Food Koi
Koi Pond: Fish or No Fish?
What is a koi pond without koi? A pond! Now that is boring…
Many clients who want a waterfall and koi pond do not want koi fish to take care of. Actually, a pond will require less attention with fish than without. If a koi pond has a waterfall to aerate the water, koi fish will produce waste that is broken down by nitrifying bacteria into nitrate nitrogen, and water plants will use the nitrogen and thrive. In turn, the koi fish eat the algae and small water insects that live on the rocks and plant roots. And those bugs eat other smaller bugs that eat microscopic bugs that eat bad bacteria bugs. This is called the nitrogen cycle. A properly balanced koi pond like this will pretty much take care of itself.
Koi fish food can get lodged in the plants, rocks and vegetation around the perimeter of the koi pond. If the koi fish cannot find the food, it simply decays, adding unnecessary nitrates to the water and resulting in more food for algae to grow. To eliminate this problem I fashioned what I term as a Koi Fish Food Corral made from a 4 to 5 foot piece of 1-1/2 inch flexible PVC pipe and fastened together with a single 1-1/2 inch coupling, creating a circular corral.
This corral keeps the koi food in one place, and prevents it from floating off into rock crevices, plants or the skimmer. Plus it allows for the proper portioning of koi food. It is easy to tell if you’ve given the koi fish too much. If food is still there after a couple of minutes and the koi fish seem to have had enough, they have, and you should remove the leftovers. Lay it in the sun to dry and feed it to them later. It is easy to collect the extra food that the koi fish don’t eat by using a small net. It is better to feed them too little than too much. In a case like this, more is not better.
Sometimes my clients originally expressed a concern that koi fish would be a burden or a hassle. They would worry about having to feed them daily, or what they would do when going on vacation. I would explain that the koi fish are extremely important with regard to their contribution to the nitrogen cycle. The nitrogen cycle is what makes a koi pond low in maintenance and nearly self-sufficient.
As long as you only stock the koi pond with small fish such as guppies and mosquito fish, they will never need to be fed. They can exist solely on food that the pond provides naturally.
A chlorinated pond, on the other hand, requires continuous maintenance. The chlorine dissipates from the water as it flows over the falls and turns into chlorine gas. This means that fresh chlorine needs to be added regularly and your backyard will smell like a swimming pool all the time. The chlorine also causes many minerals and suspended particles to precipitate and build up on the rocks, causing unsightly white stains in the water’s path.
When chlorine is not added regularly, leaves and other decaying debris in the pond will cause algae to grow, turning the pond green. So after convincing the client to give my suggestion a try, I returned a few weeks later to find that they have not only purchased some large koi fish, but have given them all cute names, like Charlie and Doug.
If the client wishes to have larger fish such as koi, the nitrogen cycle will need a little extra help from a biological filter and an ultraviolet light. The larger the number and size of the koi fish, the greater the waste material produced. This means that some of it must be removed from the water. Increased quantities of nitrates and nitrites increase the amount of ammonia and other by-products such as pea soup algae, the type that turns the water green. A biological filter will aid in the breakdown of toxic nitrites into less harmful nitrates, and an ultraviolet light will kill algae spores and disease-causing pathogens as they pass through the UV light on the way to the filter.
So, what else can I say to convince you to get fish? They are fun to watch? They are cute? They come in handy during times of famine? Got fish? Got turtles? Got tadpoles? No? Then, get some! Your pond will be much more appealing and exciting. It is like having the Learning Channel or Discovery Channel in your back yard.
Every day brings a new discovery: baby fish hatching; a dragonfly struggling from its cocoon; a tadpole slowly, very slowly, turning into a frog; two crayfish, doing what they do to make baby crayfish… now that is a discovery! A turtle, shedding its shell… now that is a miracle. If you have kids or grandkids, or neighbor kids, grab some or all of them and make it an adventure. Pile them into the car or bus and go to the local pond store and gather up a passel of predacious and peculiar pond creatures. Better yet — build a koi pond first and then do it.
Happy koi, peace and joy.
