Carp is a very popular and colorful fish species called Amur carp (carp).
These fish are usually kept as ornamental fish in outdoor ponds or garden waters. They have a rich history in Asian culture dating back thousands of years.
The bright, vibrant colors and behavior of koi bring color and vibrancy to your outdoor pond.
1. Koi means “Nishikigoi” in Japanese.
Koi is actually the unofficial name for this species, and is often referred to as Japanese Koi or its Japanese name. Nishikigoi. In Japanese, Koi means “Nishikigoi”. In Japanese culture, koi are commonly kept as they are symbols of good luck, prosperity, and happiness.
Koi were first exhibited in Tokyo in 1914, and their popularity spread throughout Japan. It was also around this time that breeding began in Niigata, Japan, developed, and spread throughout the world.
2. Pet koi are kept in ponds
Where do koi live?
Wild carp live in the Aral Sea, Black Sea, and Caspian Sea, but pet carp are commonly kept in outdoor ponds. Ponds are a great way to enjoy koi and can even provide beautiful landscaping to your property, as they often have elaborate rocks and waterfalls.
Carp are temperate freshwater fish that thrive in water temperatures of 64 to 75 degrees and can survive down to almost -33 degrees. The 8-foot-deep pond can maintain a thermocline (temperature gradient) in the water, giving the koi a variety of experiences. different temperatures.
A deep pond will make it easier for koi to stay in the pond during the winter. Pond water can freeze anywhere between 18 and 24 inches deep. By ensuring the pond is deep enough, you can prevent the fish from freezing.
Koi are commonly kept as ornamental fish in outdoor ponds or garden water bodies.
Carp go into dormancy during the winter when water temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The koi’s metabolism and activity level slowly decline, resulting in them spending more time at the bottom of the pond and not swimming as much.
You can add a pond heater to increase the water temperature and help your koi survive the winter temperatures.
If your pond freezes over the winter, you can take special measures. For example, cutting holes in the ice and adding an aerator can help your carp survive. You can also move the fish to an indoor pond in your basement or garage.
When choosing fish for your pond, keep in mind that small fish will grow over time. To decide how many fish you can keep in your pond, it’s important to know how big your fish will be as adults. A typical carp can grow up to 14 to 18 inches and will require 250 gallons per carp, regardless of their size.
3. Koi have a very long lifespan.
If you take great care when keeping a koi as a pet, you will get a long-lived fish. So how long do Is the carp alive?
If provided with the right environmental conditions, koi can live an average of 25 to 50 years. There are reports that carp can live for 100 to 200 years, making it the oldest carp ever recorded. lived to be 226 years old.
Water quality, nutrition, and preventative health care can help extend your koi’s lifespan. there are many commercially available carp food It is available to pet parents and can only be used to feed the koi to provide complete nutrition.
Providing proper veterinary care will help extend your koi’s lifespan. Not all veterinarians can treat fish, so be sure to find one that specializes in your pet. organizations such as American Fish Veterinarian Association (AAFV), which helps pet parents find veterinarians experienced in treating koi.
4. Koi prices can fluctuate significantly.
Koi prices fluctuate depending on various factors. Small carp usually cost between $8 and $50. Depending on the size and color, some koi can cost over $100. of The most expensive carp ever sold It was sold for $1.8 million in Japan at the 2017 All Japan Koi Fair.
Factors that determine the price of carp include:
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genetic lineage—Popular bloodlines are more expensive.
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carp breeds— Representative varieties include Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa.
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pattern— Steps (colored bands on the dorsal surface of the fish) and pattern symmetry often increase the price of carp.
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size–The bigger the fish, the higher the price.
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origin–Imported animals are more expensive than domestic animals.
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Number of fish purchased—Koi tend to be cheaper when purchased in bulk. If the koi you plan to purchase is not yet fully grown, check to see if you can keep all koi.
5. There are many types of carp.
There are over 100 types of carp, which are classified into 16 groups. All Japan Airinkai (Original Koi Club) is a club that oversees the breeding and judging standards of Koi.
Koi can be distinguished by color, pattern, scale shape, etc. New varieties of carp are constantly being developed through breeding.
Many Koi breeds are made up of three core colors.
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red (high)
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White (white)
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Black (stain)
Other commonly seen colors include:
Some fish may have a silvery or golden metallic sheen to their appearance. Commonly known as “Ginrin”. Koi are typically tricolored, but they can also be monochromatic, bicolored, or multicolored.
6. Koi can grow very large.
So, how big do carp get? Depending on the species, some carp can reach up to 3 feet in length.
Generally, each koi requires 250 gallons of pond space. Larger showfish and reproductively active females require a pond size of 500 gallons per fish.
