When the Japanese started breeding these magnificent fish from carp mutations, they only came in one or two colors.  With more breeding throughout the years came more color varieties and combinations of patterns.  

Black Koi can grow to be about thirty-six inches in length.  Like all Koi fish because of their length, black Koi need to be kept in large ponds.  The Magoi Koi species is one of the first all black mutations and can grow to very large sized.  They are actually a deep bronze but they look black when viewed from above.  Because of their possibilities in size, Magoi blood is being reintroduced into other species to hasten and maximize growth potential. 

One Species of black Koi fish is the Karasu meaning “crow” in Japanese.  The Karasu is another extremely old species.  It has black fins and a black body.  This species can also have a white or orange belly.  

Koi have a tendency to change color due to the effects of their environment or due to their diet.  These color changes typically entail the fish going from a duller or brighter shade of color.  The Matsukawabake Koi species takes the ability to change color.  It is a black Koi that typically has areas or white on its body.  According to the temperature of the water or the seasons the color of this Koi fish can change completely.  This Koi can turn completely black or completely white.  But, amazingly the Koi will return to its original pattern once the conditions change. 

First appearing in the 1980’s, the Kumonryu is the most popular of the black Koi species.  The name means “dragon fish”.  The Kumonryu received its name because some were reminded of the bodies of the dragons depicted in ancient paintings.  Some also thought that these fish looked like dragons ascending through the white clouds in the sky.  Like the Matsukawabake, these Koi can also change their color.   

One of the attractions that draw pond owners to the Koi is the large variety of colors that they come in.  An even more attractive notion is that of having the ability to own a fish that will literally be able to change color before your eyes like some of the black Koi species can.

Koi fish are omnivorous which means that they will eat a variety of foods including meat matter and plant matter.  They have keen appetites dwelling in water temperatures from 61 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  During the summer months when Koi fish are the most active owners should feed their fish a good quality diet.  Koi receive their food from two sources; their owner and the environment.  These fish are an opportunistic eater which means that they will eat whatever comes their way and will fit into their mouths.  Koi fish will sometimes nibble on the foliage of underwater plants giving their owners a hard time.  They will also eat a variety of insects that are unlucky enough to get within their range including worms, and snails.  Some owners have also reported seeing their Koi pull themselves part of the way out of the water to obtain fallen acorns or nibble on grasses. 

Koi will also enjoy a variety of foods offered to them by their owners.  Pond owners can offer their Koi a special treat of peas, lettuce, or even watermelons.  Koi fish require the right combination of protein, fats, fiber, minerals, and vitamins.  Owners can ensure that their Koi are receiving these combinations by feeding them pellet food.  Most store bought pellet foods for Koi are made to float at the top of the water so the fish are forced to come to the surface.  With the Koi in view it gives the owner the perfect time to observe the fish.  They can make sure they have good appetites, that they are healthy, and that they are free of injuries.  A healthy diet results in vivid colors of the fish.

During the winter months the digestive systems of these cold water fish slows down.  It is not necessary to feed them.  They may nibble on algae at the bottom of the pond but, once the temperature goes below fifty degrees Fahrenheit, any food left in their stomachs can become rancid and cause illness to the Koi. 

Since Koi have such great appetites, owners do not need to put a lot of stress into how much they are being fed or the way they are being fed.   Because of this, one of the best and most relaxing parts of the day for a Koi pond owner is when it is time to feed their fish.  Owners take pleasure in the Koi’s willingness to interact with them and see their fish in a different way.  While, it is true that Koi need a balanced diet, when it comes to food, it is all fun and games.

When most people think of a garden, they think of plants.  There are several different kinds of gardens and they are all rewarding in their own way.  But, what the typical garden lacks is made up with a Koi garden.  This type of garden mixes several different elements and molds it into a health, thriving system.  A Koi garden typically consists of three major parts; the pond, Koi fish, and plant life.

