Over the past few years we have had many calls from people who are trying to get their fish to be more tame. We have found that various varieties of koi have different demeanors, just like people. Some people are friendly, inquisitive and like to be social while other people are bit more reserved and would rather be by themselves.

One of the most rewarding experiences in koi keeping is having your prized fish great you every morning or night eagerly waiting at the pondside for handful of food. In some situations that fish naturally associate your footsteps with the addition of food to the pond and learn very quickly to adapt in order to get the biggest mouthful. In other situations it seems as though the fish never quite get used to the footsteps and always wait until the activity around the pond edge ceases before they come up to get a bite to eat.

One of the most tried and true methods of calling your fish and teaching them to respond positively to your presence is to add a fish variety that's is by nature very very friendly. We have found at the most friendly fish that will eat out of your hand after just a short while come from the Chagoi, Soragoi, and Ochiba Shigure varieties. These fish can be related to the Labrador retriever's of the dog world. Always happy to see you and very friendly and inquisitive. These fish can grow very large and typically are stronger healthwise than other varieties. By adding one to two of these fish to your collection, they can quickly teach the other fish that it is OK to greet you at the pondside in order to get a snack.

Here are some other tips to help your fish become more friendly:

1. Feed your fish two to three times a day using high quality food that the koi enjoy. Typically this is a 35-45% protein food rich in fish products.


2. Stand by your pond for two to five minutes prior to adding the food to the water. This allows the fish to associate your presence with the addition of food. If you were to walk up throw the food in the pond and walk away immediately, the fish will not have a chance to associate you with their next meal.


3. Offer the fish a very tasty treat. Whole freeze-dried krill are absolutely gobbled up by koi.


4. Add one or two of the above-mentioned fish to the population. This can literally change the attitude of your group of fish within a few days. Be sure the fish you add are of similar size to the fish in the pond. A six inch fish will not lead thirty inch fish up to eat very easily.

If you wish to get the fish to eat out of your hands, you should hold a snack such as krill on the edge of the water and as the koi approach watch their reaction. If the koi come directly to your hand to eat the krill there's not much training needed. If the koi decide to come within a foot and then back off, you should release the food and allow it to float into the pond. After a few days to a week of this training the koi should come closer to your hand each day until one day they decide that your hand is not a threat and that it holds the goodies that they're looking for.

Good luck and if anybody has any pictures of their favorite fish eating from their hands, sucking out of a bottle, or other crazy things, please send them to us we would love to see them!