Best Fish Food for Koi of 2026

Janie Foster Avatar
Janie Foster
Last Updated: Jan 4, 2025

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If you're looking to keep your koi fish healthy and thriving, choosing the right fish food is essential. There are a variety of options available, including pellets, flakes, and freeze-dried foods. Many koi owners prefer pellets, as they offer a balanced diet and are easy to measure and dispense. Look for high-quality pellets that are made with natural ingredients and contain a mix of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Some pellets are even specially formulated for certain types of koi, such as those with bright colors or long fins. No matter what type of fish food you choose, be sure to feed your koi small amounts several times a day, rather than one large meal.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Kaytee Koi's Choice Koi Floating Fish Food Cover #TOP 1
Kaytee Koi's Choice Koi Floating Fish Food
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Tetra Koi Vibrance Sticks Fish Food Cover #TOP 2
Tetra Koi Vibrance Sticks Fish Food
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Blue Ridge Fish Food [4.5lb], Platinum Professional Formula 3/16" Floating Pellet Cover #TOP 3
Blue Ridge Fish Food [4.5lb], Platinum Professional Formula 3/16" Floating Pellet
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Fish Food for Koi

#TOP 1

Kaytee Koi's Choice Koi Floating Fish Food

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Kaytee Koi's Choice Koi Floating Fish Food Cover
Kaytee Koi's Choice Koi Floating Fish Food, 10 Pound

Kaytee Koi's Choice Koi Floating Fish Food is a great choice for koi, goldfish, and other pond fish. This fish food floats, making it easy for fish to eat and for you to monitor how much food they consume. It provides necessary animal and vegetable proteins to keep your fish healthy and strong.

What We Like
Floats for easy feeding
Provides necessary animal and vegetable proteins
Great for koi, goldfish, and other pond fish
#TOP 2

Tetra Koi Vibrance Sticks Fish Food

16485
No_color
Tetra Koi Vibrance Sticks Fish Food Cover
Tetra 16485 Koi Vibrance Sticks Fish Food, 2.42 Pound

The Tetra Koi Vibrance Sticks Fish Food is an ideal maintenance diet for your outdoor fish species, especially koi and ornamental goldfish. These soft floating sticks are easy for fish to eat and digest, providing nutrition for energy, longevity, and overall health. Feeding high-quality, highly digestible food creates less waste for clearer water, making it easier for you to maintain your koi pond. Feed daily when water temperatures are above 50 degrees for best results.

What We Like
Ideal maintenance diet for outdoor fish species
Soft floating sticks are easy for fish to eat and digest
Provides nutrition for energy, longevity, and overall health

Blue Ridge Fish Food [4.5lb], Platinum Professional Formula 3/16" Floating Pellet

Blue Ridge Fish Food [4.5lb], Platinum Professional Formula 3/16" Floating Pellet Cover
Blue Ridge Koi Fish Food 4.5lb - Koi Food 3/16” Platinum Pro Formula Goldfish Food, Premium Fish Food for Ponds, Floating Pond Pellets Fish Food

Blue Ridge Fish Food is an all-season floating pellet food for koi and goldfish. Made in the USA, it is a premium, high-quality diet that encourages healthy growth and top show condition. It contains Spirulina and Canthaxanthin for superior color enhancement and Primilac Probiotic Immune Stimulant designed to protect koi from sickness and disease.

What We Like
Premium all-season floating pellets
Contains Spirulina and Canthaxanthin for superior color enhancement
Primilac Probiotic Immune Stimulant protects koi from sickness and disease
#TOP 4

Blue Ridge Fish Food Pellets

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5 Pound (Pack of 1)
Blue Ridge Fish Food Pellets Cover
Blue Ridge Koi Fish Food 5lb - Koi Food Mini Growth Formula Goldfish Food, Premium Fish Food for Ponds, Ponds Fish Food, Koi Food Fall and Winter Fish Food, Floating Pond Pellets Fish Food