About the Author
V20 5/3/09 My New Koi Food
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40 Pound Bag CHENGRO Spring & Fall 3-Season Koi Food $129.99 |
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10 lb 36% Protein KOI FOOD – 3/16″ Floating Pellet – GREAT FOOD – FREE SHIPPING $24.95 |
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Sera Koi / Goldfish Color Food LG Sticks 10 ltr bucket $26.11 |
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46% PROTEIN 1/2 LB 3/32″ sink/floating FISH FOOD koi/Tilapia/Bass/cichild $3.65 |
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46% PROTEIN 2 LB 3/32″ sink/floating FISH FOOD koi/Tilapia/Bass/Catfish/cichild $14.89 |
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HIKARI GOLD MEDIUM PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 4.4 lb. $56.88 |
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Hikari Staple Koi Food 11 Lb – Large Pellet $59.99 |
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Crystal Clear Year Round Koi and Goldfish Food Small Pellet 4 Kg Bag $48.95 |
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Crystal Clear Year Round Koi and Goldfish Food Large Pellet 9 Kg Bucket $84.95 |
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50 LBS FLOATING KOI FISH FOOD – FAST FREE SHIPPING!!! $64.75 |
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Sera Koi / Goldfish Color Food LG Sticks 1000ml $5.65 |
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Sera Koi & Pond Fish Summer Food Pellets 4.4lbs $37.18 |
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Sera Koi / Goldfish Color Food LG Sticks 1lb / 3000ml $9.75 |
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6/ 5 Pound Bags CHENGRO Spring & Fall 3-Season Koi Food $120.00 |
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TETRA POND FLOATING KOI & GOLDFISH STICKS 4.41 OZ FOOD BONUS SIZE FREE SHIP USA $9.79 |
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VIBRANCE TETRA POND FLOATING KOI STICKS 6.17 OZ FOOD FREE SHIPPING IN THE USA $10.49 |
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1/4 POUND ~ Summer KOI & GOLDFISH Floating PELLETS (3.0mm) ~ POND Fish Food $11.99 |
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1/4 POUND ~ Spring/Fall KOI & GOLDFISH Floating PELLETS (5.0mm) ~ POND Fish Food $11.99 |
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One 5 pound bag YAMAKOSHI Staple Select Koi Food Now Enhanced W/ Pro Biotics $24.95 |
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Pond Cleaner Pondcare 181B Summer Staple Koi Fish Food Premium Pellet, 41-Ounce $31.95 |
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Hai Feng Quick Grow Koi Food Medium Pellet – 33 lb. Bag $123.80 |
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50 Lbs. Floating KOI FOOD – Best Bulk Price on Ebay. Buy now, no need to Haggle! $69.00 |
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TETRA POND FOOD, KOI VIBRANCE COLOR STICKS 16.5LB. $59.99 |
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51 lb BULK FLOATING PELLET FISH FOOD for KOI GOLDFISH – Pond Pellets $58.00 |
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Shrimp Freeze Dried Fish Food Turtle Koi 100g (3.6 oz) $2.49 |
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Cool Weather Wheat Germ Koi Food (Blue Ridge) $17.55 |
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Cool Weather Wheat Germ Koi Food (Blue Ridge) $24.70 |
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Cool Weather Wheat Germ Koi Food (Blue Ridge) $82.99 |
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TETRA POND COLOR STICKS 4.94OZ KOI GOLDFISH ENHANCING FOOD FREE SHIP IN THE USA $9.98 |
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TETRA POND VARIETY STICKS 5.29 OZ KOI GOLDFISH ENHANCING FOOD FREE SHIP IN USA $9.18 |
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HIKARI STAPLE MINI PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 4.4 lb. $35.88 |
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50 lb BULK FLOATING PELLET KOI FOOD FISH POND AQUARIUM $37.95 |
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HIKARI STAPLE MEDIUM PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 4.4 lb. $35.88 |
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HIKARI STAPLE LARGE PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 4.4 lb. $35.88 |
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HIKARI STAPLE MINI PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 11 lb. $59.88 |
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HIKARI STAPLE LARGE PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 11 lb. $59.88 |
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HIKARI STAPLE MINI PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 22 lb. $103.88 |
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HIKARI STAPLE LARGE PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 22 lb. $103.88 |
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HIKARI WHEAT GERM MINI PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 4.4 lb $41.88 |
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HIKARI WHEAT GERM MEDIUM PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 4.4 lb $41.88 |
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HIKARI WHEAT GERM MEDIUM PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 11 lb $71.88 |
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HIKARI WHEAT GERM LARGE PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 11 lb $71.88 |
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HIKARI WHEAT GERM SINKING PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 11 lb $80.88 |
