They are fed Koi specific pond food pellets I purchase in 50lb sacks at a time and whole-wheat Cheerios breakfast cereal bought in bulk. Koi also enjoy sucking the algae growing along the waterline. The Koi eat insects and honey bees that come to a particular porous rock for water in the height of summertime adding to the Koi protein diet. Frogs & other aquatic life frequent the pond area in early spring and the summer time. Having a pond this size easily supports more than 15 full grown giant Koi, a half dozen 6-14″ fancy goldfish along with a large 12″ diameter shell aquatic turtle all as full-time residence. The oval shaped pond is approximately 1,200-1,500 gallon capacity, 4-4 1/2ft deep, It is made of concrete and natural rock that has a plastic liner within the concrete formed shape and sunk into our backyard lawn. Having partial high & afternoon shading is important for pond water temperature regulation. Planted along the south edge of the pond is a Japanese apple tree that offers partial summertime shade for high noon heat periods. Areas with water lily pads, reeds and other aquatic plants need to be sheltered from the Koi or they will uproot, dig into or eat them and you can lose your aquatic plants. There are rockscapes in the lawn and around the pond all with a natural stone waterfall as the central feature. Some of our 35 year and older Koi are 34″ long and weigh in over 25lbs! The pond has water features, blocks, ledges, shady secluded, shallow and open deep areas. 5 years later I bought a dozen more juvenile Koi with some fancy rarer breeds in the mix, the Koi have since bread many times over through the years. I started off with a half dozen juvenile 2″ Koi from a well known local breeder/supplier and a dozen fancy goldfish at the same time. My family has been raising and keeping giant Koi fish for more than 35 years.
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