Evaluation of NT Labs Medikoi Koi Foods (Nutrition Breakdown)

In order to live the longest, healthiest, happiest lives possible, koi need to be fed a balanced diet.

In general, most koi do well with 40 to 45% protein as fry and closer to 30% as adults; 5 to 15% lipids (fats); 10 to 30% carbohydrates (some sources argue on this amount, but lower is usually 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 directly from the water, but other essential vitamins and minerals must be acquired via ingestion.

They’re fully licensed with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, meaning that they don’t have to outsource manufacturing for medicines and are thus able to closely monitor and control the types and quality of medicines that they manufacture and sell. The medicines are also carefully studied and approved by the VMD agency.

As an added bonus, the entire Medikoi line is palm oil free, meaning that negative environmental impacts when harvesting resources for and creating these foods is minimized, particularly in sensitive rainforests ecosystems where hundreds of thousands of acres are cut down daily to make room for unsustainable palm oil plantations.

In total, there are nearly 67 million acres of palm oil plantations in the world that have resulted in a massive loss of crucial plant and animal biodiversity, so you can feel good about NT’s commitment to not contribute to that number.

1) Medikoi Probiotic Formula Review

The Medikoi probiotic formula is designed with champion koi in mind, but works just as well for any koi. This formula is available as medium (6 mm) pellets, making them ideal for larger koi but they can be broken up for smaller koi or goldfish, as well. This food is highly digestible, containing helpful probiotic bacteria found naturally in the gut, as well as a prebiotic known as fructo-oligosaccharide that feeds these bacteria (which in turn feed on harmful bacteria) and keeps them alive so that they have a chance to actually help your fish.

Formulated as an all-season feed, it’s best used within the temperature range of 41° F – 79° F (5° C – 26° C). Its primary ingredients are: first, fish meal; second, wheat; and third, krill meal. Proteins obtained from animal sources rather than from corn meal show that NT Labs doesn’t cut corners, and is more concerned with quality and health than getting cheaper ingredients. With a protein level of 38%, this food is ideal for both juvenile koi as well as active adult koi. The 8% fat content is obtained from pure fish oil that helps contribute to a healthy slime layer and scales.

Other essential nutrients include vitamin A, C, D, and E as well as the trace (but vital) elements iron, iodine, copper, manganese, and zinc. A crude fiber level of 1.4% makes this food very digestible and incredibly unlikely to bind up your fish or cause discomfort.

• Type: Medium pellets (floating)
• Season: All season
• Protein: 38% (1. Fish meal, 2. Krill meal)
• Fat: 8%
• Ash: 10%
• Vitamins: A, B, C, D, E, and minerals
• Immune Booster: Yes, Stimmune
• Color Enhancer: Yes, spirulina, krill meal

2) Medikoi Health Formula Review

The Medikoi health formula is a well-rounded feed designed to improve and maintain overall health for all pond fish. It’s available in small (3 mm) and medium (6 mm) pellets, making it ideal for most fish, large or small. Like the probiotic blend, the health formula contains Stimmune, a blend of beta-glucans that help boost white blood cell construction.

It also contains a naturally occurring resin-like material created by bees called propolis. Studies on propolis have found it to have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antimycotic, antifungal, antiulcer, and anticancer properties, as well as aiding in moderating the immune system.

The first three ingredients in the health blend are dehulled and toasted soybeans, wheat flour, and poultry meal. A 33% protein level make it suitable for most adult koi and a variety of other fish, and this protein comes from soybeans, poultry meal, fish meal, and wheatgerm. A moderate 5% fat content and 3.1% fiber round out this food and still make it readily digestible, as fish don’t require much fiber – too much can actually cause digestion issues and possible harmful blockages. Other nutrients include vitamin A, C, D, and E as well as iron, iodine, copper, manganese, and zinc.

• Type: Small and medium pellets (floating)
• Season: All season
• Protein: 33% (1. Soybeans, 2. Poultry meal)
• Fat: 5%
• Ash: 6.3%
• Vitamins: A, B, C, D, E, and minerals
• Immune Booster: Yes, Stimmune, propolis, herbal blend
• Color Enhancer: No

3) Medikoi Growth Formula Review

Medikoi growth formula pellets is a complete feed designed for all fish during the warmer months to maximize growth in a healthily sustainable manner. A high protein level of 40% help fuel that growth, and is primarily obtained from fishmeal, which is treated at low heat so as to not break down the essential amino acids.

The secondary protein source comes from dehulled and toasted soybeans. This food is also rich in readily absorbed Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, which help promote healthy skin, scales, and growth while also minimizing waste and water pollution via fish waste. Stimmune, a staple in the Medikoi line, helps boost the immune system.

A moderate 7% fat level make this 6 mm food ideal for warmer temperatures when fish burn more energy and require a bit more fat (though they should never have more than 15% of their diet come from lipids). 2.2% fiber, along with vitamins A, C, D, and E and the trace elements iron, iodine, copper, manganese, and zinc complete this food.

• Type: Medium pellets (floating)
• Season: Warm weather (above 54° F/12° C)
• Protein: 40% (1. Fish meal, 2. Soybeans)
• Fat: 7%
• Ash: 6.8%
• Vitamins: A, B, C, D, E, and minerals
• Immune Booster: Yes, Stimmune
• Color Enhancer: Yes, krill meal

4) Medikoi Wheatgerm Formula Review

The Medikoi wheatgerm with garlic formula was specially designed by NT Labs to maximize digestion and the immune system during the cool/cold months of autumn and winter. It’s ideal for all types of pond fish, and, of course, also contains garlic. Dozens of studies have found that garlic is a powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory.

It’s well-known in aquaculture that garlic helps to naturally deter parasites as well – the beneficial sulfuric compounds in garlic are excreted through the fish’s skin and thus help prevent and treat parasites like white spot and flukes.

Available in small (3 mm) and medium (6 mm) pellets, this food is well suited for any size fish. With a low protein content of 21%, this Medikoi formula is easier to digest during cold weather when fish metabolism and activity drop significantly. The primary protein sources are easily digestible wheatgerm and soybeans. The crude fat and fiber content are the same at 5%, also lending to easy processing during cool weather.

Its other components include the trace elements iron, iodine, copper, manganese, zinc, and vitamins A, C, D, and E. Unlike the other Medikoi foods, this winter formula also contains selenium, further adding to its antioxidant prowess.

• Type: Small and medium pellets (floating)
• Season: Cool season
• Protein: 21% (1. Wheatgerm, 2. Soybeans)
• Fat: 5%
• Ash: 6%
• Vitamins: A, B, C, D, E, and minerals
• Immune Booster: Yes, garlic
• Color Enhancer: No