How to Feed Pond Slider Turtles and Koi

Pond slider turtles and koi fish are omnivore pets with specific feeding requirements. Both these pets can live for more than 60 years. Slider turtles can grow up to 12 inches, while koi can reach as much as 35 inches. Slider turtles and koi can coexist in a pond as long as it's large enough. If it's not big enough to house both, you might notice an increase of injuries to your koi. Slider turtles will eat small fish and nip the fins of larger fish. It is also necessary to feed your turtles and koi correctly to ensure healthy pets. Overfeeding is a big factor in premature death.

Things You'll Need

  • Feeder fish
  • Feeder insects
  • Leafy greens
  • Pond filter
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Instructions

  1. How to Feed Your Pond Slider Turtle

    • 1

      Place bite-sized pieces of vegetables (collard or mustard greens, bok choy or kale) and feeder items (mealworms, bloodworms, crickets) on a flat rock for your turtle. Placing food on a rock prevents your koi from eating your turtle's food, although the turtle is most likely to haul its food into the water. You can also occasionally feed your turtle chopped fruits such as strawberries, bananas and apples, but use them sparingly since they are not a staple in the turtle's diet. Remove any remaining food from the rock after five minutes, although feeder fish may be left in the pond.

    • 2

      Monitor your turtle from afar as it eats. If your turtle is a new pet, it may shy away from eating in front of you. Feed hatchlings and young adult turtles daily, and feed adult turtles every other day. Do not overfeed your turtle. Some rules of thumb: Feed it as much as it consumes in 15 minutes, or serve it meals that are about the same size as its head and neck.

    • 3

      Make sure your turtle is not becoming overweight. If there are folds of skin developing around the legs, it is getting too heavy and you must limit the amount you feed it. If your turtle is "begging" for food or is overly hungry, feed it leafy vegetables instead of pellets or meat products.

    How to Feed Koi Fish

    • 4
      A proper koi diet depends on the environment and water temperatures.

      Take the water temperature of the pond your koi reside in. Cooler water slows the digestive system of the fish. In water that is less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit, feed your fish once a day or every other day. If it is lower that 65 degrees Fahrenheit, feed it every other day. Do not feed your fish if the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 5

      Feed koi 5 percent of their body weight if they live in warm water. To determine how much food to offer them, provide the amount they can eat in five minutes.

    • 6

      Feed your koi a variety of foods such as prawns, lettuce and fruits. Cut the food into bite-size pieces. Occasionally offer treats such as earthworms, tadpoles and bloodworms. Koi swim very quickly, so there is no need to worry about your turtle eating food meant for your koi.