that is the Question.......... Should you feed Koi in winter?

By answering the 6 most frequently asked questions regarding feeding koi in winter, this video will give you all the information you need to get your treasured living jewels through the cold winter months safely and in pristine condition.
1. If I feed in winter will the food rot and kill my Koi?
2. What happens to Koi in colder water and why do their feeding habits change?
3. Do Koi hibernate?
4. Should you feed your Koi in winter?
5. At what temperatures can you safely feed your Koi?
6. If I do feed them, what food should I feed?
Bonus question, What can I safely turn off in Winter?
Weather or not to feed koi and pond fish in winter is a much debated topic. In this video I talk about my experience and my advice for anyone coming up to winter with a koi pond.
Daz
Check out my website at www.dazzlekoi.com/
The correct salt to use to treat your koi amzn.to/3I98YoG
Hikari friend Koi food amzn.to/3H4n4WZ
Kusuri topical treatment for koi that I recommend amzn.to/3JDUJZd
Acriflavin bacterial treatment amzn.to/3p17ipG
NT Labs Koi paramedic kit amzn.to/33FxEpO
If you enjoy the video and find it useful please hit the like button and don't forget to subscribe to my channel here rb.gy/dp57so for more content on this wonderful hobby.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @dazzlekoi
#koi #koipond #fishpond #dazzlekoi #japanesekoi #qualitynishikigoi #pondbuild #koipondfilter

[@richardiasparo5026]

We get temps below freezing in new york so i turn off my waterfall and the shower. I keep the drum filter going all year. The reason not to feed is there is very little good bacteria to break down the amonia in the winter. Thats the main reason i don't feed.

[@jeremymanning2132]

Another brilliant video Daz. Last year was my first winter keeping Koi, always kept native species before and still had 2 Chub in my pond. These chub eat voraciously all year round. In the winter when I fed them I noticed that their feeding activity seemed to spark feeding in the koi. Even on really cold frosty days they would come up and take the odd pellet or two. I have heard people saying I should stop feeding below 10 degrees and I don't agree! It's so good to listen to your advice which comes from years of experience. A newbie like me gains so much from your videos and dispels a lot of the bad advice I hear elsewhere! Big thumbs up mate. 👍

[@gerritdevos4707]

You have done it again Dazzle. Another great video. If you do not know how to keep water, do not try to keep koi, meaning that the part that is not written anywere is the most important part of this video. If that makes sense. Hikari Weatgerm is the best! Spring is the most difficult time of the year for your koi. But if they are fed through winter there immune systems would be stronger and they would be able to cope better with spring. That is my opinion. You asked a question about the biggest waste of money in the hobby. I would say: Holding on to koi that does not fit in with the goal that you have for your pond. Lastly, your koi grow like monsters.

[@goplanit]

I've had koi on and off for 45 years, if they want food in winter I feed them, I've never had a koi die. I carp fish, I catch them in winter because they eat. Leaving it untouched is probably the best advice in this video as far as I'm concerned.

[@andrewmason2879]

I feed my koi all year round if my koi are hungry they get fed. I feed them multi season and growth saki hikari in the summer. I am not a great believer not feeding them at all if they are looking for food. I just think my be I am wrong but if your fish want to eat and you don’t feed them then your not doing them much good. And there immune system to fight off disease will be even less coming into spring. Not sure if i am right or not on this? Great video mate 👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Andrew, I'm in complete agreement with you. If they are looking to eat then they want to eat and denying them that doesn't seem right to me. Its like saying you know better than mother nature. As you say, immune function etc will all be impacted to some degree.

[@lindosbay]

Yet again, a great video. You are right; there are people who will disagree with you, but what are they keeping fish for? In my opinion, it's often just ego busting bigger is best. I disagree with those thoughts; healthy fish are best. In their efforts to feed, feed, feed, grow, grow, grow, they often bring on the issues that cause so much heart ache. Keep up the good work.

