What are Koi?

According to Wikipedia

The word koi comes from Japanese, simply meaning “carp”. It includes both the dull grey fish and the brightly colored varieties. What are known as koi in English are referred to more specifically as nishikigoi in Japan (literally meaning “brocaded carp”). In Japanese, koi is a homophone for another word that means “affection” or “love”; koi are, therefore, symbols of love and friendship in Japan. An example of this can be seen in the short story by Mukōda Kuniko, “Koi-san”. The koi is also an often

A picture of the kohaku in my pond. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

recurring symbol in Irezumi, the Japanese art of traditional tattooing.^[11]

Koi Varieties

Koi varieties are judged by their colors, patterns and types of scales. Color include white, black, red, yellow, blue, and cream. While color combinations are virtually endless, some varieties are much more desirable to koi fanciers, especially Gosanke, which includes the Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku, and Showa Sanshoku varieties.

Koi breeders are constantly developing new varieties, including hybrids with other types of koi.

Ghost koi developed in the 1980s have become very popular in the United Kingdom; they are a hybrid of wild carp and Ogon koi, and are distinguished by their metallic scales.

Butterfly koi (also known as longfin koi, or dragon carp), also developed in the 1980s, are notable for their long and flowing fins. They are hybrids of koi with Asian carp.

Some experts do not consider butterfly koi and ghost koi to be true nishikigoi.

8 year old Kohaku (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Shōwa Sanshoku (or Showa Sanke), a black koi with red and white markings. The first Showa Sanke was shown in 1927, during the reign of the Showa Emperor. In America, the variety is often called just “Showa”. The amount of shiroji on Showa Sanke has increased in modern times (Kindai Showa), to the point that it can be difficult to distinguish from Taisho Sanke.

Tanchō is any koi with a solitary red patch on its head. The fish may be a Tancho Showa, Tancho Sanke, or even Tancho Goshiki. It is named for the Japanese crane (Grus japonensis), which also has a red spot on its head.

Chagoi, “tea-colored”, this koi can range in color from pale olive-drab green or brown to copper or bronze and more recently, darker, subdued orange shades. Famous for its docile, friendly personality and large size, it is considered a sign of good luck among koi keepers.

Asagi koi is light blue above and usually red below, but also occasionally pale yellow or cream, generally below the lateral line and on the cheeks. The Japanese name means pale greenish-blue, spring onion colour, or indigo. Sometimes it is incorrectly written as light yellow.

Utsurimono is a black koi with a white, red, or yellow markings in a zebra pattern. The oldest documented form is the yellow, called “black and white markings” in the 19th century, but renamed Ki Utsuri by Elizaburo Hoshino, an early 20th-century koi breeder. The red and white versions are called Hi Utsuri and Shiro Utsuri. The word utsuri means to print (the black markings are reminiscent of ink stains). Genetically, it is the same as Showa, but lacking either red pigment (Shiro Utsuri) or white pigment (Hi Utsuri/Ki Utsuri).

Bekko is a white-, red-, or yellow-skinned koi with black markings sumi. The Japanese name means “tortoise shell.” The white, red, and yellow varieties are called Shiro Bekko, Aka Bekko and Ki Bekko, respectively. It may be confused with the Utsuri.

Goshiki is a dark koi with red (Kohaku style) hi pattern. The Japanese name means “five colours”. It appears similar to an Asagi, with little or no hi below the lateral line and a Kohaku Hi pattern over reticulated (fishnet pattern) scales. The base color can range from nearly black to very pale, sky blue.

Shūsui means “autumn green”; the Shūsui was created in 1910 by Yoshigoro Akiyama, by crossing Japanese Asagi with German mirror carp. The fish has no scales, except for a single line of large mirror scales dorsally, extending from head to tail. The most common type of Shūsui have a pale, sky-blue/gray color above the lateral line and red or orange (and very, very rarely bright yellow) below the lateral line and on the cheeks.

Kinginrin is a koi with metallic (glittering, metal-flake-appearing) scales. The name translates into English as “gold and silver scales”; it is often abbreviated to Ginrin. There are Ginrin versions of almost all other varieties of koi, and they are fashionable. Their sparkling, glittering scales contast to the smooth, even, metallic skin and scales seen in the Ogon varieties. Recently, these characteristics have been combined to create the new ginrin Ogon varieties.

Kawarimono is a “catch-all” term for koi do not fit in any other categories. This is a competition category, and many new varieties of koi compete in this one category. It is also known as kawarigoi.

