Feeding Fish
In a well-balanced pond fish theoretically do not need to be fed at all! But supplemental feeding is usually necessary and you'll enjoy watching them hurry to the water's edge to greet you.
During winter, fish are semi-dormant and will not require feeding. They will live off the reserves of fat and occasional stray food items. As spring advances and fish become more active, they will need an increasingly rich diet.
Feed fish once per day as the temperature rises and fish actively search for food. This frequency should be reduced as the season progresses and your pond is established. Choose wheat germ or other similar carbohydrate foods, which are easy to digest. Once the water temperature rises 10*, your fish will need more protein based food.
Most good quality, prepackaged fish food will be enough. Members of the carp family will also eat worms as well as vegetables that human eat, such as lettuce scraps and peas. Never overfeed fish, since uneaten food will decompose and pollute the water.
Feeding Koi
Koi will eat from your hand, provided you have the patience to earn their trust and friendship. Here are a few helpful hints: Feed them in the same place every time. Drop a small handful of pellets and stay there to observe. The bravest or hungriest will start to eat and the rest will follow. They must see you when they eat. Don't walk away from the pond before they start to eat. Withhold food for a day if they won't eat in front of you. Gradually, the Koi will equate you with food. This usually takes about 3 to 5 days. Tease them closer with small sprinklings of food. Put your hands in the water while they eat. The Koi will learn that food comes from your hand. Start with just a few pellets. The bravest Koi will soon be nudging your hand. It is only a matter of time and all of your fish will swimming, jumping and splashing toward you every time you walk by the pond.