| When it comes to feeding your Pond fish, there is | | | | infections of the swim bladder. It is also important |
| a vast array of commercially available foods. With | | | | to be aware of fast moving areas of the pond, |
| many different companies now producing a | | | | as floating foods are often swiftly moved into |
| plethora of food choices, it is important to | | | | overflows, or down flowing streams. |
| educate yourself on the nutritional requirements | | | | The best choice of fish foods is often the sinking |
| of your fish. In addition to nutrition, the ability to | | | | or slowly sinking variety. By sinking from the |
| efficiently disperse the food to your Koi or pond | | | | surface areas, the food is safe from flowing out |
| fish is an important function that is often | | | | of reach from the fish. It also ensures that no |
| overlooked. There are several commonly available | | | | atmospheric air is engulfed by your Pond Fish, |
| pelleted formulas, including; sinking, slowly sinking, | | | | preventing possible infections. The sinking action of |
| floating, and crumbles, not to mention flake food. | | | | the food will also create movement, which is a |
| The most common variety of Pond Fish food is | | | | major appetite stimulant in fish. It may be |
| the floating pelleted formula. Floating pellets | | | | beneficial to begin new acquisitions on a sinking |
| provide a unique advantage over most other | | | | diet. The disadvantages of sinking are mainly |
| varieties in that they entice fish to the upper | | | | aesthetic. The fish will not become as personable |
| levels of the pond, creating a remarkable viewing | | | | without a floating food addition, although they will |
| opportunity. By consistently providing your Koi or | | | | still associate the location with food. It is also |
| Pond Fish with floating foods, they will associate | | | | possible that the food sinks too quickly, possibly |
| the surface, and often one location in particular | | | | becoming entrapped in the substrate. |
| with feeding. They will become more bold, and | | | | Crumbles and flake food are generally reserved |
| increasingly personable, and will often learn to | | | | for smaller pond fish and juvenile Koi. They should |
| accept food directly from the pond-owner’s | | | | be fed as a first food before the fish are weaned |
| hand. The major drawback to floating food is | | | | onto a larger sized maintenance diet. When |
| noticeable mainly in ornamental varieties of | | | | provided to larger fish, flakes and crumbles are |
| goldfish. By gulping at the surface, the goldfish will | | | | often ignored, creating a wasteful environment. |
| often engulf atmospheric air, sometimes leading to | | | | |