▷ Japan Koi | All information and details

Datasheet Japan Koi

Latin name:
Cyprinus carpio

Trade name:
Japan Koi or just Koi

order name:
Common carp (Cypriniformes)

Family:

Carp fish (Cyprinidae)

Genus:

Cyprinus

Origin:
unexplained, probably Iran and then further bred in East Asia

Size (in cm:

50-90cm

pond size

Info:

permanent keeping in the aquarium is not possible

pond size:
at least 10 m²

pond depth:

about 2 m

Content in litres:

1000 liters of water per fish

water values

Temperature:
optimally 20 °C

pH:

7-8

GH:

at least 8, ideally 12

CH:

at least 5, ideally 8

behavior/stocking

Area:
Pond should be 1/3 shaded and 2/3 sunny; Hiding places advantageous because the Koi tends to sunburn

Lining:
commercially available feed pellets, flakes or sticks especially for koi; predominantly proteinaceous, preferably live food: insects, crabs, shrimps, molluscs; Plant food is also popular

Behave:
Schooling fish, very greedy, plucks plants

Number:
at least 10 fish

Life expectancy:

up to 60 years, sometimes older

socialization:

no

Difficulty level:
experience an advantage

Japan’s koi are also available directly online in a variety of forms. Here we recommend Garnelio with a good selection.*

Asturio Cantabrio, Ojiya Nishikigoi no Sato ac (3), CC BY-SA 4.0

The koi is one of the most popular fish species in the pond. Its dazzling colors, stately size and trusting behavior make it exciting for many fish lovers. Especially for those interested in breeding, it is fun and at the same time a challenge to emphasize and maintain the special features of the Japan Koi.

Originally, the colorful fish are the ordinary ones carp. The special breeding form of the koi is based on genetic mutations and the selection of the offspring by human hands.

gender differences

A reliable determination of the sex is only possible when the fish reaches sexual maturity at around 2 to 3 years of age has. But even then it is not easy to distinguish the male Koi from the female.

Females are often a little rounder due to the spawning attachment they carry inside. However, the characteristic alone is not sufficient for a gender distinction. It has proven itself, the animal in addition to the pectoral fins to scan. If the fins feel rough, it is a female. The male’s are smoother.

He can continue anal slit of the animals provide information about the gender. In the female, this is significantly larger and curved outwards. The shape is reminiscent of a «T». Males have a narrower, inward anal slit.

breed

Breeding the Japanese Koi is an art in itself. It is not necessarily difficult to get offspring. The difficulty for many is that to select juveniles. This is an unpleasant, but absolutely necessary measure to preserve the beauty of the Japan Koi.

With pure breeding for reproduction, the characteristics of the koi would already recede after a few generations. The characteristics of the common carp quickly come to the fore.

If you decide to breed anyway, you have to sexually mature female and male initially separated from the rest of the group. For optimal offspring, the breeder chooses a pair of the same koi species and watch out for one intensive, clear color drawing.

The parent animals are transferred to a separate container, which should be clean and set up with the optimal water parameters. At temperatures above 20°C the female is encouraged to spawn. However, she is quite picky about where she lays her eggs. Artificial «spawning grass» has proven to be the best.

It is gladly accepted and not eaten up. After spawning, the male passes his semen over the spawn and uses it to fertilize the eggs. Now the parents should definitely be taken out of the tank again, because otherwise they will eat their brood and later the young animals.

rearing

Hatch after about 4 days several hundred larvae from the eggs. In the beginning they can still take care of themselves through their yolk sac. Only when this is still about a third full does it become necessary to offer food.

Since the young animals only measure about 3-4 mm, the food must be correspondingly small. Plankton is a good feed to start with. If the offspring gets bigger, you can special rearing food for koi be switched out of the trade.

The young animals are optimally cared for in this way. Now, at the latest, it will be necessary to separate from genetically weak young animals.

socialization

Japan koi are very sociable fish. A swarm should be out at least ten animals consist. This is the only way for them to feel comfortable and show their natural behavior. Socializing with each other is possible without any problems.

However, if other animals are to enter the pond, caution is advised. Crustaceans and mollusks quickly end up in the fish’s mouth. A socialization will therefore not succeed in the long term.

Keeping the koi in a pond with other species of fish can work. It should be noted, however, that the fish same claims have. In addition, the entire stock should tolerate the medication used in the event of an illness. Ideally, you hold it Koi only among conspecifics.