Everything You Have To Know About Koi Fish
Koi are extremely popular fish bred and taken care of by hobbyists around the world. Koi is a Japanese word which means "carp" and covers the dull gray wild carp caught in rivers and lakes for food, as well as the brightly colored varieties. It is the colorful koi fish which are bred for their magnificence. Although the proper expression for these "living jewels" is nishikigoi, most people, particularly those in the United States, call them simply as koi.
A Very Koi Story
The carp originated from Central Europe and Asia where it was basically a food fish. It was the Chinese that began propagating specific species of carp until they developed the gold fish over a thousand years ago. The Chinese first brought koi as food to Japan in 200 AD. Looking at the gorgeous color mutations, Japanese farmers in Niigata, a prefecture in Honshu, bred them for aesthetic purposes and produced a number of color patterns. The first variety to be popular is the kohaku, the red-and-white koi.
The Niigata koi was first exposed to the community in 1914 in the course of the annual exposition in Tokyo. The beautiful, colorful fish charmed the whole of Japan and many kept koi because they seemed perfect for their water gardens. It didn't take long before the entire world caught up on the hobby. Nowadays, Niigata continues to be the home of the best koi breeders though you can buy koi from most pet stores. However, you have to go to specialist dealers if you want the higher-quality fish. Prices of koi differ based on the very koi-like feature of the fish.
Koi Attributes
You can find koi with various colors and designs. The usual colors are white, black, red, yellow, blue and cream. Female koi are generally plump while the males are more streamlined with torpedo shapes. A fully-grown koi can grow as much as 36 inches and weigh over 17 pounds. The koi are hardy and tough, and can live for many years based on their genetics and living conditions. The oldest koi ever documented was "Hanako" that reportedly lived up to 226 years.
The Koi are omnivores which means they eat almost almost everything including vegetables. It is very koi of the fish to look for food at the bottom of the pond. Although koi fish are really shy and will run away when disturbed, they often recognize the person regularly feeding your koi fish. It is common to see koi gathering around their keeper during feeding times with several eating straight from the hand.
Varieties of Koi
There are several kinds of koi that are recognized by the color, pattern and also scales. There are a few hybrids like the Ghost koi and Butterfly koi that have also gained popularity but are not considered as true Nishikigoi. Among the prominent kinds of the true Nishikigoi include the following:
- Kohaku - white koi with big red marks on top
- Taisho Sanshoku - resembles the Kohaku but has more small black markings
- Showa Sanshoku - black koi with red and white markings
- Tancho - any koi with a lone red patch on top of its head
- Asagi - is coloured light blue on top and red beneath
- Utsurimono - black with very koi marks of red, white or yellow
- Bekko - base colour of red, white or even yellow with small black markings
- Goshiki - black koi accented with red, white, brown and blue marks
- Shusui - does not have scales other than a single row of big mirror scales running down the dorsal area, from head to tail
Why Adding A Koi Filter System Is Significant
Not only does having a koi filter system installed help make your koi pond more attractive, it also does a lot to keep your koi fish healthy. Koi fish are highly sensitive to the pH balance and density of the water they're in compared to other types of fish.
Koi Supplies: Crucial To Having Energetic Koi
If you want your koi fish to be healthy and vibrant-looking, you will need to make sure you have plenty of quality koi supplies. So what koi supplies are essential?
Salt Water Aquariums - Extra Accessories
When buying salt water aquariums you will need a couple of other objects in order to use your new fish tank. The first item you will need is an aquarium stand.
Tropical Fish Guide - Prevent Mistakes
A tropical fish guide will help you to avoid the mistakes most new fish owners will make when looking after these beautiful creatures.
Salt Water Aquarium - Some Critical Points To Remember Before Purchasing One
A salt water aquarium is not a toy and shouldn't be wrapped up as such. By buying a fish tank you are taking responsibility for the care of these beautiful creatures and this is not something you should enter into lightly.
What You Need To Know About Custom Fish Tanks
Custom fish tanks make a unique decorative feature for your home. But there is a lot more to looking after a custom aquarium than the fact that it looks pretty.
How Preserving Fish Tanks In The House Has Changed Over The Centuries
When you buy your first custom fish tank you may be interested to know that centuries ago families kept these in their homes as a source of fresh fish.
Ways To Setup Your Salt Water Tank Properly: Some Important Factors
If you are looking to recreate the magic of the sea, then salt water fish tanks are a great idea for your home. You will need sufficient space and the right location to house the tank.
Tropical Fish Guides Should Really Help You Refrain From Simple Blunders
Tropical fish guides can help you avoid the most common mistakes people make when they first start owning fish. Setting up your aquarium correctly will take time and money so you should always read first before heading out to buy anything.
