When hand feeding koi, start with a flavorful and floating koi food that your fish like to eat. Don’t try to entice them to eat something they are unfamiliar with.
Go to the pond at the same time every day to feed. Choose a spot where the water has sufficient depth so your fish can approach the surface from underneath. The location should have calm water, away from waterfalls, bubblers, skimmers and turbulence.
Feed your koi normally for several days, but stay motionless by the pond. Stay there until all food is consumed. Your fish need to gain trust and not be frightened by your presence.
Next , sit very quietly by the pond with little to no movement. When the koi become accustomed to your presence, slowly reach out to dispense some pellets by putting your hand on the pond surface, and then slowly withdrawing your hand. Sit very still. The bravest or hungriest koi will be the first to approach.
When the pellets have all been consumed, slowly extend your hand with more pellets. Do this several times. Then slowly get up and leave. Only offer food when you are at the hand feeding spot. Hunger is a good motivator. Stick to a routine. As your fish learn the routine, they will be eager to participate in the feeding game. As they become hungrier, the more eager they will be. Soon you’ll have them eating out of your hand!
Remember, be patient. Be quiet, calm and consistent. You need to build trust. Don’t rush it. If you don’t have enough time to devote to hand feeding today, skip it. Koi are grazers and nibble most of the time.
Offer food by hand only. Do not give food otherwise. Hunger will encourage the koi to come close to get food.
Try not to be startled when a fish brushes against your hand underwater. This is what you want, remember?
About the Author
Ellen Kloubec and her husband, Myron, began their aquaculture business in 1981. They own Kloubec Koi Farm which consists of 80-acres of mud-ponds.