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HIKARI WHEAT GERM MEDIUM PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 33 lb $174.88 |
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HIKARI WHEAT GERM LARGE PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 33 lb $174.88 |
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HIKARI HI GROWTH LARGE PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 4 lb $51.88 |
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2012 Spring Pond Care Kit-water plant fertilizer/koi fish food-barley straw-safe $116.25 |
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HIKARI SPIRULINA LARGE PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 11 lb $174.88 |
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HIKARI EXCEL MEDIUM PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 17.6 oz $34.88 |
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HIKARI EXCEL MEDIUM PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 11 lb $142.99 |
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Goldfish and Koi Floating Food Small Pellet 7-Ounce NEW $6.30 |
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HIKARI ECONOMY MEDIUM PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 8.8 lb $47.88 |
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HIKARI ECONOMY LARGE PELLET KOI FISH FOOD 8.8 lb $47.88 |
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16oz LAGUNA CLEAR FAST – Clears water in koi pond food $23.50 |
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67.5oz LAGUNA CLEAR FAST – Clears water in koi pond food $35.00 |
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Medi-Koi Medicated Koi Food 3lbs $32.95 |
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Medi-Koi Medicated Koi Food 8lbs $59.95 |
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Medi-Koi Medicated Koi Food 1.25lbs $14.95 |
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Thrive Koi Brilliance All Season Diet Color Enhancing Koi Fish Food – 5lb box $25.00 |
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Thrive Koi Brilliance All Season Diet Color Enhancing Koi Fish Food – 10lb box $40.00 |
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fish pellets pellet koi gold pond food 1 lb 16oz $11.35 |
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fish pellets koi gold pond food 1/2 lb 8oz $8.29 |
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Thrive Koi Brilliance All Season Diet Color Enhancing Koi Fish Food – 20lb box $65.00 |
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Microbe-Lift Legacy Koi & Goldfish Sinking Pellet Food – 3 lbs. Bulk $9.99 |
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Microbe-Lift Legacy Koi & Goldfish Sinking Pellet Food – 5 lbs. Bulk $16.65 |
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Microbe-Lift Legacy Koi & Goldfish Sinking Pellet Food – 7 lbs. Bulk $23.31 |
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Thrive Koi Brilliance All Season Diet Color Enhancing Koi Fish Food – 30lb box $90.00 |
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Thrive Koi Brilliance All Season Diet Color Enhancing Koi Fish Food – 50lb box $140.00 |
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Thrive Koi Flourish High Protein Diet Healthy Growth Koi Fish Food – 5lb box $25.00 |
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Thrive Koi Flourish High Protein Diet Healthy Growth Koi Fish Food – 10lb box $40.00 |
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Thrive Koi Flourish High Protein Diet Healthy Growth Koi Fish Food – 20lb box $65.00 |
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Hikari Wheat-Germ 15kg Medium Koi Food 33lb M Wheat $144.95 |
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Thrive Koi Flourish High Protein Diet Healthy Growth Koi Fish Food – 30lb box $90.00 |
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Hikari Wheat-Germ 15kg Large Koi Food 33lb L Wheat Germ $144.95 |
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Thrive Koi Flourish High Protein Diet Healthy Growth Koi Fish Food – 50lb box $140.00 |
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Hagen Laguna Goldfish/Koi Floating Food Large Pellet 9.9 Pound New Laguna Hagen $37.73 |
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HIKARI WHEAT GERM 3.5oz Mini ~ koi & pond fish food $2.99 |
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HIKARI WHEAT GERM 7.0oz Mini ~ koi & pond fish food $5.29 |
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2 LB FLOATING FISH FOOD – PONDS KOI AQUARIUMS FLOAT FD $4.95 |
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10 LB FLOATING FISH FOOD – PONDS KOI AQUARIUM FLOATING $29.99 |
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Saki Hikari Koi and Goldfish food Growth Diet 4.4lb $59.95 |
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3 1/2 + lb. Bag Koi Food Floating Pellet ~Catfish,Goldfish,Pacu,Arrowana $5.99 |
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10 lb 36% Protein KOI FOOD – 3/16″ Floating Pellet – GREAT FOOD – FREE SHIPPING $24.95 |
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FF35B1/8″ Premium Floating Koi pellet fish food 35%13# oscar cichlid flowerhorn $39.99 |
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FF45 45% Pro float/sink African Cichlid food 1/16″ 3 lb koi guppy molly clown $23.99 |
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FF35B1/4″ Premium Floating Koi pellet fish food 35%12# oscar pacu arowana shark $38.99 |
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FF35MB Floating ANTIBIOTIC terramycin koi fish food 12# oscar goldfish cichlid $46.99 |
