Koi carp or brocade carp (eng. Koi, Japanese 鯉) are ornamental fish bred from the natural form of the Amur carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus). The birthplace of the fish is Japan, which today remains a leader in breeding and hybridization. This fish is not recommended for keeping in an aquarium. Koi carp are kept in ponds, as the fish are cold-water and large. And they don't feed you in winter. In addition, breeding it is not difficult, but getting high-quality fry is the opposite.
origin of name
The word koi and nishikigoi come from the Chinese 鯉 (common carp) and 錦鯉 (brocade carp) in Japanese. Moreover, in both languages these terms referred to different subspecies of carp, since in those days there was no modern classification.
What can I say, even today there is still no consistency in the classification. For example, Amur carp was recently a subspecies, but today it is already considered a separate species.
In Japanese, the word koi is a homophone (sounds the same but spelled differently) to the word love or affection.
Because of this, fish have become a popular symbol of love and friendship in Japan. On Boys' Day (May 5), the Japanese display koinobori, a decoration made from paper or fabric with a design of a koi carp on it.
This decoration symbolizes courage in overcoming obstacles and is a wish for success in life.
Natural habitats
Koi carp's natural habitats are limited to ponds. Despite this, special attention is paid to water quality. As a rule, these types of fish, unlike their ancestors, inhabit clean and well-aerated artificial reservoirs. Koi carp feel great at a depth of about 0.5 meters and practically do not go down to a depth of 1.5 meters.
Japanese Koi carp in my small greenhouse pond.
History of creation
There is no exact information about the origin. It is believed that the common carp was brought to China by traders or that it came there naturally. And from China it came to Japan, but here the traces of traders or settlers are already clearly visible.
In written sources, the first mention of koi occurs in the 14th-15th century. Local name is magoi or black carp.
Carp are an excellent source of protein, so farmers in Niigata Prefecture began artificially breeding them to supplement their rice-poor diet during the winter months. When the fish reached a length of 20 cm, it was caught, salted and dried in reserve.
By the 19th century, farmers began to notice that some carps had changed. Red or white spots appeared on their body. Who, when and why came up with the idea of breeding them not for food, but for decorative purposes is unknown.
However, the Japanese have been engaged in breeding work for a long time; for example, the world owes the appearance of many goldfish to them. So breeding for beauty was only a matter of time.
Moreover, the selection work also included hybridization with other types of carp. For example, at the beginning of the 20th century, carp were crossed with mirror carp from Germany. Japanese breeders named the new variation Doitsu (Germany in Japanese).
The real boom in breeding came in 1914, when some breeders presented their fish at an exhibition in Tokyo. People from all over Japan saw the living treasure and over the next years dozens of new variations appeared.
The rest of the world also learned about koi, but they were able to spread widely around the world only in the sixties, along with the advent of plastic containers. In it, carps could be sent to any country without the risk of losing the entire batch.
Today they are bred all over the world, but they are considered to be the best in Niigata Prefecture. Koi are one of the most sought after ornamental fish in the world. You can find breed lovers in almost every country.
Adviсe
- Make sure that the surface on which the aquarium stands can support the weight of the pond. Keeping koi in an aquarium requires durable floors.
- When buying pet food, pay attention to the expiration date and compliance with storage conditions. Avoid loose feed.
- The water in the aquarium is free of cloudiness and foreign odors. If the water quality is low, increase filtration and aeration, and check the water with special tests.
- Fish sleep in complete darkness. Don't forget to turn off the lights at night.
- Combine biological and mechanical filtration. Purifying water with the help of colonies of beneficial bacteria will provide your pets with a full-fledged existence.
Koi carps are smart and charming aquarium fish. They remember the owner, feed from hands and even allow themselves to be petted. Feeding the fish can be accompanied by some sound, for example, knocking on the glass of the aquarium. Then the carp will react to the sound, realizing that it is time for lunch.
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Description
Since this is a pond fish kept for its appearance, large fish are valued. The normal size for koi is considered to be from 40 cm to a record 120 cm. Fish weigh from 4 to 40 kg, and live up to ... 226 years.
At least the oldest documented koi in history lived to this age. Its age was calculated by the layers in its scales, since in carp each layer is formed once a year, like rings in trees.
The record holder's name is Hanako, but besides him, the age of other carp was also calculated. And it turned out: Aoi - 170 years old, Chikara - 150 years old, Yuki - 141 years old, etc.