[@Djl19941]

To be honest I wouldn't do trickle in or out due the changes in tap water with metals and chemicals etc. But that's my view on it

[@anthonywatkins2783]

Another very informative video Daz, thank you. 👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks Anthony 🍻🍻🍺🍻🍻

[@carollycett1329]

Nice update Daz some useful information learned a lot from you Stay safe and well

[@waynebrown5852]

Excellent video

[@everythingbutkoi6898]

Another great video, cheers mate

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks pal, much appreciated 🍻

[@anthonyjackson4034]

Great video again and I hope you go from strength to strength. Your koi and water are looking good. Darren, how are your chlorine and chloromine levels after doing approximately 15 % daily water changes. Thank you and good luck🍻

[@keepingitkoi]

As always bud some great advice 👍

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers mate, appreciate that 👍👍

[@davidcook380]

Great Stuff Daz

[@DazzleKoi]

Thanks David 🍻🍺🍻

[@kenn3875]

Darren great video again

[@DazzleKoi]

Cheers mate 🍻🍺🍻

[@koikarma5363]

Good info mate 👍👍💯💯

[@richardbrunton2068]

Cheers daz👍

[@MikeZak101]

think i must live in the Mediterranean part of the UK, ponds still at 17.5c with the heater off

[@CescaTheDarkHorse]

Nice video 📹 enjoyed watching 👀

[@keith.morgan]

Love your channel, very straightforward honest advice, never heated my pond here and never had a problem ( bit warmer I guess in Kent), as you say look at the fish and they will tell you how they feel. I honestly think this hobby is getting too technical these days and people worry too much. Stick to the basics

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Hi, so sorry for not replying to you, I've had an issue with comments and I've missed loads of them 😒 It is a bit warmer down in Kent for sure but its not a HUGE difference. I love it down there, so many great dealers. I remember about 15 years ago I couldn't afford a buying trip to Japan so me, my wife and my daughter went to Kent instead. Camped down there and visited 4 breeders over a couple of days. I dont have the house now with the pond I had then but I know the new owner still has a couple of the koi I bought on that trip.

[@jackwang9715]

Great video! What is your feeding ratio of winter vs summer ?

[@JMacFlyFishing]

Thanks

[@askme5111]

Another exceptional detailed information video.... THANK YOU. simply outstanding videos delivered by yourself. Could you please 🙏 inform me where you purchased the clear Polyurophone sides and black uprights the clear panels slide into. Thank you 😊

[@LauMagroTheFrenchKOInection]

Good video Daz. Hope you are keeping well and things are going forward your end. The chag has developed nicely. Really nice body.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Hi, so sorry for not replying to you, I've had an issue with comments and I've missed loads of them 😒 Many more good days than bad now Lau, just the odd blip but I've learned that its only temporary. How are you?

[@westbromkoi]

Great video mate. I'm seeing more and more people saying that we should follow mother nature. I guess if we're observing our koi and their eco system the way we should, they'll tell us what we need to know rather than going off numbers on a thermometer or 'doing what we've always done'. I know one guy who stops feeding end of this month and doesn't restart till April 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Hi, so sorry for not replying to you, I've had an issue with comments and I've missed loads of them 😒 That's a mighty long time without eating 😮

[@andrewjames3908]

Learnt so much from your videos thanks.Be interested to hear your views on covering/not covering over winter?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Hi, so sorry for not replying to you, I've had an issue with comments and I've missed loads of them 😒 I'm not a fan to be honest, I've never covered a pond at all. That said, as long as you have a window and can observe them every single day I dont see an issue, particularly if you heat your pond. You will deny them vital UV light but if you keep it short and take the covers off regularly you should be fine. Always leave a hole somewhere for gas exchange to.

[@darrenpallett3514]

Hi Dazzle, Very interesting do you cover your pond to try to hold the temperature up. If you do do you also insulate your window

[@gavindring6959]

ive all ways through the fish know best i

[@JMacFlyFishing]

Great video mate. I totally agree 👍🏻 my koi pond is currently 10°C and my koi are ravenous and still super active. 👌

[@DazzleKoi]

Hello mate, hows things?

[@JMacFlyFishing]

@@DazzleKoi I'm good thanks Daz, how's things with you? Your koi are looking great 👍🏻 I'm planning on going to Japan next year, not sure if I want to go at the start of the year or the harvest? Are you going?

