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Learn about koi fish behavior in winter and whether they need feeding during cold months. Discover the importance of water temperature, metabolic changes, and proper care to keep your koi healthy year-round.
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0:00
winter feeding for KO fish is it
0:02
necessary koi fish those colorful jewels
0:06
of garden ponds have captivated
0:09
enthusiasts for centuries but as winter
0:12
approaches many koi owners wonder do
0:15
these beautiful creatures need to be fed
0:17
during the cold months to answer this
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question we first need to understand how
0:22
koi behave in Winter as the temperature
0:24
drops koi fish enter a state of dormy
0:27
their metabolism slows down significant
0:30
ly and they become much less active in
0:32
nature koay and their Wild Car ancestors
0:36
would settle at the bottom of ponds or
0:38
slow moving Rivers conserving energy
0:41
until spring arrives this metabolic
0:43
slowdown is a crucial adaptation for koi
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survival when water temperatures fall
0:48
below 50° F or 10° C the digestive
0:52
system of koi becomes less efficient
0:54
their ability to process food decreases
0:57
dramatically and feeding during this
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time can actually be harmful to their
1:01
health so do koi fish need to be fed
1:05
during winter the short answer is
1:07
generally no in most cases koi can go
1:10
without food for the entire winter
1:12
season relying on their stored fat
1:14
reserves to sustain them this fasting
1:16
period is natural and typically does not
1:19
harm healthy koi however there are some
1:22
exceptions to this rule in milder
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climates where water temperatures remain
1:27
above 50° F koi May remain somewhat
1:30
active in these cases limited feeding
1:33
might be beneficial if you decide to
1:35
feed your koi during winter use
1:39
specialized winter food that is easier
1:41
to digest offer small amounts only when
1:44
the fish are active and coming to the
1:46
surface it's crucial to monitor water
1:49
temperature closely if you're feeding
1:51
your KO in Winter stop immediately when
1:54
the water temperature drops below 50° F
1:57
continuing to feed in colder
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temperatures can lead to undigested food
2:02
rotting in their stomachs potentially
2:04
causing severe health issues while
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feeding may not be necessary other
2:08
aspects of winter care are vital for koi
2:10
Health ensure your pond is deep enough
2:13
to prevent freezing solid maintain a
2:15
hole in the ice for gas exchange either
2:17
through a pond heater or by gently
2:19
breaking the ice also remove fallen
2:21
leaves and debris to prevent water
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quality issues when spring arrives in
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conclusion koi fish generally do not
2:28
need to be fed during winter their
2:30
natural adaptations allow them to
2:32
survive the cold month without food by
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understanding and respecting this
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natural cycle COI owners can ensure
2:38
their fish remain healthy year round
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remember when it comes to Winter care
2:42
for KO less is often more
#Pets & Animals
#Fish & Aquaria