The color is difficult to describe. Over the years of selection, many variations have appeared. They differ from each other in color, color and shape of spots, the presence or absence of scales and other characteristics.
Types of carp KOI
Although their number is practically endless, amateurs are trying to classify the breeds. Below is a partial list of varieties.
- Gosanke: the so-called big three (Kohaku, Sanke and Showa) Kohaku: white body with bright red spots
- Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke): tri-colored, white body with red spots and small black spots. Created during the Taisho era
- Showa Sanshoku (Showa): Black body with red and white spots. Were created during the Showa era
Koi carp in the pond
The koi carp themselves are unpretentious; with a normal balance in the reservoir, they only need to be fed.
Most often, owners are faced with the problem of clean water in the pond and achieve it using various types of filtration. The fact is that most of the reservoirs in which they live are too small and are not capable of providing independent, natural cleaning.
They require external filtration to remove waste products from the water before they kill the fish. A good filtration system contains both biological and mechanical cleaning methods.
We will not dwell on it separately, since there are now many options. Both ready-made and homemade.
The water temperature should be stable and not change significantly in a short period of time. Carps themselves are able to tolerate both low and high water temperatures.
But, again, if the reservoir is small, then the temperature fluctuations there are large. To prevent fish from suffering from them, the depth of the pond must be at least 100 cm.
The pond should also have steep edges that will deter predators such as herons from entering it.
Since the pond is located in the open air, the influence of the seasons is not very strong. Below you will learn what to look for at each time of year.
Spring
The worst time of year for carp. Firstly, the water temperature changes rapidly throughout the day.
Secondly, hungry predators appear, looking for tasty fish after a long winter or flight from warm countries.
Thirdly, water temperature +5-10ºC is the most dangerous for fish. The immune system of fish has not yet been activated, but bacteria and parasites are the opposite.
The best thing you can do for your koi at this time is to provide them with oxygen and a stable water temperature. Watch the fish carefully. Look for any warning signs of exhaustion or difficulty swimming.
You need to start feeding the fish when the water temperature rises above 10ºC. If they stand near the surface and ask for food, then this is a good sign.
At this time, it is better to use feed with a high content of wheat germ, as it is better absorbed.
Summer
The sunniest and hottest time of the year, which means maximum metabolism in fish and maximum activity of the immune system. In summer, koi can feed 3-5 times a day without harm to their health.
You just need to make sure that your filtration system is ready for this, as the amount of waste will increase sharply. And along with it, nitrates and ammonia.
Plus, if you don't have a large enough filter, your pond will end up looking like a bowl of pea soup!
Another thing to keep a close eye on during the summer is the oxygen level in the water.
The fact is that the higher the temperature, the less oxygen is dissolved and retained in it. The fish suffocate, stand still and may die.
To maintain oxygen levels in water, it is necessary to aerate it. In principle, this can be either a regular aerator, or a waterfall or water flow from a filter.
The main thing is that the mirror of the pond fluctuates. It is through vibrations of water that gas exchange occurs.
The minimum level of oxygen in water that Koi needs is 4 ppm. Keep in mind that 4 ppm is the minimum requirement, oxygen levels should always be well above this. Your koi need oxygen to live.
The ideal water temperature in summer is 21-24 ºC. This is the most comfortable temperature range for them.
If you have a shallow pond, the water temperature may rise to dangerous levels and your koi may be harmed. Provide cover or shade for your pond so they can get away from direct sunlight.
Koi love to eat bugs. Often at night you can hear splashing sounds on the water as they try to reach insects flying near the surface. Plentiful feeding and the added bonus of bugs make them grow very quickly.
Autumn
Everything falls - leaves, water temperature, day length. And the immune system. Poikilothermia or cold-bloodedness is also characteristic of carp. Their body temperature depends on the temperature of the water.
When the water temperature drops below 15ºC you will see the carp slow down. Again you need to monitor their health and behavior.
At this time it is time to prepare for winter. When temperatures begin to drop, switch to feeds that contain a high percentage of wheat germ and a low percentage of protein.
This mixture will be easy to digest and will help cleanse their digestive system.
Stop feeding your koi altogether when temperatures drop below 10C. They may look hungry, but if you feed them, the food in their stomachs will rot and they will suffer.
Keep your pond absolutely clean in the fall. This means removing leaves and other debris from your pond immediately. If you leave this in your pond throughout the winter, it will begin to decompose and release toxic gases.