Blue Ridge Fish Food Pellets, also known as Blue Ridge Fish Food, is a premium all-season floating pellet fish food made in the USA. It is the same high-quality diet used by leading American Koi breeders but at a fraction of the price. These floating pellets are easily digested, softening quickly to encourage healthy growth and preventing water pollution. Perfect for koi and goldfish up to 5 inches in size, this food provides a completely balanced nutritional diet that greatly enhances growth. Additionally, it contains a special blend of vitamins and minerals that promote resistance to stress and immunity to disease. With a 100% satisfaction guarantee, Blue Ridge Fish Food Pellets are made with strict guidelines and are sure to improve the quality of your fish or your money back!

What We Like
MADE IN THE USA
EASILY DIGESTED
BALANCED NUTRITIONAL DIET
#TOP 5

TetraPond Pond Sticks for Goldfish and Koi

16483
Brown
TetraPond Pond Sticks for Goldfish and Koi Cover
TetraPond Pond Sticks, Pond Fish Food, for Goldfish and Koi, 1.72 Pounds

TetraPond Pond Sticks are an easy-to-digest and highly nutritious maintenance diet for outdoor fish species such as koi and goldfish. This daily diet provides energy, longevity, and overall health to your fish. The floating sticks are soft and easy for your fish to eat, while also creating less waste for clearer water. It is recommended to feed your fish daily when water temperatures are above 50 degrees.

What We Like
Easy-to-digest and highly nutritious maintenance diet
Soft and easy-to-eat floating sticks
Creates less waste for clearer water
#TOP 6

TetraPond Koi Growth Fish Food

16489
TetraPond Koi Growth Fish Food Cover
TetraPond Koi Growth 4.85 Pounds, Soft Sticks, Pond Fish Food

TetraPond Koi Growth Fish Food is a scientifically formulated diet that contains essential amino acids to help younger koi and ornamental goldfish grow. Its high-protein formulation supports fish's immune system. The smaller, soft sticks are easy for fish to eat and digest, and feeding a high-quality, highly digestible food creates less waste for clearer water. It is recommended to feed daily when water temperatures are above 50 degrees.

What We Like
Scientifically formulated with essential amino acids for younger koi and ornamental goldfish growth
High-protein formulation supports fish's immune system
Smaller, soft sticks are easy for fish to eat and digest
#TOP 7

Tetra Koi Vibrance Floating Food

AQ-16494-10
No_color
Tetra Koi Vibrance Floating Food Cover
TetraPond Koi Vibrance 1.43 Pounds, Soft Sticks, Floating Pond Food, TetraPond Koi Vibrance, Soft Sticks, Floating Pond Food

Tetra Koi Vibrance is an excellent choice for maintaining the health of your koi and ornamental goldfish. This daily diet ensures your fish receive essential nutrition, promoting energy and longevity. The soft, floating sticks are designed for easy consumption, making mealtime enjoyable and hassle-free for your fish. By choosing this high-quality food, you also contribute to clearer pond water, as it produces less waste. For best results, feed your fish daily when the water temperature is above 50 degrees.

What We Like
Ideal for koi and goldfish
Promotes energy and health
Easy-to-eat floating sticks
Less waste for clearer water
#TOP 8

TetraPond Spring And Fall Diet

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TetraPond Spring And Fall Diet Cover
TetraPond Spring And Fall Diet 3.08 Pounds, Pond Fish Food, For Goldfish And Koi, 7 L

Tetra Pond Food is a cool-weather transitional diet for outdoor fish species such as koi ornamental goldfish. Formulated with wheat germ, it provides a highly digestible source of protein even at low water temperatures. The soft sticks float on water, making it easy for fish to eat and digest. By feeding high-quality, highly digestible food, less waste is created, resulting in clearer water. Feed daily when water temperatures are below 50 degrees. With all ages in mind, the 3.08-pound pack of Tetra Pond Food is an excellent choice for pond owners who want to keep their fish healthy and happy.

