Everything You Need To Know About Swell UK Pond Fish Food

No matter if you have goldfish, koi, sturgeon, or other fish, choosing the right food is important in maintaining clear pond water and healthy, active fish. In this guide, we will walk through the types of pond fish food, feeding recommendations, and tips for selecting the best diet for your pond fish.

How do I choose the best food for my pond fish?

Pond fish food isn't one size fits all; each species has different dietary requirements. Typically, this depends on the size of the fish, as well as their activity level, and even the time of year.

At Swell UK, we offer a large range of pond fish food from top brands including Nishikoi, Saki-Hikari, Tetra, and even our own Swell range, catering to every type of pond and species.

Types of pond fish food

Pond sticks

Floating sticks are a very popular choice of fish food as they are affordable and suitable for feeding Koi and goldfish daily. They're typically best for feeding small to medium size pond fish, such as goldfish or young Koi. They float on the surface of the pond to encourage surface feeding, allowing for an excellent view of your fish at feeding times. Typically available in a range of sizes, these sticks often contain colour enhancing ingredients, perfect for a vibrant pond.

Swell Recommends: Tetra Pond Sticks - full of essential nutrients and vitamins that support growth.

Tip: Feed only what your fish can consume within 3-5 minutes to avoid waste.

Floating pellets

Pellets are nutrient rich foods best suited for feeding Koi and other large ornamental pond fish. Their ingredients are often formulated to maximise growth or boost colouration. Floating pellets encourage your Koi to raise to the surface during feeding, encouraging natural behaviour. With a high protein content, often between 30-40%, these pellets are available in growth supporting and colour boosting varieties. They're denser than sticks, for a higher nutrient content, and often contain probiotics to aid digestion.

Swell Recommends: Nishikoi Growth Food - for healthy growth and strong bone formation.

Tip: Floating pellets allow you the opportunity to check on the health of your fish as they feed from the surface.

Sinking pellets

Sinking pellets are best for Sturgeon, Tench, or other deep dwelling fish. These pellets are packed full of nutrients that support the health of these species as well as boosting immunity. They have been designed to reduce surface food competition, ensuring your bottom feeders or shy fish get the nutrients they need. 

Swell Recommends: NT Labs Medikoi Sturgeon Food - high in protein, easy to digest, and full of nutrients.

Tip: Sinking pellets are also ideal for colder seasons when surface feeding isn't as suitable.

Pond flakes

Flakes are ideal for small or young fish with small mouths. They can even be crushed for tiny fish, and are easy to digest. They're ideal for feeding during the spring and summer months. Although flakes are not as popular as sticks or pellets for large ponds as they easily break up or blow away. Often, they are better suited in sheltered or indoor ponds.

Swell Recommends: Tetra Pond Flakes - a complete diet that enhances colour vibrancy.

Tip: Be sure to monitor feeding in windy weather, or only feed flakes in sheltered areas.

Wheatgerm

Wheatgerm based foods are high in fibre and easy to digest. As the water temperature drops in winter below 10-12°C, the metabolism of fish slows down significantly. Due to this, fish require fibre rich wheatgerm as opposed to protein rich pellets. These foods are only recommended for feeding during the Autumn and Winter months, to support the immune system and reduce waste.

Swell Recommends: Hikari Wheat-Germ - highly digestible, improves health and fertility.

Tip: Switch to wheatgerm based foods in late autumn and reduce feeding to 2-3 times a week during winter.

Dried treats

Dried foods like mealworms or silkworm pupae are a popular protein-rich treat. Although they are highly accepted by most fish species, treats should only be offered occasionally and should only be fed alongside a balanced staple diet.

Swell Recommends: Swell Koi Cocktail - contains over 51% protein, replicating food in the fish's natural habitat.

Tip: Avoid overfeeding with treats, uneaten food can cause health and water quality issues.

How often should I feed my pond fish?

• Spring to early autumn: Feed 1-2 times per day with sticks, pellets, or flakes.
• Late autumn and winter (when water is below 10°C): feed 2-3 times per week with wheatgerm based foods only.

Tip: It's always better to underfeed than overfeed. Overfeeding your fish causes higher waste levels, poor water quality, and health issues.

What makes a good fish food?

When choosing the best food for your pond fish look for:

• High quality protein content: to support growth and increase strength.
• Additives: ingredients like spirulina can boost colouration.
• Probiotics or fibre: for easy digestion.
• Seasonal foods: for example, wheatgerm in winter.
• Buoyancy: choose between floating or sinking foods depending on the species.
• Sizing: select the correct size to fit in the mouths of your fish.

Explore the range

Choosing the right fish food comes down to long term health and water clarity. From affordable staple diets to specialist foods, Swell UK has everything you need to provide a nutritious diet.

For more feeding advice, check out our Complete Guide To Pond Fish Food.

Browse our full range of pond fish food today, for all species, season, and budget.