By: Rosimeri Tran
There are many options when it comes to koi food based on size, season, nutritional value, color enhancement, cost, etc.
Koi keepers can choose the type of koi food that meets their preferences and goals. Here is a comparison of sinking versus floating koi food.
Benefits of Sinking Koi Food
- Koi that normally stay at bottom will eat more sinking food.
- Balanced feeding when fed both floating and sinking together.
- Less damage to koi at bottom during feeding frenzy.
- Excess air is not taken in, unlike surface eating, therefore less likely to have swim bladder disease.
Benefits of Floating Koi Food
- You get to see and inspect your koi for any problems when they eat at the surface.
- Floating food can cost less than sinking food.
- More varieties of floating food available.
- Unconsumed floating food is visible at the surface and can be easily scooped up.
- Unconsumed sinking food can clog up bottom drain or stay at bottom causing water quality problems.
Koi Food Production
Both floating and sinking koi food are produced in the same way. The ingredients are blended into a batter, which is then cut to size and cooked under pressure. Vitamins and nutrients are added and moisture or steam is added at a rate of 15-20% at a temperature range of 150-170 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now the dough is ready for extrusion, hmmm what is extrusion you ask let me explain:
The food enters into a machine that looks like a rotating drum, the koi food dough here will be kneaded and as it is pushed through a propeller shaft it will be subjected to heat and pressure at the same time. As the dough keeps moving through more heat and pressure are added. Food density is determined by the amount of pressure applied during expulsion, this density will determine if the food will be floating or sinking. Now the food is forced through a die which will cut the koi food into smaller pieces as it leaves the machine the sudden drop will cause it to expand to 4 times its size.
Now the food will go through a dryer to remove the moisture so no spoilage will occur. This is also where any oils and fats will be introduced into the food. It will be dried again to allow the oils to sink into food. Once the food dries completely it will be ready for packing into bags.
Koi Food Expiration or Production Dates
You should always look for an expiration or production date on the package when purchasing any koi food.
Although buying in bulk sounds economical, if your koi won’t eat the food before it expires the nutritional value of the koi food could be compromised.
Proper Koi Food Storage
Koi food should be stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry environment. Koi food should not be left in the hot sun as it will destroy the nutritional content of the food and can cause it to become rancid.
Any koi food that smells like paint thinner is no good and should be thrown out.
