How to Read a Koi Food Label (Protein, Ash & Ingredients)
Koi food marketing can be loud — “premium,” “champion grade.” The label cuts through it. Learn the guaranteed analysis and the ingredient list and you can judge any food on its merits, not its packaging.
Part 1: The guaranteed analysis
| On the label | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Crude Protein | The growth driver. ~34–38% for maintenance; 40–45% for active growth. |
| Crude Fat | Energy. Roughly 5–10% is typical; higher for growth foods. |
| Crude Fiber | Largely indigestible bulk — keep it low (usually under ~5%). |
| Ash | Mineral residue after digestion. Lower is cleaner and more digestible. |
The pairing that matters most is high protein with low ash — for example, a 45%-protein food with ash as low as ~8.5%.
Part 2: The ingredient list
Ingredients are listed by weight, heaviest first. Look for:
- Quality protein up top — white fish meal, fish meal, krill meal, squid or shrimp meal.
- Grains in a supporting role — wheat, wheat germ and corn for energy and binding; fine mid-list, a red flag if they dominate the top.
Part 3: Functional extras
- Astaxanthin, spirulina, paprika — build red color.
- Probiotics — aid digestion and reduce ammonia.
- Stabilized vitamin C — immunity, protects whites.
- Wheat germ — cool-water digestibility.
In plain terms: “45% protein, 8.5% ash, fish meal and krill first, with astaxanthin and probiotics” describes a digestible, color-supporting growth food that keeps water clean.
Every koi food at Mystic Koi lists protein, fat, fiber and ash up front. Shop koi food, then see how it plays out for color and growth.
