Top Koi Food Brands for Optimal Fish Health and Vibrant Colors

Koi fish owners understand the importance of providing high-quality food to ensure their vibrant and healthy growth. With a plethora of brands available on the market, selecting the best options for your koi can be overwhelming. Some brands stand out due to their focus on nutrition, quality ingredients, and reputation among koi enthusiasts. For those eager to discover the top koi food brands that can help their fish thrive, we invite you to explore the comprehensive list below.

Illustration of koi food

Best brands of koi food in 2025

Hikari

Hikari, a renowned brand from Kyorin Food Industries, Ltd., is highly regarded for its premium koi food, offering formulations that promote championship form and healthy growth in koi. With a history dating back to 1877, Hikari's expertise is evident in products like Saki-Hikari Balance, which contains at least 40% crude protein and is designed for daily feeding to support predictable growth and superior form. Hikari's foods are enriched with probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, ensuring optimal digestive health and nutrient utilization. The brand's commitment to quality has made it a staple in the global koi market, which was valued at USD 2.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.20% until 2030. Hikari's products are particularly popular in the Asia Pacific region, where Japan dominates the koi market with its centuries-old breeding traditions.

Tetra

Tetra is a renowned brand in the fish food industry, particularly esteemed for its high-quality koi food products. Since 1951, Tetra has developed a comprehensive body of fish food knowledge, making it a trusted name among fish-keeping enthusiasts. Their TetraPond Koi Growth food is a high-protein formulation ideal for rapid growth in young koi and ornamental goldfish, containing essential amino acids and designed for easy digestion. This product is especially recommended for late spring and early summer feeding when water temperatures are 50°F and above. With a strong market presence, Tetra continues to innovate and meet the nutritional needs of koi fish globally.

API

API is a highly regarded brand in the koi food market, known for its superior pellet diet that enhances immune health, color, and growth of koi. The API Pond Fish Food boasts a high protein percentage, resulting in less ammonia and waste production, making it an environmentally friendly choice. This food is particularly praised for its affordability while delivering premium benefits, making it a favorite among koi enthusiasts. With its focus on high protein utilization, API's food ensures optimal nutrition for koi, supporting their overall health and vibrancy. This brand is part of a larger market that has seen significant growth, with the global koi market projected to reach $3.92 billion by 2028.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is renowned as one of the best producers of koi food, offering a balanced nutritional diet that enhances growth and promotes resistance to stress and disease in koi and goldfish. Their Growth Blend formula contains a special mix of vitamins and minerals, with a guaranteed analysis of at least 36% crude protein, 6% crude fat, and 0.75% phosphorus. This formula is backed by Blue Ridge Koi & Goldfish Food Satisfaction Guarantee, ensuring quality and customer satisfaction. As an established and respected fish hatchery, Blue Ridge has a long history of providing high-quality feed for their own hatchery stock, reflecting their commitment to excellence. The ingredients include dehulled soybean meal, fish meal, and various essential vitamins and minerals. You can explore more about their Growth Blend formula on their website.

Dainichi

Dainichi is a renowned brand in the koi industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality koi food products. Their All Season medium floating pellet, for instance, contains 38% crude protein, 6% crude fat, and 2% crude fiber, ensuring optimal nutrition for koi fish. In 2023, Dainichi Koi Farm launched a new online sales platform to expand its reach and meet the growing demand for premium koi fish globally. The brand's commitment to nutritional excellence is evident in its unique two-step application of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins C and E, to enhance the fish's appearance. This dedication has made Dainichi a trusted name among koi enthusiasts and breeders.

Saki-Hikari

Saki-Hikari, a premium brand from Hikari, is renowned for producing high-quality koi food that promotes championship-grade development. Their diets, such as Saki-Hikari Balance and Saki-Hikari Growth, feature advanced formulations with at least 40% crude protein, up to 9% crude fat, and added probiotics to enhance digestive health and growth efficiency, with some diets achieving a feed efficiency of 120%. These diets are designed to support optimal growth, superior form, and brilliant luster without negative impacts on the koi's white areas. Hikari has over a century of experience and has been recognized with awards, including the "Brand of the Year" award at the 2019 World Branding Awards Animalis Edition. Their products are manufactured to exacting standards, ensuring top-quality nutrition for koi.

Mazuri

Mazuri is a leading brand in producing high-quality koi food, committed to researching, formulating, and validating nutrition since 1989. Their Koi Platinum Nuggets contain 36.0% crude protein, 3.0% crude fat, and 0.90% phosphorus, making them an excellent choice for koi and large goldfish. Mazuri products are trusted by over 1,600 zoos and countless exotic animal owners worldwide. The brand ensures consistent and high-quality nutrition, which is why it is the number one choice for exotic pets and zoos. Mazuri's dedication to quality is evident in their rigorous product registration and ingredient standards.

Blackwater Creek

Blackwater Creek Koi Farms is renowned for producing high-quality koi food, formulated to increase growth, reduce waste, and provide balanced nutrition at an economical cost. Their diets, such as the Blackwater Color Enhancing Koi food, contain over 30% of natural color enhancers to maximize vibrancy in koi and goldfish. The food is typically made less than 90 days from the time it is shipped, ensuring freshness. With a guaranteed analysis of at least 38% crude protein and 6% crude fat, Blackwater Creek's koi foods are developed through extensive testing and trials. This commitment to quality has made Blackwater Creek a trusted choice among hobbyists worldwide.

Laguna

Laguna is renowned as one of the best producers of koi food, offering a premium range that caters to the specific dietary needs of koi fish. Their koi food is meticulously formulated to promote optimal growth, vivid coloration, and overall vitality, with a focus on high-quality ingredients and nutritional balance. The Laguna Color Enhancing Food, for instance, contains 38% protein to support skeletal and muscle health and includes stabilized Vitamin C and Spirulina to enhance color vibrancy. This food is designed to be easily digestible and does not cloud pond water, making it an excellent choice for all life stages of koi. With a commitment to providing essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, Laguna's koi food ensures the health and well-being of your fish. For more details, visit their koi food product page.

Aqua Master

Aqua Master is renowned as one of the top producers of koi food, particularly praised for its high-quality ingredients and significant impact on koi growth and health. Users such as Johan Jacobs and Ernst Van Dyk, who have won Grand Champion awards, attest to its effectiveness. Aqua Master is often mixed with other foods, like Shogun, to achieve optimal results, with a common ratio of 80/20. This brand is favored by many koi enthusiasts due to its ability to promote healthy growth and minimal waste. Despite being more expensive than some alternatives, its benefits in water quality and koi health make it a valuable choice. You can find more details about the product on their website: Aqua Master Growth Koi Food.