The depth and size of the pond is extremely important.  A pond that contains a depth of at least four feet provides enough room for Koi to thrive.  Water at that depth also provides Koi with protection from dangerous predators like cats and raccoons.  Because Koi can grow to large lengths is another reason they need space.  Larger ponds allow the possibility of adding more Koi once you feel comfortable in caring for you garden.  Once you have planned how large your pond will be, consider where you are going to place your Koi garden.  The best place is out of direct sunlight.  Although placing a pond under the shade of a tree provides your garden protection from flying predators, it also allows debris like leaves to fall into the water.  It will also have to be in a spot that will avoid it from coming into contact with pesticides or other harmful chemicals.  Even a small amount of the average lawn chemicals can destroy Koi fish. 

Unfortunately, plants and Koi fish do not co-exist well.  But, that does not mean that you can’t have any plants at all.  Koi fish can sometimes give their owners a hard time when it comes to keeping them in ponds with potted plants.  They will sometimes “dig” in the soil or it is possible for the larger ones to knock the plant over which may lead to a messy pond and can create real problems for the owner. This problem can be solved by wrapping netting over the tops of the pots, to keep the fish from digging in them.  Or you can place pea gravel, and then larger river stones on top of the plants.  That will keep Koi at from invading the pots.  Koi will also forage the bottom of the pond munching on the plant’s foliage. 

Lilies are a great choice of plant for your Koi garden.  There are several different varieties to choose from.  Some lilies do very well is shallow ponds while others thrive in deeper water.  Although they are not known as oxygenating plants, they provide shelter and shade for Koi. 

By considering your Koi garden as a whole rather then just the plants or just the Koi, your Koi garden is sure to be beautiful and thrive for many years to come.

It was the first Koi that produced Carp such as the German and Asian Carp by breeding it.. After years of selective breeding, different color mutations began showing up. As early as 1805, the first color patterns were recorded. At present, there are literally thousands of color variations existing. The most well-known colors found are green, white, yellow, red, silver, black, orange and blue. Mixed with the patterns available, the probability are almost unlimited. Each noticeable pattern and color has their own names, which are mostly as extraordinary as the color they are referring too. Favored types vary by country and location.

Just about 30 years ago, Koi breeders took some Koi and mixed them with the Asian long finned carp. They did so to try to nurture a type that would be more enduring and less prone to virus and ailment because generations of inbreeding has caused the Koi to grow to be quite fragile. The outcome of their interbreeding was a type of Koi that nobody elsehas seen beforehand. It had long fins and tails and over the years showed immense resistance towards disorders. This type of Koi was at a later time called the Butterfly Koi.

The Butterfly Koi at present is found universally alongside its normal cousin, the Koi. They also come in numerous varieties like Asagi, Kohaku, Showa etc and are recognized to be the most pretty of all Koi because of their elongated fins and tails.

Koi, including the Butterfly Koi, unlike most other fish will keep on to grow until they attain their breeds’ dictated size, no matter the location that they are in. Usually, the baby koi can be as small as 3 inches.. On the other hand, a large Koi have even been known to reach lengths of three feet or more. The most known size found is around two feet in length.

Koi are omnivorous fish, which means they will eat both meat and plants. This means that their diets are very resourceful and they will eat pretty much anything.

Koi are non-aggressive fish. This means that they are applicable to live with other fish such as goldfish or comets. The only issue you may acquire is less important, not as much of able fish may perhaps languish from lack of food, as Koi are fast eaters. Koi are so gracious that they can be disciplined to eat out of their owners’ hand. Koi do not have teeth, so you will not get bitten if you yearn to feed your Koi out of your hand.

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Spring is perhaps the worse season for Koi fish. Water temperature is an important factor to consider. Another is to know how to keep bacteria and parasites away to prey on your fish. It is notable that under water temperature of 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit Koi’s immune system is at its lowest.

Proper Koi care will involve supplying oxygen adequately to reduce distressing the fish. Pond heating system is a good source in providing that ideal water temperature and keeping you abreast of the current temperature of the water.

When Koi are in distress they may not swim well which is a good indication that your fish needs extra Koi care. When they begin to constantly surface on the water they might be hungry and you can feed them ideally with wheat germ-rich fish food for better digestion.

Summer is their favorite season of the year where they get an extra boost of energy and immunity. Being the growing season among Kois they often feed 3 to 5 times a day. Ensure that your filter works well to eliminate their wastes otherwise ammonia build up will increase.