[@DazzleKoi]

Not bad mate, still seem to just be in a bit of limbo so I'm neither happy or unhappy to be honest. I wouldn't mind getting over there actually but it will depend how things pan out. I'd probably be looking at this time next year if I do go. Finances will be a big factor for me.

[@JMacFlyFishing]

@@DazzleKoi you will get there mate. Im currently in the same situation although I feel like I'm coming through it now. Just takes time. Let me know if you can make it and I will go for Autumn harvest 😎👍🏻

[@DazzleKoi]

Sorry to hear that mate. I've been so tied up in me and my problems for 12 months now that I haven't been to aware of others and their own struggles. Hope all is well 👍👍

[@philnayler7156]

Another great video fella, just wondering what your thoughts are around the perception of adding garlic to koi food in lower water temperature? I first did this last year and although it appears that my koi liked the smell/ taste whatever…. Reducing the risk of parasites it seamed not to have much noticeable affect!!!!

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Hi, so sorry for not replying to you, I've had an issue with comments and I've missed loads of them 😒 I'll be honest, this has been talked up for about 25 years that I can remember and I honestly don't know if there is anything in it mate. I have never seen any scientific literature to back it up but likewise, I've never seen any to disprove it. In humans its a fact that people who eat a Mediterranean diet live longer so it could well be the garlic that is responsible but equally I believe the olive oil is considered responsible.

[@tinawilliams4284]

I’m still feeding all season and wheatgerm pond temp still at 13.5 degrees koi seem a bit slower to rise but they eat enthusiastically eating ,all good , so far still haven’t managed to cure the leak ,very annoying !

[@markcaplan]

Always learning from you. Much appreciated. Refurbished pond one month in and I am going to keep everything on and clean filters daily. All makes sense and fish very healthy and eating well. Do you think pond gel will be needed coming out of winter to boost the bacteria?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Mark, I wouldn't say it was needed but it wont do any harm other than the cost. Bacteria lie dormant over winter and the weak die so in spring they need to kick back in to full production mode. Because the water warms gradually and the food increases gradually they usually go hand in and you dont get issues with ammonia or nitrite.

[@earmuff11]

Barry Thompson 0 seconds ago Great video and very timely. How do you protect your fish from predators such as Crane birds. They have almost wiped out my fish about 4 to 5" in length. Got a net now but it looks unslightly.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Barry, we only have herons here so I just have the glass around the sides and a length of fishing line along the front. If they can't stand very close to the edge or in the water they can't get at the fish. If you have more predators, otters, mink, birds of prey etc, I think you really need netting of some form to create a physical barrier.

[@Dave_Lefever]

Great informative vlog. What is your opinion on keeping heat in the pound going through the Winter? Do koi need a period of cold either for breeding purposes or for their general health?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Dave, this is a long and complex subject, I think I may do a video on it actually. In short, yes, they definitely need a winter period as all their biological processes are triggered by temperature, photoperiod etc. I also dont see much growth over winter even when heated to elevated temperatures. Also, the summer following the heated winter period tends to see less growth in my experience. I dont heat now, I have in the past. If I had the money I would use a heater to keep the minimum from dropping below 5C but other than that I'm happy to let nature take its course now. I'm in the UK so other climates will be different.

[@Dave_Lefever]

@@DazzleKoi Thanks Dazzle. I'll look forward to the video if you do one.

[@deanhargreaves5958]

Do you cover the pond over winter or leave it uncovered

[@Chequr_Prostate]

Do you have any preference for your filter return/s entering your pond? Eg. 450mm off the bottom, 450mm below the surface or flowing onto the surface? Do the Koi prefer a current moving in the water course?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Hi, so sorry for not replying to you, I've had an issue with comments and I've missed loads of them 😒 I like to return water over the wall if possible. I think it gives the best circulation and it definitely gives the most free aeration. You can also easily see that your pump(s) is still running. Yes koi do prefer moving water to still and the benefits on body shape and weight are many.

