The history and origin of koi carp
The Koi carp, symbol of strength and love and represents the power of Japan, is the result of crossbreeding carried out in Japan for several decades. The Hiroshima region has the largest number of Koi carp farms.
This fish, which can live up to 100 years, is bred only for outdoor ponds and large aquariums. The value of this carp is due to drastic selection (less than 1% are considered suitable) and permanent quality controls to prevent diseases such as koi herpes (very contagious, which can infect an entire pond in a very short time). of time). The price of the rarest specimens, with unique stains and colors, can go up to 250,000 euros.
Koi carp are social fish and enjoy the company of their peers. They are often seen swimming peacefully in groups in pools and can become very familiar with their owners, often coming to the surface to receive food or be petted. Feeding koi carp is very simple and includes commercial pond fish food, earthworms and aquatic insects… It is important not to overfeed koi carp as this can lead to health problems and disturb the ecological balance of the basin. It is at the birth of a boy that the father must buy a carp on the boy’s party on May 5th. We just buy blue paper koinobori for the boys.
The different types of Koi carp
Koi carp can reach an impressive size, up to 90 cm in length and 20 kg in weight. They have an elongated, flat body, with a broad, bifurcated caudal fin. Their coat colors vary widely, ranging from pure white to black with shades of red, yellow, blue, and green. They are considered very hardy pond fish and can survive extreme weather conditions, such as harsh winters and hot summers. They are also very tolerant to diseases and pests.
There are several varieties of Koi fish, each with distinct colors and patterns. The most popular include:
Kohaku: White with red spots
Sanke: White, red and black
Showa: Black and red with white patterns
Asagi: Pale blue with red spots on the back
Shusui: Dark blue with golden patterns
Utsuri: Black with yellow or white patterns
Bekko: Yellow, white or red with black patterns
There are many more, each with unique characteristics.
