Backyard Oasis

Koi, or Nishikigoi, are quickly becoming popular in the United States. However, few know of their origins.
photo credit: zigiella

The first Koi ever were grown by breeding carp fish such as the Asian and German Carp. After years of selective breeding, distinct color mutations started showing up.

It is at 1805 that the first design of koi fish is registered. Today, there are actually a lot of of color variations available. The popular colors we can find today are white, silver, yellow, orange, red, black, blue and green. Combined with the designs available, the possibilities are virtually endless.

Every noticeable pattern and color have their own names, which are actually as unique as the color they are referring to. Yet the preferred design are diversified by people in varied countries.

It is already known that people most often produce Koi in wamer American nations, Japan and Singapore. Koi can be bought at most local pet stores.

People can order koi fish, if the stores do not have stock on hand Ordering Koi has its rewards and disadvantages. You have more selections if you order Koi, since you do not have to pick from the stock on hand, but the disfavor lies in the fact that you will not be able to pick specific Koi.
photo credit: sarniebill1

Koi, unlike most other fish, will continue to grow until they reach their breeds dictated size, no matter the environment that they are in. Baby Koi can be found as small as 3 inches. Jumbo Koi have even been know to reach lengths of three feet or more. The most common size found is around two feet in length.

Koi are omnivorous fish, which means they will eat both meat and plants. This means that they have very versatile diet. Koi will eat pretty much about that you throw in the pond with them, doesn’t matter if it is good for them or not.

As Koi do not know what is bad and good for them, so you need to control their diet. Another possible problem is over feeding them.Again, Koi do not know when to stop eating, and weight issues may occur from overfeeding none nutritional foods.

The safest foods for Koi are what they can find in their ponds naturally, such as earthworms, but it doesn’t hurt to feed Koi treats such as Lettuce, bread, fruit, and veggies.

You should pay special care to the particular foods such as corn, beans, and grapes, as they contain an outer shell, that cannot be properly digested if swallowed by Koi. If you must feed this type of foods to your Koi, always remember to completely remove the outer casings before giving it to your Koi.

Koi are none-aggressive fish. This means that they are suitable to live with other fish such as goldfish or comets. The only issue you may find is smaller, less able fish may suffer from lack of food, as Koi are quick eaters.

Koi are so mellow that they have even been known to be trained to eat out of their owners hand. Koi do not have teeth, so you will not get bit if you decide to attempt to feed your Koi out of your hand.

Koi have been known to live up to 30 years under the appropriate conditions, so you buy a Koi, you must consider this. The oldest Koi ever known to history is a Japabese Koi, who was 233 years old when he died.