[@rich81090]

My biggest issue is the sturgeon pellets for the sturgeon. They are very high protein and eat it all year round, the koi know this and also eat it all year round quite happily. It has worried a little. Just one question if you turn the uv off everyday when cleaning the filter do you find this wears out the capacitor in the uv to keep turning it back on or wears the bulbs?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Richard, sorry if I said I turn the UV off that was a (what's the verbal version of a typo?). I only turn the pump off when I clean and divert the air from the spindrifter to the eazy pod media. You are correct, turning off a UV does impact on the life of the tube and the ballast inside.

[@johnkolstad3424]

My question is about aeration. I live in Wisconsin in the states,and by Christmas my pond will be iced over. I pull my pumps before freeze up. I only run aereatiors in the winter months. I was told to keep the aeration near the surface so as not to create convection with the water turning over. With the pond iced over the warmer water is at the bottom of the pond. If the aeration is at the bottom of the pond the Koi will be stressed constantly looking for the warmer water?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Hi, so sorry for not replying to you, I've had an issue with comments and I've missed loads of them 😒 I know for a fact that the water temp will be exactly the same throughout the depths in a back yard pond, whether its still or aerated. I haven't heard about a stress issue from koi looking for warm water but I honestly don't think they are that clever to get stressed from thinking mate. I believe they sit at the bottom because it uses less energy than supporting themselves in the water column, not because its warmer.

[@davidbarlow4568]

Another great video, but could you please clarify the amount of fresh water going into your pond, you say that you change 100% per week that seems to be an awful lot. On a previous video that you dedicated to trickle in trickle out systems you said that you change 20% per week, thanks.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi David, to be honest I can't remember exactly what I last set it on as its probably 18 months since I touched it but I have a feeling its close to 100% a week. I will measure it though and get back to you.

[@KoiRun50]

What is your trickle-in rate and do you slow it down in the winter?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Hi, so sorry for not replying to you, I've had an issue with comments and I've missed loads of them 😒 I run it around 80 - 100% a week and its left on all year round. I don't think I've touch the valve for about 2 years to be honest. I want to keep consistency so the system can reach an equilibrium.

[@FredaFlynn2008]

Yes feed bc in the wild carp eat don’t they?

[@DazzleKoi]

They do indeed 👍👍👍

[@rickthedon3006]

How do you maintain good bacteria if you clean filter daily?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Hi, so sorry for not replying to you, I've had an issue with comments and I've missed loads of them 😒 Bacteria live on surfaces so you don't lose them when you flush a K1 type filter such as nexus, pod, bead etc

[@daveanderson3768]

I am confused about the definition of lower protein because some of the so called winter feeds have the same or higher protein content than products being sold as summer feed. If you compare Hikari Wheatgerm(winter) with Hikari Friend (summer) the wheatgerm has slightly more protein with the other parts (ash, fat, fibre etc) being virtually identical which seems to defy logic & actually there is so little difference they could be the same product. Of those on the market I have found one product with a protein level of 20 with most others being 30 or more. It would be easy to forget that there are also naturally occurring sources of food in any pond for the fish to pick at when not fed by us all so in most cases a break in feeding will not do much harm.

[@atsuminaoki9910]

For many years in the UK, the only option was to continue feeding during the winter months due to the insufficient amount of feed and lack of associated nutrient build-up during the feeding season. Interruption of feeding during the winter months may be an option, depending on how the KOIs were kept during the summer months. Incidentally, probably 70-80% of people in Japan stop feeding. Judging by the shape of your KOI this year, especially by the rise of the back from the shoulders and the flesh of the waist, (last year there was unnecessary fat content in the chest area, but this year it has disappeared!) you can fully expect to interrupt feeding and gain the benefits that come with it, can't you?

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi Hi, so sorry for not replying to you, I've had an issue with comments and I've missed loads of them 😒 Long time no speak Sir, how are you?

[@crazyt9]

Tortoise are cold blooded and hibernate. There are cold blooded species that hibernate. But yes koi do not hibernate.

[@DazzleKoi]

Hi mate, no cold blooded animal is capable of hibernation. It's a very common misconception that tortoise and other similar reptiles hibernate but in fact they go in to Brumation. It is different, for example, during brumation an animal will wake on warmer days and seek out water etc. In true hibernation, for warm blooded animals, that doesn't happen. There are other differences to.