What is the big deal about water temperature and feeding my koi?
The digestive system of the koi slows down with the colder water temperature therefore your koi can not digest some food as well. Once your pond water temperature has dropped down to 65F, it is best to use a wheat germ or cold weather food. You will need to reduce your koi feeding when the water temperature drops below 65F. Once the water temperature gets down to 55F, it is best to stop feeding them or reduce to very little food. Your koi will let you know when to stop feeding them complete, for they will not come up to eat. Your koi will begin to get really slow moving and start to settle at the warmest part of your pond bottom. I recommend that you have a thermometer in your pond so you will know what the water temperature reading is at. I use a non floating thermometer which is tied to the edge of my pond in a non conspicuous location. I use the non floating thermometer because I want to know the temperature near the bottom of my pond where the temperature is more stable.
The digestive system of the koi slows down with the colder water temperature therefore your koi can not digest some food as well. Once your pond water temperature has dropped down to 65F, it is best to use a wheat germ or cold weather food. You will need to reduce your koi feeding when the water temperature drops to 65F. Once the water temperature gets down to 55F, it is best to stop feeding them. Your koi will begin to get really slow moving and start to settle at the warmest part of your pond bottom. I recommend that you have a thermometer in your pond so you will know what the water temperature reading is at. I use a non floating thermometer which is tied to the edge of my pond in a non conspicuous location. I use the non floating thermometer because I want to know the temperature near the bottom of my pond where the temperature is more stable.
