It is a common problem that koi fish stop eating, which may be caused by various reasons. Here are detailed solutions to this problem:
1. Check and adjust the water quality
Poor water quality is a common cause of koi fish refusing to eat. If the water is too old or contains excessive harmful substances (such as ammonia nitrogen and nitrite), the koi fish may stop eating. It is recommended to change 1/8 to 1/10 of the total water volume of the fish pond every day for 3 to 5 days, and ensure that the new water has been dechlorinated.
Too low water temperature will also affect the appetite of koi fish. When the water temperature is lower than 10°C, koi fish usually won't eat. At this time, there is no need to feed them to avoid polluting the water quality.
2. Check if the koi fish are sick
If the koi fish show symptoms such as rotten gills, enteritis, or white spot disease, they usually refuse to eat at the same time. It is necessary to treat the symptoms first, and then start feeding them in small amounts after the fish recover from the illness.
Indigestion may also lead to refusal to eat. If the koi fish have indigestion due to overfeeding, you can change part of the old water or raise the water temperature to stimulate their digestion.
3. Improve the feeding method
Diversify the diet: Feeding a single type of food for a long time may cause the koi fish to lose their appetite. It is recommended to try feeding different baits such as river fish and shrimp meat to stimulate their appetite.
Feed in moderation: Avoid feeding too much at one time. Reduce the amount of each feeding or stop feeding for a few days, and then gradually resume feeding.
Food attraction training: You can add a food attractant to the fish feed and gradually approach the school of fish when feeding to reduce the fish's stress response.
4. Environmental and psychological factors
Sudden environmental changes may cause the koi fish to refuse to eat. Try to restore the original environment or be patient and wait for them to adapt to the new environment.
Loneliness: If the koi fish are suddenly kept alone after being group-raised for a long time, they may refuse to eat due to a sense of loneliness. Restoring the group-raised state can help improve this problem.
5. Seasonal factors
During the transition between seasons, especially in northern regions where there is a significant temperature difference, the koi fish may experience seasonal refusal to eat. Just maintain good water quality and be patient and wait for them to recover naturally.
By using the above methods, the problem of koi fish not eating can be effectively solved. If the problem persists, it is recommended to further check the water quality parameters or consult a professional fish breeder.