Cyprinus carpio carpio

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Koi
Koi
Species	Cyprinus carpio carpio
Difficulty	Easy
Min. Tank Size	1,892.706 liters 1,892,705.89 mL 500 US Gallons (1892.7L)
Size	51.181 in 100-130 cm (39.4-51.2")
pH	6 - 8
Temp.	273.15 K 32 °F 491.67 °R 298.15 K 77 °F 536.67 °R0 -25 °C (32-77°F)
Stocking Ratio	1:2 M:F
Availability	Common
Diet	Omnivore Pellet Foods Flake Foods Live Foods
Life Span	10-20 years

[edit] Alternative names

Koi, Koi Carp, Carp, Brocaded Carp, Nishikigoi, Common Carp

[edit] History

Koi were first mentioned as being domesticated in China around the 4th century and were laster brought over to Japan. They were originally grown in rice fields for additional protein in the winter months. Farmers began to notice that some carp had color variations and separated out those carp from the others. Koi breeding became popular in the Niigata Prefecture of Japan during the Edo Period in Japan. The Niigata Prefecture is still the epicenter of koi breeding in Japan.

[edit] Distribution

Carp, the name given to undomesticated, uncolored carp, were believed to have originated in Asia. A variant of the Asian carp is seen in Europe. Carp were introduced to the Americas as a gamefish but have now become a nuisance because when they feed, they root around in the mud, dirtying up lakes and rivers. Because of this classification as a nuisance, it is illegal to own koi in certain areas of the world.

[edit] Sexing

Males more slim. Females tend to exhibit a rounder shape.

[edit] Diet

Koi are notorious for eating everything. High quality floating pellets are favored by hobbyists. Koi are naturally benthic and feeding them floating pellets brings them to the surface for you to enjoy their many colors.

[edit] Feeding regime

Can be feed up to three times daily in the summer and late spring to increase growth. Reduce feeding to once or twice daily in the fall. Stop feeding when water temperature drops below 55 degrees Celsius; the koi will eat algae from the bottom until the weather warms up again.

[edit] Compatibility

Can live with other large peaceful fish. Is not a shoaling species, but should be kept with at least 3 of its own species. Should not be kept with fish small enough to fit in its mouth because it will accidentally eat them.

[edit] Environment Specifics

A Japanese garden with koi

Koi are very messy fish and produce copious amounts of waste. They should be kept in a large area with plenty of swimming room. Koi get their exercise by swimming vertically in the water column and should be provided with at least 2 feet of water in which to swim. Depending on the predators in your area, you may need to make your pond deeper to allow the koi places to hide.

[edit] Behaviour

Koi are very peaceful fish. They will mouth at a hand for food, but do not have teeth so they will not harm you. They can be skittish in clear waters, but this behaviour should abate as they become more comfortable in their environment.

Koi are a very trainable fish. They will begin to recognize the person who feeds them and come to the surface to beg for food whenever they see that person. With practice, they can be taught to eat from your hand.

[edit] Identification

When young, koi can appear very similar to common goldfish. They can be distinguished by the set of barbels that are on either side of the mouth. They are also more full-bodied than goldfish and grow much larger than goldfish.

[edit] Varieties

Koi come in a wide arrange of colors, scale patterns, and finnage. Scale patterns can be the traditional fully scaled body and the European variety known as doitsu-goi. Doistu-goi only have scales on the top and bottom parts of their body. The two types of finnage are traditional length and a longer version sometimes called dragon or butterfly carp.

The Major varieties of koi

The most common color patterns are listed below.

• Kohaku - white with red patterns
• Sanke - white with red and black patterns
• Showa - black with red and white patterns
• Tancho - white body with a red spot on the head
• Asagi - light blue scales on the top and red scales on the bottom
• Bekko - white (Shiro bekko), red (Aka bekko), or yellow (Ki bekko) with a black pattern
• Utsurimono - black with a red, white, or yellow pattern
• Goshiki - mostly black with red, white, brown, and blue accents
• Ogon - one solid color, can be regular or metallic; colors - red, orange, platinum, yellow and cream
• Kinginrin - Koi with shiny scales. There are Gin Rin versions of almost every other type of koi.
• Kawarimono (kawarigoi) - all other colors

[edit] Image Gallery

Two kohaku	Japanese garden with koi	Upon seeing people, most koi will beg for food	Platinum Ogon butterfly (dragon) koi
Koi just under the surface of the water	Koi in a feeding frenzy	A close-up of a koi head; the barbels are clearly visible on each side of the mouth	Natural colored koi
European scale pattern sometimes called Mirror carp

[edit] Videos

[edit] External links

• Fishbase
• Champion Nishikigoi
• Pan Intercorp - Koi Encyclopedia
• The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech
• Koi Profile & Auctions
• Koi Profile & Video
• Fishing.co.uk - Wild Type Carp