Ōgon is a metallic koi of one color only (hikarimono). The most commonly encountered colors are gold, platinum, and orange. Cream specimens are very rare. Ogon compete in the Kawarimono category and the Japanese name means “gold.” The variety was created by Sawata Aoki in 1946 from wild carp he caught in 1921. Recently, the metallic-skinned Ogon is being crossed with ginrin-scaled fish to create the ginrin Ogon with metallic skin and sparkling (metal flake) scales.

Kumonryū（literally “nine tattooed dragons”) is a black doitsu-scaled fish with curling white markings. The patterns are thought to be reminiscent of Japanese ink paintings of dragons. They famously change colour with the seasons. Kumonryu compete in the Kawarimono category.

Ochiba is a light blue/gray koi with copper, bronze, or yellow (Kohaku-style) pattern, reminiscent of autumn leaves on water. The Japanese name means “fallen leaves”.

Koromo  is a white fish with a Kohaku-style pattern with blue or black-edged scales only over the hi pattern. This variety first arose in the 1950s as a cross between a Kohaku and an Asagi. The most commonly encountered Koromo is an Ai Goromo, which is coloured like a Kohaku, except each of the scales within the red patches has a blue or black edge to it. Less common is the Budo-Goromo, which has a darker (burgundy) hi overlay that gives it the appearance of bunches of grapes. Very rarely seen is the Tsumi-Goromo which is similar to Budo-Goromo, but the hi pattern is such a dark burgundy that it appears nearly black.

Hikari-moyomono is a koi with coloured markings over a metallic base or in two metallic colours.

Kikokuryū（literally “sparkle” or “glitter black dragon”) is a metallic-skinned version of the Kumonryu.

Kin-Kikokuryū（literally “gold sparkle black dragon” or “gold glitter black dragon”) is a metallic-skinned version of the Kumonryu with a Kohaku-style hi pattern developed by Mr. Seiki Igarashi of Ojiya City. There are (at least) six different genetic subvarieties of this general variety.

Ghost koi is a hybrid of Ogon and wild carp with metallic scales. It  is considered by some not to be nishikigoi.

Butterfly koi is a hybrid of koi and Asian carp with long flowing fins. Various colorations depend on the koi stock used to breed it. It also is considered by some not to be nishikigoi.

Doitsu-goi was made by crossbreeding numerous different established varieties with “scaleless” German carp (generally, fish with only a single line of scales along each side of the dorsal fin). There are four main types of Doitsu scale patterns.

The most common has a row of scales beginning at the front of the dorsal fin and ending at the end of the dorsal fin (along both sides of the fin).

The second type has a row of scales beginning where the head meets the shoulder and running the entire length of the fish (along both sides).

The third type is the same as the second, with the addition of a line of (often quite large) scales running along the lateral line (along the side) of the fish, also referred to as “mirror koi“.

The fourth (and rarest) type is referred to as “armor koi” and are completely (or nearly) covered with very large scales that resemble plates of armor. They also are called Kagami-goi, or mirror carp.

Related articles

• What You Need to Know Before Buying Koi (koiwaterpeace.com)
• 4 Easy Steps to Perfect Koi Keeping (koiwaterpeace.com)
• Zen Garden – Koi Pond (koiwaterpeace.com)
• Koi Supplies (siliconvalleylatinoleadership.com)

Getting away from it all doesn’t have to mean giving up everything you know and love. I was afraid I would be unhappy moving out of the city but knew it was the best thing for my family. I wanted my kids to be able to grow up playing outside getting to experience nature and all it has to offer. With satellite internet service I get the best of both worlds! All of those specialty items I was worried about missing are still available online and that’s where I now do most of my shopping! There’s no longer a need to spend a day in different stores looking for one or two items. All I have to do is an internet search and I can find exactly what I want in seconds. With a click of the mouse, it’s ordered and I am outside enjoying nature with the kids, not just watching them or hearing about it. So far it’s been the best thing that we could have done and better than I ever would have imagined!

Those of us who love them know that they have different personalities and can be a lot of fun. I used to have two koi that lived in my bedroom and would throw water onto my feet to wake me up to feed them.

But when most people think of pets, they think of cats and dogs. Or maybe rabbits or cockatiels—pets that are more likely to get loose and be hard to find or catch.

One good thing about koi is that they seldom wander away. If they disappear from your outdoor pond, something probably ate them. Cats and dogs, though, are more mobile.

Cats, dogs, rabbits and other pets can get lost at any time—and they often do. I’ve heard stories of cats falling asleep in truck beds and having to find their way home from many miles away—or just escaping outside the vet’s office. Sadly they are often never found.

I used to have a very shy cat who would get outside whenever possible and then not come home for days. It was horrible. Every single time, I thought he was gone forever. I would put up flyers, check with the pound and shelters, and walk the neighborhood late at night calling his name.

