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  • Results 1 to 15 of 15

    Thread: Algae as a food source?

    1. #1
      ben32hayt is offline Member
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      Algae as a food source?

      I took a karashigoi that I acquired over the winter out of the QT and put her in the main pond about two weeks ago. All she does is eat algae. She is 24" and was born in 2010. All of my other fish are eating pellet food. Is this normal? Is there a way to get her back on a fish food diet? And, can I expect any type of growth from her while eating algae?
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    2. #2
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      Sure she isn't eating the pellets out of the algae?

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      Quote Originally Posted by cindy View Post
      Sure she isn't eating the pellets out of the algae?
      From what I have observed, no. I feed floating pellets which also proves this is not the case. Also the other fish eat all of the koi food.

    5. #5
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      Can't tell much. I just watched mine chew on the algae for stuff stuck in in.

    6. #6
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      Koi love to graze like that. The Karashigoi and Chagoi in particular I've had did it.

      If the qt was lacking carpet algae she might be enjoying. If she gets hungry enough she will find the pellets. Mine graze the walls of the pond in between feedings. I'm not sure they're getting much out of it but it doesn't stop them doing it.

      Still learning as I go but y'all can call me Marilyn

    7. #7
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      When algae exists on the pond walls/floor, ever notice that when the fish graze on it, there are green "pellets" in the SC or skimmer baskets/leaf traps? That's because the fish don't really get anything from the algae itself, but rather the "bugs" that live in it/on it. As mentioned, she will graze on it and then, after a short while find the pellets more interesting and of better value nutrition-wise.
      Mike

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    8. #8
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      Mine graze as mentioned above also. Between meals and even sometimes during depending on each fish. Often times it is not actually the algae they are after despite how we perceive it but sucking and looking for things that live in the algae. There are all sorts of bugs that the can come across and suck off the pond walls. As Marilyn says if the QT did not have algae available then maybe the critters in the algae is preferred at this time to "koi food".

      I would prefer a fresh shrimp cocktail to freeze dried krill personally. Then again maybe it is a vegetarian.

      Cross post with Mike.

    9. #9
      koi4u2c is offline Senior Member
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      I read somewhere that algae is high in protein.

      I have gold fish in a QT tank that I was going to get rid of and have not been feeding them this year. The tank has quite a bit of algae growing on the walls. The gold fish in that tank have been growing and are fat. They were fatter this spring than some goldfish in another pond with no algae.
      Nancy



    10. #10
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      Quote Originally Posted by koi4u2c View Post
      I read somewhere that algae is high in protein.

      I have gold fish in a QT tank that I was going to get rid of and have not been feeding them this year. The tank has quite a bit of algae growing on the walls. The gold fish in that tank have been growing and are fat. They were fatter this spring than some goldfish in another pond with no algae.
      The "creatures" that live in/on the algae are providing a pretty decent amount of protein to the goldies and that's probably enough for them, but not enough to sustain a koi in good condition.
      Mike

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    11. #11
      koi4u2c is offline Senior Member
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      I looked up chlorella algae in Wikipedia. It stated when dried it is 45% protein, 20% carbohydrate, 20% fat, 5% fiber, and 10% vitamins and minerals.

      Sounds nutritious to me.
      Nancy



    12. #12
      koi4u2c is offline Senior Member
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      Another source states that spirulina and chorella are among the richest sources of nutrients on the planet.
      Nancy



    13. #13
      koiman1950's Avatar
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      But these aren't the types of algae in your pond. Yes, those two are sources of some value, but how much has to be consumed to be of "good" value?

      Believe what you want. I just stated what I knew about the "types" of algae that grow in our ponds, which do not provide a value source except the creatures that inhabit them.
      Mike

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      "Our goal is to assist with emergency and Koi health issues, as well as educate on best practices. Please help us gain a clear picture by giving the original poster time to answer our questions before offering opinions and suggested treatments."

    14. #14
      koi4u2c is offline Senior Member
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      I can only relay the observations about the growth of the fish in my QT. It is only has about 1800 gallons of water in it at about 1/2 full. There are 30+ goldfish, 1 canary koi, and 2 goldfish/koi hybrids in it and they all are fat and sassy. The goldfish spawned late summer and have not been fed from November until last week when I added a koi to the QT tank.

      They have all grown. My fish in my larger ponds all got thinner over the winter, these fish did not. It is hard for me to believe that there are that many micro organisms living in the hair algae to feed and grow this many fish.

      Well if this is the case, I just wish I had this velvety inch long algae with micro organisms growing and feeding
      my other fish. Sure would save me a lot of money.
      Nancy



    15. #15
      ben32hayt is offline Member
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      I tried using sinking pellets and the Karashi devoured them. I guess I will have to stick to sinking pellets if I want her to grow.

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