What We Like
Highly digestible protein
Easy to eat and digest
Creates less waste
#TOP 9

Tetra Pond Sticks for Fish

16482
1 Pound (Pack of 1)
Tetra Pond Sticks for Fish Cover
TetraPond Pond Sticks, Healthy Nutrition for Goldfish and Koi

Tetra Pond Sticks offer a nutritious diet for your koi and ornamental goldfish, ensuring they have the energy and health they need. These soft, floating sticks are designed for easy eating and digestion, making feeding a breeze for you and your fish. By choosing this high-quality food, you'll help maintain clearer water by reducing waste. It's recommended to feed your fish daily when the water temperature exceeds 50 degrees, providing them with the best chance for longevity and vitality.

What We Like
Healthy nutrition for fish
Easy to eat and digest
Reduces waste for clear water
Supports energy and longevity
#TOP 10

Blue Ridge Fish Food Pellets

Blue Ridge Growth Formula Koi & Goldfish
5 Pound (Pack of 1)
Blue Ridge Fish Food Pellets Cover
Blue Ridge Koi Fish Food 5lb - Koi Food 3/16” Large Growth Formula, Goldfish Food, Premium Fish Food for Ponds, Ponds Fish Food, Koi Food Fall and Winter Fish Food, Floating Pond Pellets

Blue Ridge Fish Food is a premium all-season floating pellet that is perfect for koi and goldfish 5 inches and larger. Made in the USA, this fish food is the same high-quality diet used by leading American Koi breeders at a fraction of the price. The easily digested floating pellets soften quickly for easy digestion, encouraging healthy growth and preventing water pollution. This food contains a special blend of vitamins and minerals that promote resistance to stress and immunity to disease, making it a healthy choice for your fish. Blue Ridge Fish Food is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can be confident in its quality.

What We Like
Made in the USA
Easily Digestible
Perfect for Koi and Goldfish
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What food is best for koi fish?

Koi fish have a diverse diet and can eat various types of food. They eat small bugs, insects, plants, algae, and store-bought koi fish food. They can even consume human food like cereal, lettuce, shrimp, rice, peas, and watermelon. It is important to provide a balanced diet for their nutritional needs.

2. When is the best time to feed koi fish?

It is recommended to feed koi fish no more than 2 to 3 times a week. If they are active, you can offer them an amount they can consume within a minute or so, but avoid overfeeding. It is ideal to feed them between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.

3. Do koi fish need to be fed every day?

Feeding koi fish once a day is sufficient to provide them with the necessary nutrients for a healthy pond and fish. Feeding them too often can lead to an excess of nutrients in the pond, which can cause algae issues.

4. Do koi fish prefer floating or sinking food?

Koi fish are bottom-feeders by nature, so sinking food is preferred. Feeding them sinking food allows them to eat more efficiently and promotes their growth. However, high-quality koi food should be slow-sinking, providing some exercise for the fish as they have to work a little harder to eat it.

5. How often should koi water be changed?

To maintain healthy koi and a healthy pond, it is recommended to perform a 10% to 20% water change each week if possible. If you aim to enhance the color and size of your koi, more substantial water changes may be necessary.

6. How can I tell if my koi fish are happy?

Koi fish show their joy and happiness when they consistently see their caretaker, similar to a dog wagging its tail when the owner comes home. Building a bond and regular interaction with your koi can contribute to their overall well-being.

Editor's Notes

During our fish food for koi research, we found 24 fish food for koi products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 197,885 customer reviews through our big data system to write the fish food for koi list. We found that most customers choose fish food for koi with an average price of $27.96.

The fish food for koi are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of fish food for koi, including Kaytee, Tetra, Blue Ridge Fish Hatchery. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Janie Foster Avatar

Janie Foster is a writer & pet blogger from Los Angeles, she enjoys living with her two cats and three dogs. She owned her first dog 10 years ago and then started her personal blog to record her dog's daily life. Throughout her personal life, she has developed specialized knowledge in pet care, pet nutrition, feeding habits, and more.