Fishkeeping Series: Koi

This is a series of articles with clear, simple parameters on how to keep fish. Hope you enjoy our bite sized, quick to read posts about your potential fishy buddies. For more information on specific species of fish, feel free to drop us a message.

Name: Koi, Ornamental version of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), bred and kept originally from Japan

Why keep them: Vibrant colors, intelligent, absolutely beautiful and classy. 

Aquarium type: Heavily planted outdoor pond

Temperament

Peaceful

Colors

Yellow, red, white, silver, gold, blue

Lifespan

30- 50 Years (Longest living Koi was 226 years old!)

Size

60-90 centimetres

Diet

Plants and meat

Minimum Tanks Size

950 litres (per fish)

Temperature

23-30 degrees Celsius

Filter

Clean pond and check filter once every 2-4 weeks

pH

6-9

Water change

Water flow not necessary, may add small stream or waterfall

Good tank buddies

Other carp, game fish and amphibians (watch out for disease of frogs from pet shop)

Bad with

Bluegills, small cyprinids

Important notes:

  • You may add crushed limestone to maintain pH
  • Your pond should be made from concrete, with a rubber lining and muddy bottom substrate.
  • Setup: Outdoor water garden, complete with non-invasive plants that will not damage your natural ecosystem (water hyacinth, water lilies, cattails, floating pondweed)
  • Pond should be at least 1.8 metres deep with shallow and deep areas

FUN FACT:  As they are intelligent, koi can recognize their owners as well as be trained like cats or dogs.

Fishyhub offers a decent variety of fish and aquarium-scaping items for you to start off your experience. We want to provide for every one of our customers the chance to build their own adventure at home, and enjoy this wonderful hobby.  Have a nice day and stay tuned with us for more fishy news and information!

Image and information credits:

https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/koi-fish/

https://www.totalpond.com/blog/koi-fish-fun-facts

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