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  1. #1
    Junior Member Rank = Fry GaryM's Avatar
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    What size pellets for my koi

    What size pellets do I need to be feeding my koi which range from about 6" to 14", I have previously been feeding them cheap koi sticks but have been told they are not giving them the correct nutrition so I am looking at buying the medikoi pellets



  2. #2
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Gosai jeff68's Avatar
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    Orchard fisheries 4 & 6 mm mixed is brilliant my fish come on great this year on it

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    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Nanasai Fishplanetkoi's Avatar
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    Just get some small pellets, you can feed a bit more when needed. but that way the small fish will digest the food easier.

    Lots of keepers feed the smaller pellet even with big fish, its about the quantity not the size pellet.

    Alternativly, buy some very small pellets and some medium food and mix them, that will cover all options.

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  6. #4
    small koi may struggle with the larger pellets but larger koi can take small pellets easily so feed a size suitable for your smallest koi to ensure they get enough after all its what's in the pellet not how big it is that matters most.

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  8. #5
    According to Yoshikigoi teachings by Jo’s Aben, you should always use small pellets, because they are made dry for storage & to maintain the quality of the product in the pellets.
    But your Koi will get most benefits from being able to digest fully all the contents, & this is best done with a moist pellet.
    Koi have NO stomach, therefore the food/nutrients pass straight through the koi, therefore the extraction of nutrients is best achieved with minimum waste (in your pond) with a pellet that can take up moisture quickly, therefore small is best! Large pellets can’t take up moisture into the centre very quickly, as an example I have a koi that will sit under the autofeeder, & just let the food pour into its mouth, so it doesn’t get to hit the pond surface, large pellets would be like eating four slices of dry toast in one go? But I’m sure you could eat one without trouble.
    Small pellets for me, plus a mix of sinking & floating pellets.


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  10. #6
    Junior Member Rank = Fry GaryM's Avatar
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    Thanks for that, I will go for the smaller pellets

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    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    I am feeding only 4 mm or 4.5mm pellets currently. Gives the smallest guys what they need and slows down the big chagoi a bit when shes trying to rob everyone else blind
    I also add a bit of sinking into the mix to reduce the scrum when the autofeeder goes off a bit.

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  14. #8
    Junior Member Rank = Fry GaryM's Avatar
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    Got some evolution aqua small (3-4mm) pellets today, when I fed them they were taking mouthfuls then spitting them out, both small and larger koi
    Could it be just that they are not used to pellets as I have previously just used sticks?
    Last edited by GaryM; 01-10-2018 at 07:45 AM.

  15. #9
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Nanasai Fishplanetkoi's Avatar
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    I would definitely say it is because the fish are used to the sticks. Maybe the sticks are more tasty, even though they have less nutrition.

    You can either add a few sticks with the pellets as well and then gradually leave them out altogether if you wish. You could also let them go hungry for a day or two, and I'm sure they will eat the pellets after that!

    On the other hand, don't get the idea that all sticks are bad for koi, the cheap ones are obviously not good, but Tetra make a range with quite high protein which are quite dense and not full of air, so you can still feed a few if you want to.

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  17. #10
    Junior Member Rank = Fry GaryM's Avatar
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    Thanks for the advice, I will persevere with them and add a few sticks to start with, then drop them off.
    Should I also be thinking of using wheat germ pellets now?

  18. #11
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Nanasai Fishplanetkoi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GaryM View Post
    Thanks for the advice, I will persevere with them and add a few sticks to start with, then drop them off.
    Should I also be thinking of using wheat germ pellets now?
    Depends on your water temperature, but I imagine that its still around 12 - 14 degrees which is still ok for normal food as long as its not very high protein, but even then if the fish are still active it will be ok and they will easily digest it.

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  20. #12
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    Personally I would bin the sticks (because they tend to be very crap nutritionally) and keep offering the pellets until they get used to them.

  21. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by GaryM View Post
    Got some evolution aqua small (3-4mm) pellets today, when I fed them they were taking mouthfuls then spitting them out, both small and larger koi
    Could it be just that they are not used to pellets as I have previously just used sticks?
    Well - as with humans - hunger is the best Cheff - so stop feeding for two three days and than introduce new pellets to them gradually - your koi will vacuum it all right away.

    Fully agree with Feline on poor quality of the sticks - plus as it is extruded food, you are buying a lot of expensive air inside them - reason, why sticks are sold typically by volume and not weight - contrary to good pellets.

    As for size - smaller digests much better - and if different sizes of fish, mix it up from smaller to bigger pellets - I personally do not go over 5mm in size...

    Just my five cents...

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    You get what you pay for - or better - what you make yourself.

  22. #14
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Gosai Ryda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Feline View Post
    Personally I would bin the sticks (because they tend to be very crap nutritionally) and keep offering the pellets until they get used to them.
    Ah bugger really? I didn't think they were that bad. I brought a large bag of Tetra sticks, two medikoi (health based one and colour based) plus a large bag of flakes this year. Haven't run out (except the flakes) and I only payed £70 for the lot.

    If the sticks are that bad then I suppose its back to pellets

  23. #15
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Nanasai Fishplanetkoi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ryda View Post
    Ah bugger really? I didn't think they were that bad. I brought a large bag of Tetra sticks, two medikoi (health based one and colour based) plus a large bag of flakes this year. Haven't run out (except the flakes) and I only payed £70 for the lot.

    If the sticks are that bad then I suppose its back to pellets
    You will probably notice that the Tetra sticks are much more solid than cheaper sticks, so feeding them along with pellets will certainly do your fish no harm in limited quantities. I often buy small tub of Koi Tetra sticks just to give the fish a change from their normal Saki food, along with mussels, prawns, cockles, brown bread, mealworms etc etc....oh and mine go berserk over a packet of quavers lol, I think its the garlic content in them!! and a well known carp fishing bait additive.

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  25. #16
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Gosai Ryda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fishplanetkoi View Post
    You will probably notice that the Tetra sticks are much more solid than cheaper sticks, so feeding them along with pellets will certainly do your fish no harm in limited quantities. I often buy small tub of Koi Tetra sticks just to give the fish a change from their normal Saki food, along with mussels, prawns, cockles, brown bread, mealworms etc etc....oh and mine go berserk over a packet of quavers lol, I think its the garlic content in them!! and a well known carp fishing bait additive.
    Good to hear! This year I've usually fed them Tetra sticks in the morning, and pellets/treats in the afternoon. Completely forgot to buy them shrimps this year. Thats a new years resolution now

 

 

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