Winter (wintering)
The further north you live, the more likely you are to see snow and ice, even though winters are mild.
Koi hibernate during the winter so they do not eat or produce any toxins. Do not feed koi if the water temperature is below 10C.
In winter, as in summer, you need to monitor the oxygen in the water; complete freezing of the surface of the reservoir is especially dangerous. It is better to turn off the waterfall at this time, as it makes the water temperature even lower.
At this time, the fish stays at the bottom, where the water temperature is slightly higher than at the surface. Its activity tends to zero, the carps fall into a state close to hibernation. Don't feed koi carp in winter!
Make sure that the water temperature does not approach +1C. Otherwise, ice crystals may form on the fish's gills.
Don't add salt to your pond. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, so if you add it to your pond, it can kill your fish as the water temperature can drop below freezing.
Breeding
Carp rarely breed in an aquarium. To breed koi at home, you need a huge tank. Reproduction occurs in spring and summer at a temperature of 20 degrees. Choose the most beautiful manufacturers. Mature individuals reach 23 cm, the male differs from the female:
- powerful pectoral fins;
- less weighty body;
- narrow head shape;
- the appearance of growths on the gills (tubercles).
When breeding, feed your koi carp live protein food and change the water frequently. Remember that parents are prone to eating eggs and fry. Prepare a container in advance in which to place the eggs. The fry begin to hatch a week after the eggs are laid. Due to their special structure, the fry are attached to the ground or plants and lie there until they hatch completely. When young individuals learn to swim on their own, they occasionally swim to the surface of the water, then start feeding. Take care of aeration and cleanliness of water.
Feeding
There are many factors to consider when feeding:
- Filter size
- Pond size
- Filter type and amount of time available to clean it
- How many fish do you have in your pond?
- What season is it now?
Summertime is a growth period for carp. In their natural environment, they will eat as much as they can in order to store fat to live off during the winter when food is scarce. You should feed high protein food during the summer to increase their growth rate.
Most people typically feed 2-5 times a day. If you feed them about 2-3 times a day, they will grow slower or even stay about the same size.
If you feed 3-5 times a day, they will grow quickly and reach their maximum size faster.
You must monitor the amount of feed; you don't want to overload your biological filter. If this happens, there will be a surge of ammonia and the fish may die.
Overfeeding can also cause harm through obesity and related health problems.
Koi can also be fed treats. They love oranges, grapefruits, lemons, watermelons, bread, earthworms, grubs and many other healthy fruits and vegetables.
Fruits such as oranges and grapefruits can be cut in half and thrown into the water, and the rest of the food can be chopped into pieces.
In the fall, when your pond temperature drops below 15ºC, you should start feeding a high wheat germ diet to help cleanse their digestive system.
When the water temperature starts to drop below 10ºC, you should stop feeding them altogether. When the water temperature gets this cold, your Koi's digestive system will shut down and any food that remains in it will begin to rot.
In winter, carp do not eat at all. Their metabolism slows to a crawl, so they only need their body fat to survive during the colder months.
In the spring their metabolism wakes up, so it's a good idea to feed them an easily digestible diet high in wheat germ.
You can start feeding them as soon as the water temperature in your pond is above 10ºC. A good sign is if carp start eating plants growing in the pond.
Start by feeding once a day and then gradually increase the amount. When the water temperature is consistently around 15ºC, you can start feeding a high protein diet.
A good food contains complete proteins and stabilized vitamin C, which does not break down within 90 days, like regular vitamin C.
Content
There are cases of keeping koi not only in home-made ponds, but also in illuminated city fountains. It is allowed to keep koi carp in an aquarium with high-quality and constant maintenance. You can't do without expensive equipment. Japanese carp are demanding when it comes to water purity. Water parameters:
- temperature 15–30 degrees;
- pH 7–7.5, during treatment of fish it is allowed to increase the value to 8;
- hardness 1–7.
Avoid sudden changes in water parameters. If not maintained correctly, wounds and small ulcers form on the body. Poor water quality leads to gill rot and other infectious diseases with fatal consequences. Signs of the onset of the disease are decreased appetite and lethargy. Koi are susceptible to ichthyophthyriasis, during which ciliates parasitize the skin. In infected fish, a swelling appears at the site where the parasite penetrates the skin. It is treated with a solution of table salt or malachite green.
