Koi

Common Name: Koi
Scientific Name: Cyprinus carpio
Origin: Japan
Relative Size: Much Larger Than Average (as compared to other freshwater fish)
Average Lifespan: 60 year(s)
Compatibility: Relatively Non-Aggressive (as compared to other freshwater fish)
Category: Fish » Freshwater Fish

The word "koi" comes from the Japanese simply meaning "carp." It includes both the dull grey fish and the brightly colored varieties. A homophone of koi means 'love, affection' and koi are therefore symbols of love and friendship in Japan: a good example is the short story Koi-san by Mukoda Kuniko.Koi have many different colors. Some of the major colors are white, black, red, yellow, blue, and cream.While possible variations are limitless, breeders have identified and named a number of specific categories. The most popular category is Gosanke. The Gosanke category is made up of the Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku, and Showa Sanshoku varieties. The Japanese breeders have many generations of knowledge and experience when it comes to breeding and raising Nishikigoi. They know which ones will be worth hundreds of dollars and which ones will be worth thousands of dollars.Koi are called 'living jewels' thanks to their fantastic colour schemes.Koi are directly related to carp - they are the same species. Koi are selectively bred carp from a natural anomaly first discovered and developed in Japan, from where all things Koi emanate. The Japanese are the best breeders of Koi in the world by a substantial margin.Koi are also known as water pigs, pigs of the dam, pigs of the river etc. This is because being carp, they typically eat anything. And they like to eat a lot of it. A Koi can consume up to 2% of it's body weight a day, which for a fish is impressive.egetable filters (plants in a Koi pond) are a great idea. They help reduce nitrate levels. Reduced nitrates lead to reduced algae growth since nitrates are a plant food. This is a positive contribution to a Koi pond.Koi are not warm water fish. However they are more active and grow faster in warm water.Water temperatures below 10C are not dangerous but a Koi's immune system shuts itself down progressively as the temperature drops. They also eat less and virtually stop below 10C. This can be dangerous for them when the water warms up as their immune systems start up more slowly than the bugs it is protecting the Koi against. This is why spring is a dangerous time for Koi.Koi grow fast. They typically reach 50% of their final adult length at age of 2 years.Koi are cute and cuddly. They can be trained to hand feed.Koi enjoy variety in their diet. Try peeled oranges, lettuce, brown bread and earth worms. There is no substitute for live food in terms of quality. But a big Koi can eat you out of house and home if you insist on feeding it live food all the time.Koi, as with all fish are integrally linked with their watery environment. They are a direct reflection of that quality and your skill in maintaining it.