Pond Foragers Open Response

Koi are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal matter, and this passage gives students a closer look at their varied diet. Readers learn that koi may feed on algae, insects, worms, small crustaceans, plant material, and food pellets provided by people. The passage also explains how koi use their mouths and sensitive barbels to search for food along the bottom of ponds and how their feeding habits can change depending on what is available. Students see that a koi’s diet is closely connected to both its environment and its health.

This worksheet helps students practice identifying supporting details and connecting diet with adaptation and survival. They build vocabulary related to omnivores, crustaceans, barbels, nutrition, and foraging while comparing natural foods with foods given in captivity. The passage also strengthens cause-and-effect thinking by showing how a balanced diet helps koi remain healthy and active. It’s a useful reading for helping students understand that feeding behavior is one important part of how an animal fits into its habitat.