An Introduction to Koi fish
Koi fish are beautiful ornamental fish with colorful skin and unique patterns. These fish are also known as Japanese fancy carp. The proper Japanese name for koi is Nishikigoi which means 'brocaded' carp and they were bred for the first time more than 200 years ago.
It is thought that koi fish might have originated in Persia but the Japanese are largely responsible for increasing the fish's popularity. Contrary to popular belief these fish are not big goldfish. They are, in fact, distant cousins to the ordinary goldfish.
The Japanese first began giving Koi fish as gifts to friends and soon it became a popular tradition around the world. Koi are now found everywhere, dazzling people with their unique appearance.
Sometimes referred to as swimming flowers or living jewels, Koi fish are found in a variety of sizes and colors and are a common feature in lavishly landscaped garden ponds. The ponds are specially designed to make sure that there is proper oxygenation and filtration of the water to keep the fish healthy.
Koi fish come in so many different colors and patterns that once you begin keeping them, you'll want to stock your pond with as many different kinds as possible. This is no easy task since there are hundreds, even thousands of different Koi.
Most koi fish grow to about 24 to 36 inches but the size of the pond they are kept in, the amount of available oxygen and their diet does influence how big they grow. In ideal conditions young koi can grow two to four inches per year. They reach 50% of their adult length at 24 months and 99% at around 14 years.
Koi fish need about 2 inches of water to keep them swimming, but bigger ponds are better. These fish generally live for 25 to 35 years; there have even been cases where they have lived over two hundred years! They need daily feeding but in a pinch they can go without food for more than ten days.
What do koi fish eat? They can be fed practically anything but are usually fed dried or fresh shrimp, cooked rice or cooked oats. It may be a good idea to feed them with special koi pellets.
Water quality is very important for the health of koi fish. Filters need to be kept clean and the water should be well oxygenated. City water may be dangerous to these fish as it may contain chlorine or chloramines and insecticides pose another threat to their well-being. You may need to invest in a special product to remove the chloramines from your water.
Your air pump needs to be kept well maintained and an emergency pump should be kept on hand in case of emergencies. If your pump does stop, refrain from feeding your koi fish until it is repaired.
Koi fish get along well with goldfish and tropical fish alike and make interesting pets. Breeding koi is a very rewarding hobby. Once you start keeping Koi, it's easy to become addicted, adding new fish and attempting to breed for example. Sooner or later you're going to want a larger pond, more fish, a more aesthetic pond and to learn all about their behavior and food preferences.
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