| |
|
|
|
Listed Articles
|
Koi Fish: What You Should Know About Their History And The Various Types Of Koi
Koi are very popular fish bred and cared for by hobbyists the world over. Koi is a Japanese word which means "carp" and covers the dull gray wild carp caught in rivers and also lakes for food, as well as the brightly colored varieties. It is the vibrant koi fish that are bred for their beauty. Although the proper term for these "living jewels" is nishikigoi, many people, particularly those in the United States, call them simply as koi.
A Very Koi Story
The carp originated from Central Europe and also Asia where it was simply a food fish. It was the Chinese who started to propagate selected species of carp until they developed the gold fish more than a thousand years ago. The Chinese first introduced koi as food to Japan in 200 AD. Seeing the wonderful color mutations, Japanese farmers in Niigata, a prefecture in Honshu, bred them for aesthetic purposes and produced several color patterns. The first kind to be established is the kohaku, the red-and-white koi.
The Niigata koi was first seen by the public in 1914 during the annual exposition in Tokyo. The beautiful, colorful fish mesmerized the whole of Japan and some kept koi because they seemed great for their water gardens. It did not take long before the rest of the world caught up on the hobby. Today, Niigata remains to be the home of the best koi breeders though you can buy koi from most pet stores. Then again, you have to go to specialist dealers if you prefer the higher-quality fish. Prices of koi vary according to the very koi-like quality of the fish.
Koi Characteristics
You can find koi with various colors and designs. The usual colors are white, black, red, yellow, blue and cream. Female koi are usually plump while the males are more sleek with torpedo shapes. A matured koi can grow as long as 36 inches and weigh more than 17 pounds. The koi are hardy and durable, and can live for many years based on their genetics and living conditions. The oldest koi ever reported was "Hanako" that reportedly lived around 226 years.
The Koi are omnivores and eat almost anything including vegetables. It is very koi of the fish to forage at the bottom of the pond for food. Although koi fish are basically shy and will run away when disturbed, they often recognize the person frequently feeding your koi fish. It is common to see koi gathering close to their keeper during feeding times with some eating directly from the hand.
Varieties of Koi
There are several varieties of koi that are distinguished by the color, pattern and also scales. There are a few hybrids like the Ghost koi and Butterfly koi that have also acquired popularity but are not considered as true Nishikigoi. One of the prominent varieties of the true Nishikigoi are the following:
- Kohaku - white koi with large red markings on top
- Taisho Sanshoku - resembles the Kohaku but has more small black markings
- Showa Sanshoku - black koi having red and white markings
- Tancho - virtually any koi with a lone red patch on the head
- Asagi - is colored light blue on top and red below
- Utsurimono - black with very koi markings 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 also blue marks
- Shusui - doesn't have scales except for a single row of large mirror scales running along the dorsal area, from head to tail
Koi Health: Everything You Should Know
Koi health is of paramount importance if you want to enjoy your fish for a long time. Koi fish are known to live for decades although the average life span is 20 to 30 years. Koi are hardy and durable; however, they can get sick.
All You Have To Know When Caring For Your Koi Fish
Many pond owners around the world choose koi for pond fish. It's because koi are colorful and have interesting personalities. In addition, Koi fish tend to live long, from 25 to 35 years. It has even been reported that the koi fish's ancestral predecessors lived as long as 200 hundred years.
The Key Reason Why Fitting A Koi Filter System Is Vital
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.
Significant Information Concerning Nitrogen Levels Within Salt Water Aquariums
With salt water aquariums it is very important to keep the nitrogen levels down or else the fish will die. Fish are living creatures and like humans they will eat food and release waste.
Other Objects You Need For Your Salt Water Aquariums
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.
The Distinctive One Of A Kind Aspect Of Salt Water Sea Life For Your Brand New Tank
If you are interested in buying salt water fish tanks, it goes without saying that you are fascinated by fish.
How To Best Handle Your Fish In Your New Non-Natural Habitat
The confined space means that disease will spread rapidly through the aquarium if you don't take measures to prevent this happening. As your experience with fish grows, you will spot signs of illness early.
What To Think About When Purchasing Salt Water Sea Creatures For Your Brand New Aquarium
If you are interested in getting a saltwater fish tank, it means you probably want to have a load of lovely tropical fish in your home. But be warned they take more care than a freshwater equivalent.
Helpful Tips On Beautifying Your Very Own Customized Fish Tanks
When it comes to decorating your custom fish tanks always remember that the welfare of your fish should come first. It doesn't really matter if the color scheme inside the tank matches your sofa or other interior decoration.
How To Refrain From New Tank Disorder Related To Salt-Water Fish Tanks
If you are interested in salt water fish tanks you have probably heard of new tank syndrome. This is where people who buy a load of new fish find that they all die very quickly.
More Articles
More Resources
|
 |
Terms of Service
- Earnings Disclaimer -
Privacy Policy
|
Subscribe to our 