A Very Koi Story
The carp originated from Central Europe and Asia where it was basically a food fish. It was the Chinese that began propagating specific species of carp until they developed the gold fish over a thousand years ago. The Chinese first brought koi as food to Japan in 200 AD. Looking at the gorgeous color mutations, Japanese farmers in Niigata, a prefecture in Honshu, bred them for aesthetic purposes and produced a number of color patterns. The first variety to be popular is the kohaku, the red-and-white koi.
The Niigata koi was first exposed to the community in 1914 in the course of the annual exposition in Tokyo. The beautiful, colorful fish charmed the whole of Japan and many kept koi because they seemed perfect for their water gardens. It didn't take long before the entire world caught up on the hobby. Nowadays, Niigata continues to be the home of the best koi breeders though you can buy koi from most pet stores. However, you have to go to specialist dealers if you want the higher-quality fish. Prices of koi differ based on the very koi-like feature of the fish.
Koi Attributes
You can find koi with various colors and designs. The usual colors are white, black, red, yellow, blue and cream. Female koi are generally plump while the males are more streamlined with torpedo shapes. A fully-grown koi can grow as much as 36 inches and weigh over 17 pounds. The koi are hardy and tough, and can live for many years based on their genetics and living conditions. The oldest koi ever documented was "Hanako" that reportedly lived up to 226 years.
The Koi are omnivores which means they eat almost almost everything including vegetables. It is very koi of the fish to look for food at the bottom of the pond. Although koi fish are really shy and will run away when disturbed, they often recognize the person regularly feeding your koi fish. It is common to see koi gathering around their keeper during feeding times with several eating straight from the hand.
Varieties of Koi
There are several kinds of koi that are recognized by the color, pattern and also scales. There are a few hybrids like the Ghost koi and Butterfly koi that have also gained popularity but are not considered as true Nishikigoi. Among the prominent kinds of the true Nishikigoi include the following:
- Kohaku - white koi with big red marks on top
- Taisho Sanshoku - resembles the Kohaku but has more small black markings
- Showa Sanshoku - black koi with red and white markings
- Tancho - any koi with a lone red patch on top of its head
- Asagi - is coloured light blue on top and red beneath
- Utsurimono - black with very koi marks of red, white or yellow
- Bekko - base colour of red, white or even yellow with small black markings
- Goshiki - black koi accented with red, white, brown and blue marks
- Shusui - does not have scales other than a single row of big mirror scales running down the dorsal area, from head to tail
Why Adding A Koi Filter System Is Significant
Not only does having a koi filter system installed help make your koi pond more attractive, it also does a lot to keep your koi fish healthy. Koi fish are highly sensitive to the pH balance and density of the water they're in compared to other types of fish.
Koi Supplies: Crucial To Having Energetic Koi
If you want your koi fish to be healthy and vibrant-looking, you will need to make sure you have plenty of quality koi supplies. So what koi supplies are essential?
Salt Water Aquariums - Extra Accessories
When buying salt water aquariums you will need a couple of other objects in order to use your new fish tank. The first item you will need is an aquarium stand.
Tropical Fish Guide - Prevent Mistakes
A tropical fish guide will help you to avoid the mistakes most new fish owners will make when looking after these beautiful creatures.
Salt Water Aquarium - Some Critical Points To Remember Before Purchasing One
A salt water aquarium is not a toy and shouldn't be wrapped up as such. By buying a fish tank you are taking responsibility for the care of these beautiful creatures and this is not something you should enter into lightly.
What You Need To Know About Custom Fish Tanks
Custom fish tanks make a unique decorative feature for your home. But there is a lot more to looking after a custom aquarium than the fact that it looks pretty.
How Preserving Fish Tanks In The House Has Changed Over The Centuries
When you buy your first custom fish tank you may be interested to know that centuries ago families kept these in their homes as a source of fresh fish.
Ways To Setup Your Salt Water Tank Properly: Some Important Factors
If you are looking to recreate the magic of the sea, then salt water fish tanks are a great idea for your home. You will need sufficient space and the right location to house the tank.
Tropical Fish Guides Should Really Help You Refrain From Simple Blunders
Tropical fish guides can help you avoid the most common mistakes people make when they first start owning fish. Setting up your aquarium correctly will take time and money so you should always read first before heading out to buy anything.
Other Readings
- Salt Water Aquariums - Extra Accessories
- The Best Way To Feed Koi Fish
- Tropical Fish Guide - Prevent Mistakes
- Salt Water Aquarium - Some Critical Points To Remember Before Purchasing One
- What All You Need To Properly Develop Your Aquarium
- The Black Koi Fish
- The Kinds Of Koi Fish
- What Makes Koi Very Elegant?
- Why Installing A Koi Filter System Is Needed
- Building Your Koi Pond Water Garden
- Koi Breeding: Learn More About It
- All You Need To Know When Looking After Your Koi Fish
- Building A Koi Garden
- All You Need To Know Regarding The Black Koi Fish
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