Are there animals or birds coming up to the edge when you are not there. That could keep them skittish. I supplement the Koi sticks with Tetramin Pro. It is much more dense than the flakes and they seem to like it a lot better than the flakes that result in a gooey mess on everything. It is more expensive but doesn't go to waste.

I'm no pro, but my koi get skittish like that every time there is a predator around. They stay that way for about 2 weeks then ease back up. Yours may just still be adjusting to life in the new home!

Ccoombs, that's an awesome idea. I can't wait to buy some shrimp. When my niece was a baby I let her sit on the edge of the top pond and the little koi would nibble her toes, but I have never gotten them to where they would eat out of my hand.

Thanks for the suggestions! Keep them coming!

Sleepless....my cat will drink from the pond. I've watched him do it while the koi are feeding. They don't even take notice of him nor he of them. I wasn't expecting that from either of them! I was completely prepared to have to jump in and rescue one of my cats from the pond after they tried to catch a fish!

ccombs...you mean just go to the store, buy some fresh shrimp, boil them up and there you go? Do I need to cut them up into koi bite sized pieces?

Love this forum! Thanks everyone!

How big are your koi? Small koi, say under 8 inches or so, are more skittish than larger koi. It's survival instinct, and if your koi are small, the behavior will probably last until they're larger. Mine behaved the same way.

Now, as soon as I walk outside, my entire herd come to meet me and follow me along the edge to the feeding spot. If I'm working on the flowers around the edge, they're right there watching me.

You might try holding a handful of pellets right at the surface of the water and let them slowly drift out of your hand. Let the fish see that the food is coming from your hand, not just falling out of the sky.

Koi are wonderful pets, and trust me, yours will warm to you if you're patient.

You can use larger shrimp. Once they are cooked, the koi can nibble bits off of them as you hold the shrimp. Soon they will be chowing down like piranhas!!

Dig up earth worms, thy are crazy for them.
What you have to do is sit on a chair by the pond.

Eventually they will get used to seeing your face :) When you sit by the pond throw in some food occasionally.

It will take time, however once they get use to you and come running as soon as they see you, then you can begin hand feeding. They will learn to hand feed with earth worms in no time flat.

ccombs..thanks for the shrimp follow up. I know we have some frozen ones in the freezer somewhere. May as well make use of them!

Nancy...I think you might be on to something there. My little guys are only in the 4-6" range. They probably just need time to grow and to adjust to their new surroundings, me, my fiance and my Tonks. I'm sure as the summer progresses and they get bigger, I'll see a big difference in their behavior.

Cliff and Joann...I have a very avid walleye angler in the family who is ALWAYS outside after a good rain collecting nightcrawlers. I'll be sure to ask him to get a few extra for the koi!

Thanks for all the ideas everyone! I'm so excited to see my little fish family grow and bond with me!

Thanks again for the ideas everyone!

Just an update...I've been spending hours sitting by the pond letting the fish see me. Every so often I'll throw out a food pellet or two or a little treat like cut up worms or shrimp.

Though they still won't get too close when they are eating, they are definitely warming up to me. Now when they see me they all come up to the surface and start swimming around in excited circles. It is SO FUN to see the gang come up to meet me! :-)

If you want your koi fish to eat out of your hand the key is baby steps. From personal experience I can tell you Koi Fish even in a well maintained pond are very sensitive to their environment. When you approach the pond it is key to make sure your in a calm state of mind. I have a koi pond in my home and I love to sit beside the pond and just rest. The more calm you are the closer they will come to you.

Bring some worms with you and only use them as a treat for the one who is closes to you. One will likely be more curious than others if only slightly. He will likely be the first one to allow you to feed him from your palm. Once he does the others will more than likely follow. Its all about trust . Don't chase after a koi's attention. Any agitation in you and it will reflect on your koi's temperament. It will take time but the best friendships often do!

Best wishes,

nebuanhk

i use koi krunchies,they look like cheese doodlles.i lay down with my hand in the water,very still and with patience,they will slowly come over.try throwing some in the pond for a few days,so they get used the them.it takes them a while but they will feed out of your hand.my grand children love it

As soon as they get use to seeing your face they will react

like hungry puppies and they'll follow you all around the pond.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak6GlOA19YY