Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi, am researching food for both koi and catfish and am wondering if there is a single food that will be suitable for both or if I should buy two separate foods?

A little more info:

Koi and catfish are segregated in different pools
Neither are being grown for sale
All are adult or sub adult (smallest koi are 6+")

I'm looking for a food that is going to be high quality enough to keep them all happy, not gum up my system, and provide any possible micronutrients to the system.

I have somewhat narrowed my search to Zeigler Game fish food and Skretting Pond LE. Both are a bit pricey when I factor in shipping, so am hoping for a few more options that might be more cost effective or available locally.

**edit to say, I have also looked into Rangen fish feed

Purina Aquamax should be good for both: https://www.purinamills.com/products/fi ... ic=catfish

Can get it at or order through your local feed store. I don't know about those specific ones but a lot of pond/game foods are designed as a supplement versus a complete diet unlike food for recirculating aquaculture.

Not many purina dealers near me. Can't get the catfish 32 on the west coast so i got a bag of the catfish chow (https://www.purinamills.com/fish-and-aq ... sh-chow-sr).

it is a sinking food and i believe the fish have been accustomed to floating---will i need to train them to go for the sinking food or will they sniff it out naturally?

I can get Star Milling food locally, has anyone used them for both catfish and koi?

Thanks in advance!

>> Star Milling

not brand familiar with. https://www.starmilling.com/products-fish.php
But from web they appear to provide aquaculture pellets and koi food.
(as opposed to overpriced poor quality pet/pond/aquarium food like TetraPond, AquaOne etc)

Be careful of any product that specialises in overpriced small containers... it is usually crap.
You want to buy in bulk bags.

>> Neither are being grown for sale
presume you also mean, catfish not for eating ?

You should be fine with many of the commercial koi types.
Many would be available by post/online.

The greatest plant boost is moderate stocking with good quality high growth pellets,
but that is only really applicable where you are growing fish to eat.
Those foods are high protein and usually relatively expensive.

Just may have to supplement with a bit of organic liquid fertiliser (like seaweed extract etc) for the plants.
That would be most cost effective and broadest range of options anyway.


>> it is a sinking food and i believe the fish have been accustomed to floating---
>> will i need to train them to go for the sinking food or will they sniff it out naturally?

if your tanks are relatively deep and food slow sinking the koi will be fine.
However you probably want a koi food anyway, or at least a lower protein variety.


catfish will cope. if not worried about growth then they will get by just feeding around.
If worried about the catfish simply by a smaller lot of general sinking or the sinking catfish pellets,
they will mop this up.

** if your local seller is a Star Milling retailer then they should be able to access/order in the better Star Milling aquaculture/koi food. If just a pet store then forget it and go online...