Hi everyone!
I have seen people like Mitch growing his fish ~13 inches/year . And I remember reading in here that a lot members got good grow for their fishes in the first 2-3 years. However, Like Mitch, he’s in southern CA where he can feed his fishes all year round. The winter temp there is almost like our summer here in specific northwest.
Here in specific northwest, if we are lucky, we can really feed the fishes from June to mid-September when the water tem is above 60F. My pond water is probably above 70F for less than 3 months a year (mid June to August in a hot year). And I remember reading in here that fishes grow best in ~70-80F?
So, I am in my 2nd year koi ponding.. I saw most of my young fishes grow 2-3 inches last year with my feeding rate ~3 times/day during summer months. This year, I bought an auto feeder and will feed 7-8 times a day (less amount, more frequent, and total food will be much more than last year).
So, my questions are:
1. With an average koi (not jumbo tosai type), and average food, what is an average grow rate per month during feeding season (during their young age)? 1 inch/month?
2. What is one thing you did/improved that give you notable grow? (like changing water more often, using higher protein food, etc..?)
3. For those that live in seasonal growing regions like me, what is your experience in term of growing?
I am just curious and want to learn so I know what to expect. I keep looking at my kois every day and don’t see them grow
NOTE: Assuming that filter system is adequate to support feeding season, so I don’t want this thread to discuss about filter
hp.