With Koi Fuel, I’m trying to accomplish several things at the same time. I want to make a high-quality koi feed. I want that feed to be grain free. And I want it to remain reasonably priced so hobbyists can actually afford to feed it regularly. Those goals sound simple on the surface, but combining them into a single product required some deliberate decisions about how the feed is produced.
Why I Chose a Local Farm Feed Mill
One of the biggest decisions was choosing the type of mill that produces the feed. Instead of using a boutique mill that focuses on small specialty batches, I chose to work with a local farm feed mill. These mills operate at high speed and are designed to produce feed for farmers and deer hunters. They are built for efficiency and volume. The advantage is production cost — manufacturing through this type of system can reduce production expenses by roughly 25 to 50 percent compared to specialty mills. That reduction allows me to meet one of my primary goals: producing a high-quality feed that remains affordable.
The Trade-Off: Appearance
There is a downside to this type of production. Because these mills are focused on efficiency rather than cosmetic perfection, the pellets may not always look identical. You may occasionally see slightly misshapen pellets in a bag, and color can vary slightly from batch to batch. This is a normal result of the equipment being used. But appearance is the least important factor in fish nutrition. What the feed looks like does not determine its quality — what matters is what is inside the pellet and how well the fish can digest it.
Why I Eliminated Grain
One of the core goals of Koi Fuel is eliminating grain from the formula. Many feeds rely heavily on wheat and other grains as inexpensive binders. While they help create smooth pellets, grains are not always ideal for fish digestion. When certain fish struggle to digest grains efficiently, it can lead to increased waste production. More waste means more dissolved organics, more strain on filtration, and ultimately a dirtier pond environment. Instead of grain, Koi Fuel uses potato starch as the primary binder.
Why Potato Starch Matters
Potato starch provides the structural binding needed to produce a pellet while avoiding grain-based fillers. It also digests cleanly, which helps reduce the amount of waste fish release back into the water. The result is a feed designed to support fish health while also helping maintain better water quality. Cleaner digestion means less unnecessary load placed on the filtration system.
Quality Over Cosmetic Perfection
Because of the production method, some pellets may not look perfectly shaped or uniform. But the goal of Koi Fuel has never been to produce the prettiest pellet on the market. The goal is to produce the highest quality feed possible while keeping the price within reach for hobbyists. When you remove grain, focus on digestibility, and control production costs, you create a feed that prioritizes fish health rather than shelf appearance.
Supporting Local Production
Another advantage of this approach is that it supports a local agricultural business. Working with a local mill keeps production close to home and allows greater involvement in the process. For me, that is another part of the win.
Final Thoughts
Some people may prefer feeds that are perfectly shaped and identical from pellet to pellet. That is understandable. But focusing on cosmetic perfection often drives up cost without improving what actually matters to the fish. Koi Fuel is designed around different priorities: grain-free ingredients, clean digestion, reasonable pricing, and practical production. If a pellet occasionally looks a little imperfect but delivers better nutrition at a better price, that is a trade-off I am willing to make.
Try the feed built on these principles. Shop Koi Fuel, and read why we use potato starch instead of grain.
Written by Jason Michael, a 30-year aquaculture professional and founder of Krazy Koi Meds, with decades of hands-on experience treating koi and ornamental fish.
