Too Much Oil in the Food

[JohnnyReb]

Is wheat germ my only alternative to the oily koi food or could I use some other fishes food that does not have all the fish oil sprayed on it. I am wintering 35 4 to 6 inch koi in some 55 to 75 gallon tanks and the oil is too overwhelming for HOB filters. The canisters are doing a better job but I want a food alternative or should I presoak the food, drain off the oily water and feed it that way?

 

[MaloK]

At what temperature are they atm ?

 

[Naughts]

You could cut down feeding if there is scope to do so, or have a food with more plant content (like spirulina) and less protein. The oil is in the fish waste as well as undigested food.

You could add a skimmer or try lifting the oil using kitchen paper a couple of times a day.

Point the filter so it agitates the surface to prevent the oil settling, and for oxygenation.

 

[MaloK]

When I learned about ponds... Koi / goldfishes. Wintering was made in the dark between 50-55°F. 10-13°C...

With feeding significantly reduced or completely stopped.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

You might want to investigate this food: https://www.shop.repashy.com/products/repashy-super-gold

This a a gel mix food that comes in a powder and then you mix it with hot water and let it cool and it solidifies. I have been feeding his Bottom Scratcher, Spawn & Grow and Soilent Green for a number of years. I consider it to be one of the better foods out there. I mix each of the first two foods at 80% and then the other 20% is the Soilent Green which I use on its own for my britlenose plecos and also my red cherry and blue dream varieties of Neocaradina davidi shrimp.

Repasy SuperGold

Goldfish & Koi Gel Food Premix

Specifically developed for excellent digestion and nutrition in Goldfish & Koi. Easy to make premix, featuring a wide spectrum of Quality

INGREDIENTS: Krill Meal, Spirulina Algae, Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal, Chlorella Algae, Squid Meal, Dandelion Leaf, Seaweed Meal, Whole Egg, Pea Protein Isolate, Rice Protein Concentrate, Banana Powder, Brewer’s Dried Yeast, Mussel Meal, Mango Powder, Lecithin, Locust Bean Gum, Citric Acid, Stinging Nettle, Garlic, Ginger, Cinnamon, Dried Kelp, Phaffia Yeast, Dried Watermelon, RoseHips, Hibiscus Flower, Marigold Flower, Paprika, Turmeric, Salt, Calcium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate (as preservatives), Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate. Vitamins: (Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement, Calcium L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Beta Carotene, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex).

 

[FranciscoB]

As suggested - low temperature, much reduced feeding.

 

[JohnnyReb]

At what temperature are they atm ?

74 degrees F

 

[JohnnyReb]

At what temperature are they atm ?

74 degrees F

 

[JohnnyReb]

You could cut down feeding if there is scope to do so, or have a food with more plant content (like spirulina) and less protein. The oil is in the fish waste as well as undigested food.

You could add a skimmer or try lifting the oil using kitchen paper a couple of times a day.

Point the filter so it agitates the surface to prevent the oil settling, and for oxygenation.

It is on a SunSun 304B and can't force it in a direction. What is kitchen paper in the U.S.?

 

[JohnnyReb]

When I learned about ponds... Koi / goldfishes. Wintering was made in the dark between 50-55°F. 10-13°C...

With feeding significantly reduced or completely stopped.

These are under one year old 3 to 5 inch fish. I hate to hold food back.

 

[MaloK]

74 degrees F

Can you bring it lower 50-55 F it will be a lot more manageable for ammonia rise.

At these temperature beneficial bacteria lags behind. And only feeding sparingly and water changes are going to be your tool to deal with ammonia. Normally I used 75 gallons tank for 3 to 6 Koi an tried to not have too much tanks rolling... Depending on size of the fish. And always brought the water to the lowest temperature possible during the peak of the winter.

I always aimed to refrigerator temp (4°C) (40°F) This way their metabolism nearly stops and their ammonia output also does.

This Way I always had a better survival rate when the fish are re-homed in a pond where they will stay all winter.

It's all personal opinions, at the end, But a large tub in the garage does wonders too. as long as it's dark and does not freeze.

 

[JohnnyReb]

Can you bring it lower 50-55 F it will be a lot more manageable for ammonia rise.

At these temperature beneficial bacteria lags behind. And only feeding sparingly and water changes are going to be your tool to deal with ammonia. Normally I used 75 gallons tank for 3 to 6 Koi an tried to not have too much tanks rolling... Depending on size of the fish. And always brought the water to the lowest temperature possible during the peak of the winter.

I always aimed to refrigerator temp (4°C) (40°F) This way their metabolism nearly stops and their ammonia output also does.

This Way I always had a better survival rate when the fish are re-homed in a pond where they will stay all winter.

It's all personal opinions, at the end, But a large tub in the garage does wonders too. as long as it's dark and does not freeze.

Thank you for your input. As a Betta guy, it is hard for me to get it my head around, colder is better. I know you are correct. This is my first incursion into coldwater fish. I can drop the temp in the garage lower as I have heat control in there as well. I have 5... 75 gallon tanks aging right now for use in a few weeks.

 

[MaloK]

Also try to have a very smooth water movement. They will end up cuddling together facing current in the most calm place in the tanks.

A water flow from left to right is a lot more indicated than back to front. You'll understand as they grow up.

I love Goldfishes, They are crazy pets.

Edit: Try to match the temperature of your pond in the garage before moving them.

 

[MaloK]

And if I may add...

Use buckets to move them don't try to net them.

Dip the buckets in the tanks and wait for them to enter, then pull them out... Add food in the buckets to give younger ones some incentive to investigate... When they grow bigger you'll love when they "participate".

After a couple years, the older ones jump in the bucket as soon a they touch the water... They know, it's the end of winter...

They want to be first back in the pond..

TBH I never owned any of these tanks and ponds, But was blessed with amazing teachers and was able to participate long enough to understand having a well designed serious commercial pond.

And I also had a goldfish swimming pool in my basement at some point. And that was a lot of fun.

 

[Naughts]

What is kitchen paper in the U.S.?

I’m not sure what it is in the US?