How to Tame a Pond Fish

Interacting with the koi or goldfish in your garden pond by hand-feeding them can add another level of enjoyment to the backyard pond experience. Being able to connect closely with the fish can also help you monitor their health and check for illness or injury. Patience is key when working with fish, especially those new to the pond. It can take a fish several weeks to adjust to its new environment.

Things You'll Need

High-quality floating fish food
Small rock

Instructions

- 1
  Buy high-quality floating fish food. Pond Experts recommends Profishent, Dainichi, Tetra and Hikari brands. Other brands are available, but they are often made of fillers and other inexpensive ingredients that are unattractive to fish.
- 2
  Start by standing a few feet from the pond's edge and throw a small amount of food in the pond. Do not move. Wait until fish come to the surface for the food. This can take time for timid fish. Repeat this several times a day for a few days. Use slow, deliberate movements around the pond so that fish become used to your presence. Sudden or jerky movements will startle even tame fish.
- 3
  Move one step closer once fish will feed readily with you standing a few feet from the pond. Toss in the food and don't move until they have surfaced to feed. Stay at this distance and feed the fish for a few days.
- 4
  Continue the process, moving closer each time until you can kneel at the edge of the pond while fish are feeding.
- 5
  Tap a small stone on the edge of the pond before tossing them food. This can serve as a fish dinner bell, signaling that food has arrived.
- 6
  Take some food in your fist and hold it in the water. The scent and flavor of the food will leak out and attract the fish. Release only one pellet of food and let it float. Keep your hand still and don't move until the fish move in close to investigate. Repeat this process for a few days. Once fish are readily swimming to your hand, open it and let them feed.