Evaluation & Review of Mazuri Koi Food (Nutrition Breakdown)
A balanced diet is essential for koi to live as long, healthy, and happy of a life as possible. As fry, most koi do well with 40 to 45% protein, while adults require closer to 30%; 5 to 15% lipids; 10 to 30% carbohydrates (some sources argue on this, but lower is typically better to prevent liver damage); and an adequate amount of cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and zinc. Magnesium and iron can simply be obtained from the water, but other essential vitamins and minerals must be acquired via food consumption.
Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition is a US based company that is world-renowned for their high quality foods engineered for an impressive number of animal types and species. Zoos, veterinarians, and pet owners alike have come to trust Mazuri to feed their animals – kangaroos, rhinos, bearded dragons, sharks, gorillas, turtles, cockatoos, pigs, and koi (among many others!) can all be provided for by Mazuri. They have offices around the world (though none currently in the UK) and employ specialized nutritionists and researchers to ensure that all foods are balanced and properly tested.
Their foods come in a variety of formulas to serve a variety of functions. For koi, they have two primary formulas: their regular, all-season, complete nutrition formula, and their platinum formula to maximize growth and enhance color. These both come in several sizes, but here we will focus on reviewing the nuggets in particular, which is Mazuri’s medium size. For small (under 6”) or large (greater than 12”) fish, these same two formulas are respectively available in “bits” and “ogata.”
1) Mazuri Koi Pond Nuggets Food Review
- Watch your fish thrive with complete nutrition. Fortified with vitamins and minerals and no fish supplements needed.
- Get vibrant coloration. With ingredients that support pigmentation.
- Optimize development. High protein level helps tissues and muscles grow.
The Mazuri koi pond formula is a general, well-rounded feed that can be used in any season for pond koi (as with any feed, decrease or stop feeding during cold weather). This formula is available in one size that is suitable for koi six inches or larger. It can also be used for larger goldfish. Though listed as a general feed, this formula does still boast added ingredients like brewer’s yeast, biotin, and spirulina to boost the immune system, scale health, and color. 33% crude protein and a fairly low fat content of 2.5% round out this food.
Protein is primarily obtained from dehulled soybean meal, secondarily from fish meal, with the tertiary protein source being wheat middlings. Though some may prefer an aquaculture protein as the primary source, having a plant-based protein can provide multiple benefits, including protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. The amino acid profile of plant based proteins, particularly soy protein, are entirely different from animal proteins, so having both of these can actually help round out a feed and provide a more balanced amino acid profile for your fish.
Crude fiber levels in this food measure out to 6%; this is a bit high, but should be just fine for warm-season feeding. Fiber levels closer to 2-3% are recommended for winter feeds, so do keep that in mind here. The vitamin and mineral profile boasts an impressive spread: biotin, folate, thiamine, riboflavin, manganese, zinc, iron, copper sulfate, cobalt, iodine, selenium, magnesium, phosphorous, and vitamins A, C, D3, E, B3, B5, B6, B12, and K, among others.
It also contains helpful ingredients like DL-Methionine, which treats and prevents urinary issues like kidney stones; choline chloride, a salt that improves nervous system functioning and increases size and muscle mass by streamlining the body’s utilization of food energy while minimizing waste; and rosemary extract, a natural antioxidant.
- Type: Medium pellets (floating)
- Season: Use above 60° F
- Protein: 33% (1. Soybean meal, 2. Fish meal)
- Fat: 2.5%
- Ash: 9%
- Vitamins: A, C, D3, E, B3, B5, B6, B12, K, and minerals
- Immune Booster: Yes, brewer’s yeast, rosemary extract
- Color Enhancer: Yes, spirulina
2) Mazuri Platinum Koi Nuggets Food Review
- Complete nutrition, fortified with vitamins and minerals - No supplement needed.
- Floating pellets - Supports natural foraging behavior and helps monitor food intake and prevent over-feeding.
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids and a high level of vitamin C to help support the immune system.
The Mazuri Platinum koi formula is similar to the previous formula, except it contains more protein for amplified growth and is absolutely loaded with natural color enhancers. It’s designed to amplify and brighten reds, whites, and yellows without causing discoloration, and works best for koi, goldfish, and cichlids.
The four natural color enhancers in this formula are spirulina, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin, and beta carotene. Biotin is included as well to ensure scale strength and health. It comes in the same medium size as the previous feed, and works best for koi and goldfish 6 to 12 inches in size.
The crude protein sits at 36%, with the primary sources again being dehulled soybean meal, fish meal, and wheat middlings, respectively. The fat content sits at an easily metabolized 3%, while the fairly high 6% fiber content is best for warm-season feeding. The vitamin and mineral profile is much the same as the previous feed, consisting of biotin, folate, thiamine, riboflavin, manganese, zinc, iron, copper sulfate, cobalt, iodine, selenium, magnesium, phosphorous, and vitamins A, C, D3, E, B3, B5, B6, B12, and K.
It contains the same added ingredients DL-Methionine for urinary health; choline chloride for neurotransmitter health as well as optimized growth and decreased waste; and rosemary extract as an antioxidant. This feed also includes anhydrous betaine, a naturally occurring amino acid that improves liver function while also boosting the growth of and energy usage by muscles. This form of betaine is used widely by human athletes to enhance performance, but it’s not uncommon to find it in certain animal feeds like this one.
- Type: Medium pellets (floating)
- Season: Use above 60° F
- Protein: 36% (1. Soybean meal, 2. Fish meal)
- Fat: 3%
- Ash: 9%
- Vitamins: A, C, D3, E, B3, B5, B6, B12, K, and minerals
- Immune Booster: Yes, brewer’s yeast, rosemary extract
- Color Enhancer: Yes, spirulina, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin, beta carotene