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How Do Koi Get Their Beautiful Colors?

First of all, take a look at the short video I just made showing some of the beautiful koi colors!

It is hard to believe that all of the dazzling colors that we see in koi today started with the common carp!

The history of koi; from their humble beginnings through years of selective breeding by the Japanese is fascinating and has turned them into the btilliantly colored, ornamental fish that we see decorating many ponds today!

If you would like to know more about koi colors,  koi care and how to build and take care of your very own beautiful, tranquil koi pond, the ebook “Koi Care Basics” is full of useful and interesting information for the beginning koi hobbyist as well as those with established ponds.

Grab your copy today to get it at the discount price and lock in the valuable free bonuses too!

Alan Deacon
KoiCareBasics.com

Water Koi, otherwise known as Koi or Nishikigoi, require proper care. Sometimes these vibrant fish become more lethargic and less playful than they usually are. This is when they need extra care.

Water Koi are known as one of the oldest species of fish and they can live to over a hundred years old but they are also considered among most delicate species of fish. These brightly colored creatures need special care. But if you do not know how to care for Koi don’t worry! It is not very difficult. To take proper care of them, you must pay attention to their maintenance.

Also known as Cyprinus Carpio, these ornamental varieties of Common Carp are known as symbols of love and friendship. These native Japanese fish are available in multiple colors including white, black, red, yellow, blue, cream and silver. Koi are slightly bigger than Goldfish and to take care of them, you need to be just as cautious as you are when taking care of Goldfish.

The preliminary steps of caring for your Water Koi include proper cleaning of your pond. In order to know how to properly care for your fish you need to be knowledgeable about Koi pond maintenance.

Your pond should be filled with water at all times and it should be both aerated and filtered.

Any sudden changes in temperature can cause problems for your Koi, thus you should monit\or your water temperature closely. These temperature changes stress your fish and cause suppression of their immune systems.

Debris in your pond must also be removed on a regular basis. You should keep the water as clear as possible. To maintain this clarity the filter should be cleaned daily.

You need to get special pellets to feed your Koi fish. These pellets contain all the essential ingredients that are important to keep the fish healthy, happy and active. They should usually be fed twice a day. (although this depends on temperature/season).

Other measures of  Water Koi care include gentle handling of your fish. These fish are very delicate so you need to be quite attentive and handle them very carefully.

Koi are covered with a protective slime. This slime should not be stripped. It helps protect them from fungus and bacterial diseases.

You must keep your other pets away from the pond, as the bright colors of Koi fish attract dogs and cats. These pets can easily make a meal of your prized Koi. Racoons and herons are also common pond predators that will enjoy making a tasty snack out of your fish!

Nets, motion detectors and even decoys can help to protect your Koi and having pond plants helps by giving them a place to hide.

You must remember that as your Koi grow they need more oxygen. They can get to be quite large so don’t be tempted to fill your pond with too many fish if you purchase them when they are smaller. Overcrowding creates a variety of problems in your pond.

Even though there is much more to learn these are some of the most effective measures of Water Koi care.

Alan Deacon
KoiCareBasics.com

Koi care is actually fairly simple and can be easily managed by exercising a little forethought. Creating a relaxing environment with your Koi pond can add to your quality of life as well. Their brilliant colors and agreeable maners make the Koi fish very enjoyable and soothing to have around.

The Beautiful Silver Koi Fish

It is important to pay attention to how big your Koi get; especially if you decide to start with a smaller pond. They can get to be quite large and thrive best in ponds with 500 gallons or more. If your fish get too large you should either trade them in for smaller fish or create a new pond.

Koi stay healthier in a larger environment and you need to stay aware of how many fish you keep relative to how much water you have in your pond.

Water quality is the most important factor in Koi care. Keep the water moving with a quality pump and have it flowing through a filter to remove the waste produced by the fish.

The Koi is a cold water fish and enjoy water temperatures of between 61 and 75 degrees Farenheit. Year round climate temperatures are also an important consideration.

Koi fish thrive in colder water and can be left outside in the winter. Three feet deep is the minimum depth for any Koi pond. The Koi will start their winter hibernation as the temperatures outside go down. When the hibernation process begins their digestive system comes to a halt. Food left over in their system can become rancid.

Because of, this 50 degrees is the cutoff point. Koi fish should not be fed when the temperature of the water is 50 degrees and below.

The Japanese began breeding the common carp in the early 1800′s. As a matter of fact the word “Koi” comes from the Japanese word for carp.

They found that the environment and diet play an important role in the color of the Koi fish. Silver, black, white, orange, red, green and blue are all colors that have been noted in these fish. They also exhibit many beautiful patterns as well. The Japanese breeders showed extreme patience when developing the breed, taking into account all the factors that affect the Koi.

Koi aren’t necessarily a “schooling” fish although they are very social. They get along well with all breeds as long as the others are big enough not to get eaten! The Koi is an omnivore, meaning that meat,as well as vegetation, is fair game to them.

If the pond is small the Koi may seem to group together, but they will stay by themselves or in small groups if the pond is larger.

Koi can be found swimming in over 1 million ponds worldwide making them one of the most popular freshwater pond fish. The oldest aged Koi fish ever recorded was 226 years old. They can also be trained to eat out of your hand. Because of their brilliant colors, easy care and pleasing disposition the Koi is a quality choice for any outdoor pond!

For more information about Koi care and other aspects of the Koi hobby visit KoiCareBasics.com

I would also love to hear any interesting Koi tips or Koi information if anyone would like to share!

Alan Deacon