Reservoir dimensions
Koi are active fish and require a lot of space for normal development. For every centimeter of a fish's body there is at least 5 liters of water. Keep in mind that fish grow as they live. Koi are kept in an aquarium of 500 liters or more.
Scenery
When decorating an aquarium, focus on the colorful inhabitants. Pisces look great against a plain background. Fish love to dig and move decorations. Think about the color combination in advance: bright fish look impressive against a dark background.
Limit yourself to a minimum of plants and accessories - excess design distracts from contemplating the koi and takes up space in the aquarium. Choose sandy or fine gravel soil.
Equipment
Equipment you will need:
- Filter. A large aquarium requires a powerful filter. Choose external devices. They are more powerful and provide high-quality filtration. You may need several devices for proper filtration.
- Compressor. Koi carps require oxygenation of the water. For filtration and aeration, purchase two different devices. You should not entrust aeration to a filter.
- Lamp. For the brightness of the color of koi, intense lighting and adherence to the light regime of the day are required.
Compatibility
It is not difficult to guess that pond fish are not compatible with tropical fish. The exception is some types of goldfish, such as the Shubunkin. But they are also a little more whimsical than pond koi.
Koi and goldfish
Goldfish appeared in China more than a thousand years ago, through selection from crucian carp. They have changed so much since then that goldfish (Carassius auratus) and crucian carp (Carassius gibelio) are now considered different species.
Goldfish came to Japan in the 17th century, and to Europe in the 18th. Koi fish were bred from Amur carp in 1820. Moreover, they are a color variation and if the color is not maintained, then after a few generations they turn into ordinary fish.
The length of carp reaches one meter and on average they grow at a rate of 2 cm per month. The largest goldfish will grow no more than 30 cm.
They are smaller, have more variations in body shapes, more color variations and longer fin lengths.
The variations have a common body shape and differ from each other only in color.
Some types of goldfish (regular, comet, shubunkin) are similar in color and body shape to koi and are difficult to distinguish before puberty.
Koi and goldfish can interbreed, but since they are different species of fish, the offspring will be sterile.
Owner reviews
Many koi carp owners have come to the conclusion that proper maintenance of these original fish ensures that they are able to live up to 2 or 3 decades. It has been noted that some individuals generally feel great up to 50 years of age.
These ornamental fish do not have a stomach, but instead have a long intestine. Therefore, this intestine cannot be filled completely at once. Their metabolism is quite fast, so wild carp are constantly in search of food. Domestic koi should not be overfed under any circumstances, as this leads to obesity and subsequent death of pets.
Japan is considered the birthplace of these carps, but the fish quickly adapt to other, more extreme conditions. In order for the fish to successfully winter, the depth of the reservoir must be at least 2 meters.
The cost of ornamental koi depends on many factors, such as body color, body shape, quality of skin and scales. In this regard, today a limited number of aquarists are engaged in breeding koi carps.
Sex differences
Males and females can be distinguished by their body shape. Males are longer and slimmer, while females are blimp-like. They are always wider than males, as they carry hundreds of eggs.
Because of this, many hobbyists keep only females, since the color of the fish is much more visible on a wide body. And for the same reason, females most often win at exhibitions.
But this difference clearly appears only over time, when the fish become larger and older.
Upon reaching sexual maturity (about two years), the difference between male and female becomes obvious.
Fish diseases
Carp diseases occur due to improper maintenance of fish and parasites that affect the internal organs and scales of pets. To prevent the development of diseases, you should know common diseases, their symptoms and methods of treatment:
- Rubella is a contagious disease. Outbreaks occur in the spring with an increase in water temperature, as a result of which the fish experience dysfunction of the excretory system. In 90% of cases, the disease is fatal. Methods to combat rubella are the use of chloramphenicol orally or using baths, increasing the pH level to 8.
- Saprolegniosis - manifests itself as a consequence of an illness or injury, the causative agent is considered to be a fungus. Light threads form on the body of the fish, which transform into plaque. As a result of the disease, pets become lethargic and lose their appetite. For treatment, use salt baths and 0.1% potassium permagnate lotions.
- Philometroidosis – carp of all ages are susceptible to this disease. The larvae of the parasite that causes phylometroidosis develop in the body of the fish, after which they are released into the aquatic environment, and the fish dies. As a result, other koi become infected - the pets lose mobility and lag behind in development. Therapeutic drugs are used to treat koi.
