ah, yes, orandas have to go in for winter. They are way too delicate for a winter pond. Funny to see the tail like that...totally looks the same as a watonai tail. So interesting!
As far as fattening foods, you need to do a combination of healthy things, not just all protein. I've never tried yams on my fish...I've tried carrots and they don't like 'em for some reason. But most koi will try anything. I have a neighbor who even feeds them bits of chicken and such. Go figure! But you've got to fatten him up just a bit more. You don't need to go wild, but just try to balance his body with his head size in the next 30 days. I'd say, that's probably all the time you've got before he starts going into a hunkering down stage. It's always hard to add fish to a herd this time of year--particularly tosai (yearlings) such as yours.
I've got a fall harvest coming in late September at a local mud pond breeder here where I live, and I'm going to go and see what he has. I know it's not the best time to add to my fish family, but I want to see what happens. His prices are fantastic during the fall harvest, so I'll try one or two to see. But normally I try to avoid adding new fish this time of year.
Even if you could get a better girth on that fishy in the next 30 days, you'll be helping him out for the winter rest.
