What Are Koi?

Originating from Japan known as the Nishikigoi in Japanese, this colorful Koi fish is a special variety of Carp. As carp is available in all the cool waters of the world hence is the reason why its often caught for food and sport worldwide. The Nishikigoi which means “brocaded carp” refers to the colorful pattern on the fish whereas in English its also known as “Koi”. “Koi’s” are also known to be symbol of friendship and love. After an exposition in 1914 and the demand for decorative pets especially with the rapid shipping of shipment this valuable fish came viable for people across the world.

Though originating from Japan koi or Carp is also found in Central Europe and Asia. Various carp species found in East Asia are used as food. Its ability to adapt to new environment is the reason for its spread worldwide. More than thousands of years ago in China the selective breeding of Prussian carp led to the birth of the goldfish. It was not till 1914 that people realized the development of Koi colors. Hence it was in the 19th century that Japanese began breeding these carp fishes and selecting the brightly colored specimens to decorate the luxurious fish ponds. Koi is one fish of its kind as it can be found in various colors, sizes and shapes. Known to grow up to three feet (91 centimeter) the Koi fish is a distant relative of the goldfish. In Japan Koi’s have different names as per their patterns. These include the Tancho, a white Koi with a red dot on its head. Showa, a black koi with white and red spots and the ogon, a solid colored Koi which can be flat or metallic. And the most popular one is the Kohako, a white skinned Koi with red upper pattern. At fish dealers around the world you can find many other names of different types of Koi fishes. Its hard to name all as the constant cross breeding of these carp fishes is bringing more types of the koi fish to the world.

As the Koi is a cool water fish, they don’t like the heat, hence they like to sink to the bottom and stay in deep ponds. Such is the talent of the koi fish that they can be taught to recognize their owner and come up to take the food at their feeding times. In order to check whether the pet Koi fish is fine they are given a special floating koi food that encourages the fish to float up so their owner can check their health. As Koi is fond of eating plants Foliage is the best selection. Also many people feel having a koi pond gives them an Asian decor. Yes in order to not get seen by its predators or not get too heated its preferred to make shades around the pond. In fact some Koi fishes sell for thousands of dollars.

Most Japanese decorate their homes and gardens by making a koi pond surrounded with lush Foliage and benches so they can sit and lighten up. As the Koi fish get well off in other environments Koi fish can be found in other locations. Over the centuries the selective breeding of koi fish has resulted in various sizes and shapes of koi with patterns in white, black, gold, red and orange. In comparison to the pet Koi, the wild Koi is not a good looking fish and is often in dark greens and browns. Looking Odd as it sounds some view the fish as invaluable yet some see it as a sport and some see it as a good consuming food.

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