V22 12/4/09 Feeding In The Rain

I don't withhold the koi's feed unless they don't want to eat. Many people advise against feeding in the rain, but for me, as long as they want to eat, they'll have it. If the Ph swing from the acidic rain is too much and makes them feel too uncomfortable to eat, we as their keepers should be able to read their signals. I pull back if they don't attack the first 2 handfuls. My pond is about 70% shaded (with waterproof material).

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• japanese
• koi
• pond
• jumbo
• large
• fish
• paul
• hooi
• malaysia
• nishikigoi
• rain
• feeding

[TupacDaDon]

hi paul, I was watching this video again and I some questions(not directly involving this vid though) popped my head: If I remember correctly you have an annual feeding stop for your koi, how long do you stop feeding and what are the reasons for doing so? (to get rid of eggs? or...)

thanks

[hooinc]

Hi Steven, I had tried fasting the koi for about 4 weeks before (not an annual thing), but it did not help egg reabsorption at all. Apart from the occasional times when medication is needed and feeding stopped, my routine is that my koi are fasted for 24 hours twice a week, and also just before filter washing day which happens every 2 weeks. Also, a week's fasting just before a koi show, plus another just after the show.

[sandymcintosh]

Hi Paul.... just watched your new video..... I guess you would get quite heavy downpours where you live ?..... have you ever lost fish due to this condition of p.h. swing ?

[hooinc]

You're right, Sandy. It can get really torrential here. It's not like in the UK where most rains are small drizzles, like it can't really decide whether to rain or not. No, I haven't lost any fish to a Ph crash, but many have!

[billyny3]

i love the shiro, and the tancho :)

[hooinc]

Thanks Billy :)

[kaytao]

hi my man. but my koi actually like 2 eat most of the rainy day. temp cause or what?

[kaytao]

hi.my man. but actually my fish like 2 eat most of rainy day! maybe temp suitable???

[TupacDaDon]

ok, thanks paul ^^ I was asking this concerning my 2nd pond that will be operative in a few months, since now I"ll be able to heat my koi during the winter and there is much discussion about fasting

cheerz

[hooinc]

Rain is typically acidic (Ph 5-6). Heavy rain falling into a shallow uncovered pond may lead to drops in the pond Ph level. Koi do NOT like Ph swings. If the swing is too much, they will stressed and not feel like eating. In fact swings like this can cause a Ph crash which might lead to pond wipe-outs.