Keep an eye on your dissolved oxygen level. Warm water is unable to hold oxygen well and the fish needs oxygen to live. Proper Koi care should involve providing adequate aeration in the water and this can be addressed by simply using an air pump or large waterfall. Keep your Koi warm and comfortable from the summer heat by providing shades to avoid getting hit by direct sunlight.

Fall is a time of year where their immune system also drops. It is critical period when the water temperature is below 60 degrees. It is best to provide Koi care indoor to keep them warm and feed them with foods that are low in protein and high in wheat germ. Do not feed the fish under the temperature below 50 degrees as they will be unable to digest the foods better and subject them to distress. Keep your pond clean from any debris that will harbor bacterial growth.

Winter is the season where Koi usually hibernate. Being the coldest season of the year it slows down the fish’ digestive system so do not feed the fish under water temperature of 50 degrees. This will leave the food on the fish’ stomach undigested and will rot.

Keep adequate oxygen in the pond while keeping more open space for the carbon dioxide to be released from the water. You can use an airstone or aquarium power head for better maintenance of its environment.

Maintain the water temperature above 34 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent ice crystals to form that can kill them. Avoid putting salts in the water as it reduces the water’s freezing point. Your Koi can leave more comfortable if you provide them proper seasonal Koi care that they need.

Koi carp fish belong to the same species of fish as the common carp, with the Koi being considered the most domesticated. The Japanese are credited as the first breeders of the marvelous Koi carp fish and their efforts date to the 1820’s. Koi fish are known for their variety of colors and attractive patterns which includes lively colors such as blue, green, red, orange, yellow, and silver. Of course, Koi can also be found in basic colors such as black and white. Their environment and the care that they receive directly affect their color. Proper Koi care requires a great deal of consistency and diligence.

Koi carp fish may behave differently in smaller versus larger ponds. This is something to be considered when planning and preparing for Koi care. Koi fish usually school when they are in smaller ponds, but will separate into smaller units when they are in a larger pond. Additionally, Koi carp fish are known to be very social with a number of other fish breeds, except in situations with much smaller fish that can fit into their mouths and be eaten. Remember, Koi are opportunistic feeders. Those that are planning to raise them should consider their social activity when making preparation for their pond.

Koi carp fish are best kept in ponds that are at least five hundred gallons, as they generally become large fish as they grow and age. As fish get bigger, they may outgrow your designated space. If you see that your Koi has the potential to exceed the allotted space, then you may need to designate a larger space, or trade them out for smaller fish. Take care to give the larger fish to someone that also has a passion for Koi fish. If you are into Koi, then you should make every effort to follow proper Koi treatment and care. Your close attention to your fish can make your experience of Koi keeping very gratifying. Your Koi can be healthy with proper care, but that will depend heavily on the space designated for them, the water quality and temperature. Koi carp fish are not cheap, and it can become very costly if you struggle with keeping them and have to replace them. Always remember that Koi are naturally used to cold water; thus, when keeping them, you should ensure that their environment is spacious and kept in the temperature range of 61 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

When it comes to caring for Koi, there are few major issues that can arise if owners don’t administer the proper treatment to ensure their Koi carp fish are well cared for. Koi can remain in an outdoor pond during the winter because they are cold-water fish. They actually do very well in the colder temperatures; however, for proper Koi keeping, the they should be kept in an outdoor pond that is more than three feet deep. During the winter season, Koi go into a hibernation phase and experience a dramatic decrease in digestive functioning. At this time they will not be able to properly digest food. If you continue to provide food, Koi fish can get sick because the food is not digested and will spoil in their stomachs. Therefore, when taking care of feeding your Koi, make sure that all caregivers know not to feed them when it is fifty degrees Fahrenheit or below.

Koi carp fish add a liveliness and brilliance to outdoor ponds that people find both enjoyable and relaxing. The presence of Koi carp fish in an outside pond can make sure of a pleasant garden experience. Owners know and can appreciate how wonderful it is to have Koi as a part of their lives.

Maybe you hesitated because you really didn’t know where to start. Or maybe you’ve never kept fish before and thought you should begin with “starter” fish. Well none of that is necessary because if it’s koi you want in your aquarium or pond, then it’s koi you should have – and will help you every step of the way.

