Koi are creatures of rhythm—sunlight, water temperature, and the changing seasons all shape how they live, move, and, most importantly, eat. Unlike your dog or cat, koi can’t just munch 24/7; their metabolism rises and falls with the weather. That means what—and how—you feed them needs to shift like the seasons themselves.
So grab your scoop and thermometer, because it’s time to master the art of koi feeding through the four seasons. From the first wiggly meal of spring to the long fasting nap of winter, here’s how to keep your fish happy, healthy, and gorgeously glowing all year round.
🌸 Spring: Wake-Up Season
As the ice melts and water temperatures creep above 50°F (10°C), your koi begin to stir from their winter hibernation. They’re hungry—but their digestive systems are still sluggish, like someone trying to eat a burrito before their morning coffee.
Feeding Tips for Spring:
- Temperature check first: Don’t feed until your pond consistently stays above 50°F (10°C). Below that, koi can’t digest food properly.
- Start slow: Begin with easily digestible wheat germ-based foods. Feed small amounts once per day.
- Watch the fish, not the calendar: Each koi will “wake up” at its own pace—don’t rush the late sleepers.
- Skip the high-protein pellets: Too rich, too soon can lead to bloating and bacterial issues.
Pro tip: Think of spring feeding like a gentle warm-up after hibernation. You’re priming their system, not throwing them a buffet.
Once the water reaches 60°F (15°C), you can slowly increase feeding frequency to twice a day and introduce some higher-protein pellets—but always watch for leftovers. Koi don’t eat when cold, and uneaten food will rot faster than pond gossip.
☀️ Summer: Feast Mode
Ah, summer—the golden age of koi keeping! The water’s warm, the fish are active, and your pond is bursting with life. This is when koi metabolism hits full speed, and they turn into swimming vacuum cleaners. It’s also your best opportunity to enhance color, growth, and vitality.
Feeding Tips for Summer:
- Feed often, in moderation: 2–4 small meals a day is perfect. Only feed what they can eat in 5 minutes.
- Go for growth and color formulas: Choose high-protein (35–40%) foods with ingredients like fish meal, krill, and spirulina.
- Mix in treats: Fresh peas, watermelon, shrimp, and orange slices add fun and nutrition.
- Keep oxygen levels high: Feeding increases oxygen demand—so make sure your aeration and waterfall are in top form.
Pro tip: Morning and late evening are the best feeding times. Midday heat can reduce oxygen, making digestion harder and feeding riskier.
Summer feeding is all about abundance—but don’t go overboard. Overfeeding = murky water, high ammonia, and fish that get a little too “round.” You want strong, sleek koi, not waterlogged marshmallows.
🍁 Fall: The Wind-Down
As the air cools and leaves begin to swirl, koi instinctively start preparing for winter. Their metabolism slows, and they shift from rapid growth to energy storage. This is your cue to gradually change both what and how much you feed.
Feeding Tips for Fall:
- Switch to wheat germ food: It’s easier to digest and helps koi pack on healthy fat for winter energy reserves.
- Feed less frequently: Drop to once or twice a day as water temps fall below 65°F (18°C).
- Reduce protein: Keep it under 35%. High-protein foods are harder to process in cooler water.
- Stop feeding completely when temps reach 50°F (10°C): Below that, koi can’t digest at all, and uneaten food will spoil your water.
Pro tip: Autumn is your pond’s “battery charging” season. Everything you do now—cleaning filters, trimming plants, and feeding right—sets the stage for a stress-free winter.
❄️ Winter: The Long Nap
When the pond chills below 50°F (10°C), koi metabolism enters hibernation mode. They slow down dramatically, often settling at the bottom in peaceful stillness. It might look eerie, but don’t worry—they’re not sick, just conserving energy.
Feeding Tips for Winter:
- Stop feeding completely: Their digestive system essentially shuts down. Any food at this stage can rot in their gut and cause fatal infections.
- Keep the pond stable: Avoid disturbing koi or stirring up debris. They need calm, oxygenated water and minimal changes.
- Maintain a hole in the ice: Use an air stone or pond heater to keep gas exchange open—but no ice smashing!
- Check occasionally: Look for movement, clear water, and healthy posture (not floating or leaning).
Pro tip: If you just can’t resist feeding, step away from the pellets. Seriously. Your koi don’t need it—they’re fasting champions by nature.
🌿 Bonus: The Temperature Cheat Sheet
Water Temperature
Feeding Type
Feeding Frequency
Below 50°F (10°C)
No feeding
—
50–60°F (10–15°C)
Wheat germ / low-protein
1x daily, small portions
60–75°F (15–24°C)
High-protein / growth food
2–4x daily
75–85°F (24–29°C)
Color-enhancing and varied diet
2–3x daily, avoid hottest part of day
Feeding koi is more than just tossing pellets—it’s a year-round rhythm that follows the seasons. In spring, you wake them gently. In summer, you fuel their energy and growth. In fall, you help them prepare for rest. And in winter, you let nature take over while your koi dream beneath the ice.
Feed with the thermometer, not the calendar. When you match your koi’s meals to the changing seasons, you’ll have healthier fish, clearer water, and a pond that thrives in perfect balance—all year long.
And when those lazy koi finally rise from their winter nap in spring, tails wagging and eyes gleaming—you’ll know you fed them right.