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SF45B NEW African Cichlid 45% sinking 1/16″ 11 lb fish food koi fresh saltwater $43.99 |
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Sera Koi & Pond Fish Spring & Autumn Food Pellets 2.2lb $23.64 |
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Sera Koi & Pond Fish Summer Food Pellets 2.2lbs $23.48 |
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40# Yamakoshi Growth & Color Pond Koi Food STIX $149.99 |
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Koi food bulk 10 lb Oscar Grow fish pellet 40% Protein $28.00 |
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WATER PENNYWORT PLANTS ~ KOI POND ~ ALL NATURAL PEOPLE, FISH AND TURTLE FOOD $9.99 |
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Duckweed Hearty floating pond plant aquarium plant Koi food pond plant $9.99 |
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20 lb (41% 3/16″) FLOATING PELLET FISHFOOD KOI Food $65.00 |
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TETRA KOI VIBRANCE FOOD 3.08 LB BUCKET FISH FOOD $18.88 |
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TETRA POND KOI GROWTH FOOD 4.85lb = 7 LITER BAG $39.88 |
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TETRA POND VARIETY BLEND KOI FISH FOOD 1.33LB = 1 LITER $32.88 |
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TETRA POND VARIETY BLEND KOI FISH FOOD 2.25LB = 7 LITER $39.88 |
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Laguna Goldfish & Koi Food Medium Pellet 2.2 lb $11.49 |
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Tupperware Ideal Little Kids Bowl Set of 3 with Seals $8.50 3 bowls in nice colors for kids and toddlers…. |
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2 Strainer Basket $83.99 Screens out large debris to protect your external pump from damage that could be caused by small sticks or gravel…. |
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Ito En Oi Ocha Japanese Green Tea, 16.9-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 12) $20.90 tea is the most popular green tea beverage in Japan. Oi Ocha is brewed from prime first flush green tea leaves, meaning it is a brew of the finest quality leaves, from the first harvest of the spring. Brisk and refreshing, Oi Ocha offers an authentic Japanese taste, the result of ITO EN’s patented natural clear production method, which yields superb clarity and a natural green tea taste. Wi… |
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Sahale Snacks, Pomegranate Pistachios with Almonds, Cherries + Black Pepper (15 Oz) $15.95 Sahale Snacks, Pomegranate Pistachios with Almonds, Cherries + Black Pepper (15 Oz). Exotic, yet accessible tastes combine in this blend inspired by some of our favorite Moroccan flavors. Pistachios, pomegranate and lemon with a hint of pepper complemented with cherries and almonds in an irresistible balance…. |
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Pond Sticks 16457 Size: 176 oz. Features: -Sticks.-Ideal maintenance diet that provides nutrition for energy, longevity, and overall health.-Feed in spring, summer, and fall, when water temperatures are 50 degrees and above.-Premium nutrition for goldfish and koi.-Capacity: 3.53 oz..-Capacity: 16 oz..-Capacity: 27.52 oz..-Capacity: 40 oz.. Options: -Available in several sizes. Dimensions: -59.2 oz: 3.5” H x … |
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Ed Hardy Koi Fish Crystal Cling Bling $0.99 The licensed Ed Hardy “Koi” cling blings decal is a brand new item just released. Is easy to apply and adheres instantly to most surfaces such as glass, plastic, mirror or metal. Great for car windows, lockers, notebooks, etc. Jeweled decal with vibrant colors Removable and reusable on most surfaces. Holds up under adverse weather conditions. Measures 5 3/4″ x 4 1/2″… |
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Ed Hardy Koi Fish Seat Covers (Pair) $39.99 Officially licensed Ed Hardy seat covers that are black in color and are sold in a pair (2 seat covers). They are universal bucket seat covers and fit most seats with built-in or adjustable headrests. The covers provides protection against spills, stains, fading, pet hair and foot prints, crumbs, dirt, covers up torn seats and adds a nice change to the interior of your vehicle in minutes. They wil… |
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Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa – Sore Throat Syrup – 100% Natural (Honey Loquat Flavored) (10 Fl. Oz. – 300 Ml.) Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa Family Size is an herbal cough syrup intended to relieve discomfort and protect irritate areas of sore throat and mouth. It is a pleasant tasting natural herbal based liquid especially formulated to treat these symptoms…. |
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Total Koi Wheat Germ Food – 7.75 X 4.75 X 14 $31.29 The Total Koi Wheat germ floating formula is a highly digestible food that is excellent has an autumn and winter diet. It is formulated to deliver the correct protein, nutrient, and vitamin content to koi in cooler weather. Feed as Much as Fish Can Consume In 5 Minutes…. |
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Hikari koi excel medium 17.6oz $17.83 “Floating Pellet that will not cloud the water. Allows easy monitoring of amount eaten. Helps eliminate over-feeding. Reduces water quality problems. More economical. Color Enhancement. High in pure, cultured spirulina, a natural color enhancer. Rich in vitamin E derived from select wheat-germ. Promotes rapid color enhancement. Helps develop extraordinarily glossy appearance and luster to the skin… |