| Ponds built for koi should be close to three feet | | | | environment is a hobby area all of own but one |
| or deeper to allow these larger fish enough space. | | | | worth including if you have the space and time to |
| In Japan, breeding koi has occupied a position | | | | maintain one. Many people in Japan recognize the |
| between hobby and art form for more than two | | | | term Nishikigoi but may not be familiar with the |
| centuries A koi pond is different from a water | | | | term Koi. The majority of first time Koi owners |
| garden because koi limit the amount of plant life | | | | fail because they get the idea that keeping Koi is |
| available to be grown. Koi do not hibernate and | | | | easy in some way. Koi have been known to live |
| even though they can live through the cold | | | | for up to 200 years at a time, but generally the |
| months in the Pacific Northwest, I try to make | | | | average lifespan of a healthy Koi is about 30 |
| their winter more comfortable. Koi is a drum | | | | years. In Chinese culture, Koi ponds are said to |
| shaped Japanese fish which can make your | | | | bring good luck to their owners. Koi carp is an |
| garden pond come alive with its vibrant colors and | | | | ornamental mutation of the common carp |
| playful behavior. If you are keeping koi then a | | | | (Cyprinus carpio), native from Asia, especially |
| smaller upper pool or plant protectors will be | | | | China and Japan. |
| needed to keep them from eating the Anacharis. | | | | Koi Pictures |
| The rock and gravel Koi pond technology has | | | | Koi fish are claimed to have reached 2 meters (6 |
| been revolutionized with the Back Flushable | | | | feet) in length, and the oldest to have reached |
| Waterfall Filtration systems. Most modern Koi are | | | | the age of 230 years, passed down from |
| considered special if they reach 1 meter in length, | | | | generation to generation. My focus is on how to |
| and average age from 40 to 60years. Hybrid Koi | | | | keep Koi fish happy and healthy. Some koi and |
| Pond Kits that will reshape the pond and waterfall | | | | goldfish foods are packed with inexpensive fillers |
| construction industry. | | | | that add no true nutritional value. These |
| Koi Carp | | | | magnificent and often expensive fish have inspired |
| National interest for Koi in Japan increased | | | | a fanatical following, with collectors prepared to |
| tremendously when Emperor Hirohito was | | | | devote a lot of time and resources to creating a |
| presented Koi for the Imperial Palace moat in | | | | flourishing Koi pond. Part of it is that goldfish have |
| 1914. Koi are omnivorous so they need both an | | | | a higher height to length ratio than koi. The pond |
| amount of protein and carbohydrates in their diet. | | | | pump must be the most reliable piece of koi |
| Koi come in many colors, varieties, and kinds, so it | | | | keeping equipment. If it is necessary to handle koi, |
| is likely that everyone in the world can find at | | | | they should be netted with soft hand nets and |
| least one type of Koi that would suit their likes. | | | | lifted with wet hands. Most koi start out one color |
| Scientists in Japan have developed a koi robot | | | | without whiskers, the colors will form by six to |
| that swishes around in water just like the real, | | | | eight weeks, whiskers will follow. The markings |
| fishy thing. Koi are beautiful members of the carp | | | | and patterns of koi are their most important |
| family. Keeping Koi carp within a pond | | | | feature. |