Food for Pond Fish

There are many pond fish--some of the most popular are koi, goldfish and shubunkin. Most pond fish can grow pretty large and can have hefty appetites. They enjoy algae that grows naturally but that alone is not sufficient, especially for larger fish. A variety of foods can keep fish healthy and less finicky.

  1. Flake Food

    • Flake foods vary in ingredients but are usually made of fish meal, shrimp meal, vitamins and other nutrients that will help enhance health and coloring. There are flake foods that can by eaten by more than one type of fish, minimizing the need for multiple foods. Flakes should be dispersed in sufficient amounts so that the food is eaten in its entirety and remnants aren't left over. Overusing flake food can cut down on water quality.

    Live Foods

    • Treat your fish by feeding them live food periodically. Freshwater shrimp and earthworms are enjoyed by pond fish and serve as a great source of protein in addition to algae and other vegetation. You can purchase live foods such as shrimp and earthworms at your local pet shop. The worms can usually be found in the reptile section and the shrimp are sold in the fish section.

    Vegetation/Fruit

    • Pond fish enjoy a variety of aquatic plants and can also be fed vegetables such as lettuce and blanched vegetables such as zucchini and carrots. Blanching--by boiling vegetables briefly for about 1 to 2 minutes--softens the texture. Aquatic plants like anacharis and parrot feather are suitable as pond plants for your fish to nibble at. These plants can be bought at your local pet shop and are tropical, so they aren't naturally found in any local lake or ponds.

      Soft fruits such as grapefruit, watermelon and oranges can be cut into small pieces and fed a few times a month to provide vitamins and serve as an occasional treat. Before feeding fruit, wash the fruit thoroughly to remove any pesticides. If the fruit has seeds, remove them. After the koi feed, remove any skin remaining from the fruit to prevent soiling of the water and clogging of the filter.

    Pellets

    • Pellets or food sticks are made from wheat germ, spirulina and are also available in mixed shrimp or krill combination pellets. These pellets are a hard food that sinks in the ponds and softens before the fish eat it. Using vegetation-based pellets as well as meat-based pellets will provide a good balance of nutrition for your pond fish and are not as messy as fish flakes.

    Freeze-Dried Foods

    • Freeze-dried shrimp, earthworms and larvae are available for those who don't like to deal with live foods and are easier to preserve. These foods can be a little more expensive but they do not sink, allowing you to monitor your fish's consumption of them and adjust feeding amounts. This is a good source of protein and ideal for people who are squeamish around insects.