Koi Carp: History, Information and Diet
The Japanese koi carp is without a doubt the king of pond fish. Because the noble cultivation form of the carp reaches a length of up to one meter and shines in beautiful colors in good keeping conditions.
In Japan the koi carp is called Nishikigoi. Koi carp are bred in over 100 different variations. Since they are quite sensitive, keeping koi often proves to be extremely demanding and time-consuming.
History of the koi carp
Little is known about the exact origin of the koi carp today. However, it is believed that the Nishikigoi is derived from carp brought to Asia from Iran more than 2,000 years ago.
There the ancestors of the koi carp were initially kept as edible fish and insectivores. Around 150 years ago, Japanese nobles finally discovered the koi carp as a status symbol and therefore began to keep the dazzling ornamental fish.
In the meantime, the koi carp has also become a popular pond fish with us. The most important breeding country is still Japan. In addition, koi carp are also bred in other countries, such as Singapore, South Africa and Israel.
Direct imports from Japan are of course particularly expensive. In comparison, Koi carp from German breeding are comparatively inexpensive to buy and should therefore also make up the majority of the Nishikigoi living in local garden ponds.
Apart from that, koi carp whose scale dress is similar to that of mirror or zeil carp are now also being bred in Europe. These Koi carp are called Doitsugoi, or Doitsu, which can be translated as German carp.
Appearance of the koi carp
Koi carp have a voluminous body and can reach a size between 80 and 100 centimeters. However, its most characteristic feature is without a doubt its dazzling scale dress, which makes it a star in every garden pond.
The scales of the Koi carp can shine in very different colors. For example, there are cream-colored, white, blue, red, yellow and black koi carp and both single-color and multi-color animals.
Breeding forms of koi carp
The breeding of koi carp has a long tradition, which has produced a variety of different forms of Nishikigoi. In total there are now at least 16 different main variants and well over 100 different subforms of the koi carp.
Through the efforts of the breeders, the number of variants continues to increase, so that new breeds of Koi carp are always being added.
Popular forms of koi carp include the following types:
- The kōhaku is a white koi carp with red spots.
- The Showa is a tri-color koi carp in red, white and black.
- The Utsurimono is a black koi carp that has either white, yellow or red spots.
- The Bekko is a koi carp with black spots, the basic color of which can be either red, white or yellow.
- The Koromo is a white koi carp with red spots, each with a black mark.
- The tancho is an almost completely white koi carp with a striking red spot on its forehead.
- The Sanke is a white koi carp with black and red spots.
- The Ogon is an attractive koi carp, which is very popular due to its shiny metallic scales.
- The Asagi is a tri-color koi carp with a white head, red cheeks and fins and a blue back.
- The Kinginrin Koi carp has golden or silver scales that either partially or completely cover its body.
Koi carp lifestyle
Koi carp feed on worms, insects and plants, whereby their metabolism and thus their food intake is heavily dependent on the prevailing temperatures. If the water temperature falls below 10 degrees, the metabolism slows down significantly and the koi carp keep hibernation on the bottom of their water basin.
Female koi carp lay between 400,000 and 500,000 eggs. It takes about four days to hatch these juveniles.
How old do koi carp get?
How old Koi carp get can not be said in general. Because the life expectancy of the noble pond fish is influenced to a large extent by their housing conditions. Provided that the animals are kept appropriately and properly cared for, koi carp can reach an age between 40 and 60 years.
Occasionally, individual koi carps can live well over 100 years. In reality, however, the life expectancy of many Nishikigoi is far lower. Because poor husbandry conditions often lead to koi carp only turning 10 years old.
How much do koi carp cost?
The prices of koi carp depend on various factors and can therefore vary greatly. Fish bred in Germany are generally much cheaper than Nishikigoi imported from Japan.
In addition to the origin, the skin, the color as well as the size and body are decisive for the price of koi carp. While very small juvenile fish are already available for around 10 euros, larger koi carp quickly cost four to five-digit sums.
In Japan in particular, collectors sometimes pay more than 250,000 euros for top breeds. The most expensive koi carp even changed hands for around 1.5 million euros.
Even if these prices are of course not the rule, the numbers quickly make it clear that koi carp are very special pond fish that should be treated with the appropriate care.
Posture of the koi carp
Koi carp are quite sensitive, which is why keeping them involves an effort that should not be underestimated. In this context, the water quality, the temperature and the size of the pond are particularly important.
Koi carp need a lot of space
Basically, koi carp should be kept in groups with at least five animals, with a volume of at least 1,000 liters for each specimen. In smaller pools there is a greatly increased risk of parasite infestation.
In addition, the water depth should be at least 1.5 meters, so that the koi carp can easily hibernate on the bottom of the pool.
High water quality is essential for koi carp
Koi carp need as clean and aseptic water as possible. A powerful filter system is therefore indispensable for keeping Nishikigoi. It is also advisable to keep an eye on the oxygen content as well as the nitrite, pH and ammonium values.
In this way, problems with the water quality that can harm the health of the koi carp can be promptly identified and resolved.
Koi carp feel good at these temperatures
In addition to quality, the temperature of the water is important when keeping koi carp. Ideally, this should be between 15 and 20 degrees on average. In summer the water temperature in the Koi carp pond should not exceed 26 degrees and in winter it should not drop below four degrees.
Common koi carp Siseases
The sensitive koi carp can suffer from a variety of health problems. In addition to parasites such as worms and carp lice, this also includes koi herpes. It is an infectious disease caused by herpes viruses.
Koi carp infection is usually fatal to affected koi carp. Treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics is not recommended as the koi carp may develop resistance.
Due to the high risk of infection, diseased fish should be transferred to a quarantine tank immediately. It should also be noted that koi herpes is considered a notifiable animal disease in Germany.
Other diseases that can occur again and again in koi carp are fin rot and inflammation of the swimming bladder.
Proper Koi carp nutrition
Just like other carp species, the koi carp is an omnivore that eats both animal and plant food. Since Nishikigoi do not feel full, it is important to adjust their amount of feed very precisely to their actual needs.
The following factors must be taken into account when calculating feed requirements:
- The weight of the koi carp (the heavier the fish are, the more food they need.)
- The age of the koi carp (young fish have a higher energy requirement due to their growth.)
- The water temperature (the colder it gets, the less food Koi carp need.)
That being said, the daily amount of feed should be divided into several meals. This relieves the sensitive digestion of the koi carp and reduces the risk of digestive problems.
Premium food for Koi carp by KI-JA-KO
High-quality koi food makes a decisive contribution to the health and well-being of the sensitive koi carp. It also ensures that the colors of the Nishikigoi come into their own and the noble fish shine in their full glory.
In the KI-JA-KO range, discerning owners will find everything they need to properly feed their koi carp. Because the premium quality koi food offers a suitable solution for all seasons and koi carp of all ages.
Among other things, the following KI-JA-KO products are available for feeding your koi carp:
- Wheatgerm as an easily digestible food in cool and changeable temperatures in autumn or spring
- Baby for optimal and healthy growth of your young Koi carp
- Color as a well-tolerated growth food for effective color enhancement
- Stack for year-round feeding of your koi carp from a water temperature of 10 degrees
- Health as a digestible koi food to support the immune system of your koi carp
- Buy premium food for koi carp at The Zoo Expert
Of course, you can rely on high quality for all KI-JA-KO products. The food is very easy to digest for your koi carp and does not unnecessarily pollute the water in the pond.
The best thing to do is to order your KI-JA-KO koi feed directly from our shop and ensure that your koi carp live a long and healthy life with a species-appropriate diet.
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