These amazing fish are among the most beautiful alive. It is clear that the Japanese took a lot of pride in selectively breeding koi fish to produce the different gorgeous color patterns we see today. Their spectacular colors and patterns are part of the reason that koi fish are still loved today and are treasured by their owners.

The colors of a koi fish should be bright. A red koi should be bright red and a black koi should be deep black. A dull black or a fish containing scales or spots that are slightly graying does not reflect well on the fish. As would a white koi that is not pure white as snow but contains specks of dirty grey. Color is an indicator of good health. With koi, if they are in poor health or are exposed to poor water conditions, they will change color. Their bright colors will turn dull. If you are looking to buy koi fish understanding how a koi’s color is supposed to look can help you in picking out a health fish. In turn, while caring for koi of your own, keeping a close watch on the color of your koi will determine if you are giving them the best care possible.

Koi fish come in many different colors. Some of the major and most seen colors are red, white, black, yellow, blue and cream. The Japanese used certain terms to describe the colors and traits of koi fish. Koi fish breeders have identified and named a large number of specific categories. The most popular category is the Gosanke category which includes Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoki and Showa Sanshoki varieties of koi. The Kohaku koi variety are white with red markings. The white coloring on this breed of koi should be pure snowy white and the red should have well defined edges that cover between 50 and 70 percent of the body. The Taisho Sanshoki variety of koi which is also known as Taisho Sanke or just Sanke, are white fish with red and black markings. Like most white coloring on koi, the white coloring should be pure snowy white while the red and black colors are deep in hue with distinct edges. Similar to the Sanke variety of koi, the Showa Sanshoki, or just Showa variety of koi are also white, black and red in color. The difference between the two is that the Showa koi is predominantly black with red and white markings. Other koi varieties all have their own color markings. For instance the Ogon koi breeds come in a variety of colors but are all one color. They should be an even hue all over their body with no patterns or markings.

It is possible to enhance their koi’s colors by feeding them a rich diet. Shrimp, marigold, plankton and blue-green algae known as Spirulina are examples of types of food that have been added to commercially prepared foods specifically geared to enhance the color in koi fish. Plus, feeding koi frozen or freeze-dried foods like brine shrimp and daphnia, you are ultimately feeding them color-enhancing ingredients. Each of these types of foods have high concentrations of carotenoid pigments. Carotenoid pigments are the major pigments of the koi’s skin.

Would you believe that a creature this colorful and graceful is also easy to care for? It’s true! Once you see how extremely easy these fish are to call your own, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t start this hobby sooner.

When the Japanese started breeding these magnificent fish from carp mutations, they only came in one or two colors.  With more breeding throughout the years came more color varieties and combinations of patterns.  

Black Koi can grow to be about thirty-six inches in length.  Like all Koi fish because of their length, black Koi need to be kept in large ponds.  The Magoi Koi species is one of the first all black mutations and can grow to very large sized.  They are actually a deep bronze but they look black when viewed from above.  Because of their possibilities in size, Magoi blood is being reintroduced into other species to hasten and maximize growth potential. 

One Species of black Koi fish is the Karasu meaning “crow” in Japanese.  The Karasu is another extremely old species.  It has black fins and a black body.  This species can also have a white or orange belly.  

Koi have a tendency to change color due to the effects of their environment or due to their diet.  These color changes typically entail the fish going from a duller or brighter shade of color.  The Matsukawabake Koi species takes the ability to change color.  It is a black Koi that typically has areas or white on its body.  According to the temperature of the water or the seasons the color of this Koi fish can change completely.  This Koi can turn completely black or completely white.  But, amazingly the Koi will return to its original pattern once the conditions change. 

First appearing in the 1980’s, the Kumonryu is the most popular of the black Koi species.  The name means “dragon fish”.  The Kumonryu received its name because some were reminded of the bodies of the dragons depicted in ancient paintings.  Some also thought that these fish looked like dragons ascending through the white clouds in the sky.  Like the Matsukawabake, these Koi can also change their color.   

One of the attractions that draw pond owners to the Koi is the large variety of colors that they come in.  An even more attractive notion is that of having the ability to own a fish that will literally be able to change color before your eyes like some of the black Koi species can.