All About Feed Training Your Koi and Goldfish

We believe that healthy and happy fish start with a strong beginning.  All our goldfish and koi are born and raised on our family fish farm in the Midwest. They are raised outdoors in dirt ponds. Our fish are started on sinking fish food in order to help prevent predation from birds in ponds while they are feeding. Our baby fish are fed a really fine powdered feed and then a larger sinking pellet as they grow. When the fish are the size and color we need them to be we bring them into our shipping facility and are sorted and separated by size. In our shipping facility the fish are started on a floating pellet. We do always restrict food for at least 48 hours before shipping in order for fish to have a clean stomach during transport. This is important because if fish have food in their system, they produce waste that can cause issues with ammonia levels during transport. 

Upon arrival we suggest waiting another 24 hours before feeding, just so the fish can get used to their environment and recover from shipping. Some fish will go right back on feed quickly, but some (especially smaller fish) can take some time to get back on feed. If you have a way during quarantine to keep your fish in a smaller area this can make feeding training them in your system easier. One of the biggest issues we see with feed training is releasing very small fish (1-3” in size) into large bodies of water and then the fish not learning to come up and feed. Here are some of our tips and tricks about feed and feeding your fish. 

🐟 What Is Feed Training?

Goldfish and koi are intelligent, social fish that can be trained to associate feeding with specific routines. Some can even learn to eat from your hand! Feed training helps promote healthy growth, strengthens trust, and ensures that your fish get the nutrition they need without overfeeding. Whether you're raising them in a backyard pond or an aquarium, this guide will walk you through the basics of feed training your goldfish and koi.

Feed training is the process of conditioning fish to learn to come up to the surface of your system and feed. In doing this the fish associate feeding with certain cues—like your presence, a specific time of day, or a sound.

For goldfish and koi, feed training can:

• Encourage consistent feeding habits
  

• Reduce food waste
  

• Help with health monitoring
  

• Build trust for hand feeding
  

✅ Step 1: Set a Routine

Fish thrive on routine. Begin by feeding them at the same time each day—preferably morning and evening when the water is cooler and oxygen levels are higher. Cooler temperatures are usually when fish are more active and can also lead to better digestion. 

Tips:

• When establishing a routine choose a quiet time with minimal distractions.
  
  

• Feed in the same location to reinforce habit.
  
  

• Observe your fish from a distance at first to see how they respond.

Farmer Tip: Remember that fish that are new to your system are going to be more skittish as everything around them is new. You hovering over the water can be pretty scary for your fish as they may think you are a predator. Don’t be alarmed if your fish does not come up and feed right away. In most systems there is enough natural food to support the fish until they learn to come up and feed. 

✅ Step 2: Use a High-Quality Floating Pellet

For ponds, start with a floating pellet designed for goldfish or koi is suggested. For very small fish, small water systems or tanks, flake fish food can be used. Floating food allows you to monitor how much they eat and helps prevent waste from sinking to the bottom.

Fish that are 4 inches or smaller do well with a smaller mini pellet floating fish food and fish that are larger than 4” can have either mini pellets or larger 5mm pellets. Need feed? Shop the same fish food we use at  🔗 www.toledogoldfish.com

Tips:

• Only feed what the fish can eat in about 5 minutes.
  

• If they are still learning to feed, it is okay to leave a small amount of food in your system, but make sure to clean up any wasted food to help keep water quality good.

• You can supplement with “treats” like peas, shrimp, or sliced fruit once feeding habits are established. But do note to feed treats in moderation.
  

✅ Step 3: Associate Feeding with a Cue

Goldfish and koi are very food motivated and can learn overtime to associate you with food. In aquariums if you always turn the light on before feeding they will associate the light with food. So creating a consistent cue can help your fish associate it with feeding time. Sometimes something just as simple as feeling the vibration of you walking up to the pond can be a cue.

Some other examples include: 

• Tapping lightly on the water or pond edge
  
  

• Ringing a bell
  
  

• Splashing gently
  
  

• Your hand motion over the water
  
  

Do this every time you feed, and within a few days to a week, your fish should begin to recognize the cue.

✅ Step 4: Monitor Feeding Behavior

Goldfish and koi are opportunistic eaters and may beg for food even when full. Overfeeding can cause poor water quality and health issues.

Watch for:

• Food leftover after 3–5 minutes (remove it)
  
  

• Lethargy or bloating
  
  

• Cloudy water or algae growth
  

Adjust feed amounts based on fish size, activity, and water temperature. In colder months, reduce feeding as metabolism slows. In very cold temperatures, your fish may not need to be feed at all. 

Feed training your goldfish and koi is a rewarding process that enhances the bond between you and your fish. With consistency, patience, and high-quality food, you’ll have fish that eagerly greet you at feeding time—and maybe even eat from your hand.

Need Quality Fish And Feed? 
We offer healthy, family farm raised goldfish and koi along with the feed they are used to eating. Visit toledogoldfish.com to learn more or reach out to us with questions at info@toledogoldfish.com!