About Koi Fish

Koi fish are part of the carp species, Cyprinus carpio. They originate in parts of Eastern Asia and China, and not in Japan as it is popularly believed. They are very similar to goldfish and are bred similarly to them. They are grown mostly for decorative purposes and first gained popular with Japanese rice farmers. They are now very popular all over the world.

History

Koi fish first came about approximately 2,500 years ago, in their black form. They were then known as Magoi, meaning "black koi." They were well known for their nutritious benefits and were kept in rice paddies for food purposes during the wintertime. They were often maintained in ponds to make them easier to farm. They were also commonly used for ornamental reasons. About 700 years after that, colorful variations of the koi fish emerged.

Identification

Koi fish come in many different colors, scales and patterns. They are most commonly black, blue, white, yellow, red and cream. They also come in combinations of these colors. Many kois also have very intricate and detailed scale patterns. Nowadays, many hybrid varieties of koi fish are also being developed as well.

Theories/Speculation

In taking care of koi fish, it is important to know that they are omnivores. They feed on lettuce, peas and algae amongst other things. During the wintertime, they consume very little food. In times of low temperatures, they should be fed minimal protein because it could potentially give them digestive issues. If bred and taken care of properly, koi fish can live to be up to forty years old.

Function

Koi fish breed using the spawning method. The female koi fish will lay a vast amount of eggs which will then be fertilized by one ore more male koi fish. The resulting fry could come up in many interesting and surprising color combinations, no matter how carefully the parent fish are chosen.

Types

There are three popular levels of koi fish. Pond grade koi fish are inexpensive and bred by water gardeners. Ornamental grade koi fish are cheap as well and come in attractive, decorative colors and patterns. Show grade koi fish are pricey and come in vibrant, shiny, bright colors and patterns and are usually used for showcasing.

Resources

• Koi Carp and Fish Ponds Information
• Japanese Koi Fish Guide