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Pond   Fishes

Koi
(Cyprinus carpio)

Koi
Verified by the experts

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Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

  • None

Names

Scientific name
Cyprinus carpio

Common name
Koi
Koi carp

Origin

what are its countries of origin?

Origin: Japan
Biotope: not specific

Dimorphism

what are the physical differences between males and females?

The female is bigger and fatter than the male

Group

Group

Cyprinidae

Volume

what is the minimum volume for this species?

1.5 m or 59" depth
9000 L / 1980 imp gal / 2377 US gal
1000 L / 220 imp gal / 264 US gal for 1 fish

Parameters

what are the water parameters for the maintenance of this fish?

T°: 3 to 29°C or 37 to 84°F
pH: 6.5 to 8.5
Hardness: 10 to 15°dGH

Difficulty

Difficulty

Easy

Size

what is the maximum size of this fish?

15 to 120 cm
(6 to 47")

Longevity

what is the average Longevity of this fish?

50 years

Living zone

in which area of the pond does this fish live?

Middle and Depth

Individuals

sociability of the species

3

Food

How to feed the Koi?

Food

How to feed the Koi?

Specialty food of High quality is the staple diet of Koi carp. There are different pellets depending on the season because the carp's metabolism accelerates or decelerates depending on the temperature of the water. Its energy also needs to vary.

Adapt the size of your food according to its size and age. If you have fish of different sizes, mix pellets of different sizes so that everyone eats according to the size of their mouth.

Complete this diet with occasional meat (whole shrimp for adult carp, daphnia, gammarus, Asellus aquaticus, bloodworms and even earthworms!) and in vegetables (lettuce, kiwi, orange, watercress, Lemnoideae, garlic which is also a very good supplement because it is antiparasitic, antibiotic and revitalizing). A little Montmorillonite clay from time to time will bring a calcium benefit. You can also give whole grain bread occasionally to your carp.

Koi Carps are omnivorous and have a good appetite. They will be more fit with 2 or 3 meals a day than with a single fat one. So you can give it its daily ration in several times. If you find that an individual does not come to eat for several days in a row, it is that it isn't well (stress, illness...).

If you want to tame your carp, distribute the food always at the same place in your pool and at regular times. Put a little candy in your hand and leave it in the water without moving. Repeat the operation daily. Thus, they will get used to you and with a little time they will even eat directly in your hand!

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Koi have?

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Koi have?

Quiet and very peaceful, even nice, it is however quite active. It may also be a bit nervous when it comes into its new environment (this behavior will naturally fade over time). It can tame easily with gentleness and patience. After a while, it will rush in your direction when it sees you and you can feed it by hand and caress it...

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Koi?

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Koi?

Gregarious, they like to live in a group (although elderly people prefer to live alone). Do not combine them with smaller fish that could be swallowed accidentally.

To limit the proliferation of small animals in the water of your pool, combine fish such as Sterlet, Leuciscus idus, Tench and especially the Gobio gobio. It will also live very well with large goldfish but there is a risk of hybridization.

And why not frogs? In this case, you will not have to install a net to your pool (see "its pond"). Be careful, frogs are pretty noisy!

Breeding

How to breed the Koi?

Breeding

How to breed the Koi?

Spontaneous when the water is at 18/20°C or 64/68°F (usually May / June). There is a predation of the parents. To ensure the survival of a maximum of fry, we can provide a specific spawning pond 0.5 / 1 meter or 20 to 40 inches deep. Powerful filtration will ensure good oxygenation of the water. 3 males for 1 female over 3 years old. The female lays eggs that males subsequently fertilize. A laying may include 200 000 eggs. Remove the parents after spawning. The incubation lasts from 72h to one week.

Fry are gray, and will grow in colour. Carps grow quickly up to 3/4 years, then slow growth but do not stop, they grow up all their life.

Food fry: daphnia and specialized dry food.

Its pond

Which pond for the Koi?

Its pond

Which pond for the Koi?

Choose ponds with regular shapes (oval, round, square or rectangular) without excessive shrinkage. It also takes enough depth because the koi carp swim on all axes (length, width, depth).

Koi carps are big eaters, and therefore big polluters! You need to install a powerful filtration. However, be careful not to make the water too agitated because you could not contemplate your fish (position your rejection well). The filtration will clean the water by destroying organic waste and keep it healthy. Choose your filtration carefully according to your configuration because it will prevent your beautiful pond from becoming a swamp! A cascade system can be useful for oxygenating the water.

On the plantation side, choose plants that are emerged, half-immersed or floating. In fact, immersed plants will not resist the nibbling and uprooting of fish. For example, you can choose water lilies, water hyacinths, reeds ... The addition of plant is beneficial because they contribute to the biological filtration of water, provide hiding and shade to fish and beautify your pelvis!

Regarding the location of your pond, it is better to install it partly in the shade (at least 35% of its surface) to avoid heat stroke and the proliferation of green algae.

Also plan to install a net to protect your pond from cats and herons. A great height of water will protect your carp from cats because they will be able to hide. For the herons, they seem to be frightened by glare of bright light. Thus, you can try to arrange around your basin a saucepan or a well placed silver bowl.

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Koi carp is a variety derived from the wild species of Cyprinus Carpio (Carp). It is therefore a cousin of the goldfish. Moreover, it can hybridize with it (the hybrid offspring is sterile).

This species has been breed for more than 2000 years in China and Japan, but its true breeding did not begin until the end of the 18th century. Originally, it was called Nishikigoïs and was raised to serve food (unlike the red fish that was an ornamental fish).

It is almost impossible to meet two identical Koi Carps. Indeed, its colours and patterns vary throughout its life, sometimes changing completely. That's why when you buy koi carp, pay attention to its health rather than its appearance that will change over time. Choose a lively and active fish, with a straight spine and a large mouth.

In winter (below 8°C or 46°F), it stops feeding and its activity is reduced. This decline in activity is normal and is even beneficial for the metabolism of fish. Therefore, do not heat your pond if its water temperature stays above 3/5°C or 37/41°F.

For fun, below some pictures

  • koi carp in a pond
  • koi carp in a pond
  • koi carp in a pond
  • koi carp in a pond
  • koi carp in a pond
  • koi carp in a pond
  • koi carp in a pond
  • koi carp in a pond

Koi Carps are delineated in patterns and colours, which correspond to standard criteria. Find below an overview of the different patterns allowed:

colour illustration of the Koi
colour illustration of the Koi

Yours photos!

Image utilisateur

By Encyclo-Caro

Image utilisateur

By Encyclo-Caro

Image utilisateur

By Encyclo-Caro

Image utilisateur

By Encyclo-Caro

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