Koi, the most popular fresh water pond fish and can be found all over the world. They have a variety of colors and they live a very long life. Recently a Koi died who was 226 years old making a Koi a great choice for many ponds.
Koi are Japanese carp. Koi is actually Japanese for the species. Koi were first domesticated around 1820 in Japan. This deliberate breeding has led to a variety of patterns and colors. They range in color from white to black, with a whole rainbow in between. Since the color of Koi is affected by their diet and their environment, it took a long time to identify and select the criteria for developing a stunning array of colors.
Koi are generally social. They co-habitate with other breeds of fish so long as those breeds are not prone to eating the Koi. While they generally do not exhibit schooling behavior, if they are put into a small pond they may appear to do so. In larger ponds they often break up into smaller groups.
The health of the fish depends upon the amount of space that Koi fish owners provide their fish. The quality of the water is the single most important factor when it comes to the health of Koi fish. Since they are more expensive then goldfish which is another very popular pond fish, they can be harder to replace. They are cold water fish and therefore do best in water temperatures that are between 61 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Because Koi can grow to be a large fish, they require and thrive in ponds with five hundred gallons of water or more. If you decide to house smaller Koi in a pond, pay close attention to how big they get. At this time you can make the pond bigger, replace the size of the pond entirely, or give your larger fish away and replace them with smaller Koi. It is important to keep the number of fish you have in the pond relative to the amount of water that the pond holds.
As these spectacular fish take to colder water more favorably, they may be kept outside your home during the winter. Thier pond should be deeper than three feet. As the winter temperatures begin their decline, Koi commence their winter hibernation, during which their digestive systems gradually come to a halt. It is sometimes possible for food in their stomachs to grow rancid, possibly causing the fish to become sick. Because of this, Koi should not be fed in temperatures less than fifty degrees Fahrenheit.
As the rippling water flows in the outdoor pond, it becomes a very relaxing atmosphere. However, that is only one great feature to have in an outdoor pond; another is the ornamental fish the Koi. Owners of these fish find themselves extremely lucky. These fish touch the world of their owners and brighten up their everyday lives.
