Management experience of Japanese koi culture

I. feeding procedure

Japanese koi are omnivorous, like people, have a good appetite for everything. Japanese koi feed is divided into artificial and natural two kinds. Most koi lovers mainly use artificial feed, and the feed composition varies according to the object of feeding. The main ingredient is the mixture of fish meal and malt, so it is easier to digest. When the water temperature is low, the winter feed is used to deepen the color of the feed containing carotenoids such as spirulina, and the summer feed is mainly to promote the growth of koi. In most cases, the combined use of these feeds is sufficient, but some koi enthusiasts have added various other ingredients. Chinese cabbage and cabbage are also favorite foods for koi. The frequency and amount of feeding vary according to the water temperature and pond conditions. In general, koi do not have a stomach to store food. It should be fed several times in small quantities.

Aquaculture management

The actual culture of Japanese koi should adapt to the change of season. The water temperature in Japan is usually 5: 10 ℃ in winter. At this time of year, most Japanese koi hibernate. When the water temperature drops below 5 ℃, the Japanese koi stops exercising and stays at the bottom of the pool. In this environment, there is no need to feed. The water temperature is between 10 and 15 ℃. They swim very slowly and can be fed with starch-rich feed on warmer days, which is easy to digest and can be fed once every 2 to 3 days. They will eat even if they are provided with food every day, but avoid overfeeding. When the water temperature is low, koi cannot fully digest the food they have eaten, which can lead to the production of gelatinous feces and dysfunction of internal organs.

When the water temperature reaches 15-20 ℃, the koi becomes active and can be fed once or twice a day. The protein and fat in the feed are low and easy to digest.

However, this season is also a time when many parasites multiply in large numbers, such as fish ponds, anchor heads, and so on. These parasites should be eliminated as soon as they are found.

When the water temperature reaches 20: 25 ℃, koi has the best appetite and grows fastest at this time of year. The feed should be rich in protein and fat. It can be fed 2 to 5 times a day, and the food that deepens the color should also be fed at this time. At present, this kind of feed contains carotenoid-rich phytoplankton, a phytoplankton called spirulina, which is widely used in Japan. However, spirulina is not easy to digest, and it is only at this time of year that it can be fed to koi. There is too much spirulina in the feed, which will lead to skin yellowing and internal organ dysfunction. It is recommended that the content of spirulina in the feed should be between 10% and 15%. When the water temperature is more than 30 ℃, the feeding amount of koi should be reduced accordingly.

When the water temperature is gradually reduced to 15: 20 ℃, the feeding amount and times of koi should be reduced, which is also the most beautiful time of the year. To strengthen the skin color feeding, nutrition absorption should be considered, and it is better in the warmer autumn.

When the water temperature further drops to 15 ℃, the feeding amount should be greatly reduced, and the feeding should be stopped when the water temperature is below 10 ℃.

The feeding process of each season is only an overall guidance, and the actual operation should be adjusted according to the individual condition of koi and the conditions of the culture pond.