart and Petco have a decent selection of pond supplies, including bags of fish food from brands like TetraPond and Hikari.
The advantage of buying locally is you can inspect the packaging and manufacturing date on the fish food before purchasing. You also avoid paying shipping costs. However, local stores tend to charge higher prices than online retailers. Call ahead to check bulk fish food inventory and pricing at stores near you.
Whether you choose to buy online or shop locally, look for reputable brands marked for pond fish. Make sure the food is not expired and is appropriate for the species of fish in your pond. Buying in bulk will save you money in the long run.
In almost all situations, purchasing fish food in bulk-sized bags and rationing it out as needed provides significant cost savings compared to continually buying small bags. Check the price per pound and focus on the bulk options to get quality food at a lower price.