But you don’t have to do that if  your pet disappears. Things are better now.

Now there is a great service, though, called Amber Alert for Pets, that can instantly mobilize a lot of people in your community to keep an eye out for little Fluffy or Fido. This is the place to call when your pet gets out and will not come home no matter how you search and call and call around your neighborhood. This is much better than just putting up flyers that the right people may not see.

So if you have a chicago lost dog, for example, this service could make all the difference between getting him or her back safe and sound—or not. Sign up your pet right away and keep the phone number handy, because you never know when you will need it. And if your pet gets lost, there is no need to panic. Amber Alert for Pets can help you get them back.

Image via Wikipedia

You have successfully built your Koi pond.  You have spent weeks, perhaps even months waiting with intense anticipation for the moment to come when you would actually buy Koi fish.  Before doing so, however, it is important that you are aware of some basic guidelines for selecting and buying Koi fish.

First, you must be aware that not all Koi fish are equal; not even those that belong to the same variety.  This will become evident when you buy Koi for the first time and you notice a wide range of prices for Koi fish.  The key factors that are used to distinguish individual Koi fish are size, grade and age.  Koi fish prices can range widely.  It is possible to find specimens in the $40-$50 range, just as it is possible to find others selling for tens of thousands of dollars.

Although there are exceptions, it can generally be stated that smaller sized Koi will be available for a much lower price than larger specimens.  The smaller Koi are usually 3″ to 6″.  Above that, size classifications include specimens measuring 6″-8″, 8″-10″, 10″-12″, 12″-14″, 16″+ and so on, until reaching fully grown Koi surpassing 2 feet.

Likewise, the grade of the specimen is also reflected in the price.  When you buy Koi fish, you must ask yourself what exactly it is that you wish to obtain from the fish.  This may sound like a simple question.  Your initial impulse might be to answer that you want a majestic animal to grace you with its beauty.  To some degree, all Koi owners could include that in their answer, but in order to determine which grade of Koi is best for you, it is important to identify underlying and ancillary expectations for your Koi pond.

Koi fish are classified as either Pond Grade, Ornamental Grade or Show Grade.  Remember, all Koi fish are technically members of the same species.  They are all Common Carp; however, much as the domesticated dog has been selectively bred to develop desired characteristics among different dog breeds, so to is the case with the breeding of different varieties of Koi fish.  It can help to draw another correlation from this analogy.  View a Pond Grade Koi as a mutt, while a Show Grade Koi is your pure bred show dog.  Just as one would expect to pay an enormous sum of money for a pedigreed dog of prized lineage and one would pay next to nothing for rescuing a mutt from an animal shelter, so too is the monetary difference when you buy Koi of different grades.

Pond Grade Koi are normally bred by hobbyists, they are sometimes sold informally, and their breeders may lack some of the quality control mechanisms to ensure healthy specimens; but they are also the cheapest of the bunch.  It cannot be said that you should completely avoid Pond Grade Koi when considering to buy Koi fish.  If your plans for your Koi pond are limited and you are not looking to invest too much money in populating your pond, Pond Grade Koi can be a good choice.  Just keep in mind that Pond Grade Koi will likely never develop the bright full coloration of their higher grade cousins and that they may also be prone to ailments or diseases not found in the higher grades.

Ornamental Grade Koi are those bred to display good coloration and markings.  They are commercially bred and are not intended to participate in Koi competitions, but they are the best entry level Koi for most first-time Koi ponders.

Show Grade Koi as the name implies are the upper-class elite of Koi.  They are also priced accordingly.  Unless you plan on participating in Koi competitions or breeding the next generation of Show Grade Koi, these specimens may be well out of the range of the average Koi pond enthusiast.

Of course, regardless of the size or grade of Koi that you purchase, remember to follow the same rules that are used when buying any fish.  Before you buy Koi check out the dealer or pet shop from where you intend to purchase it.  Preferably, observe the fish for a few weeks.  Avoid specimens which seem sickly, pale or that do not display an appetite.  If you buy Koi fish online, check out Koi forums and determine what reputation that online dealer has.  Also, ascertain what, if any, DOA policy the online dealer has in place prior to making any payment.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/what-you-need-to-know-before-buying-koi-4166666.html

About the Author

Jason Williams is an expert on Koi Fish and their habitat. If you want to learn more about Buying Koi Fish, you can visit his website at http://www.learnkoifish.com for helpful tips on setting up, maintaining and caring for both your Koi Pond and the Koi fish that inhabit it.

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When we moved here I was really concerned about forgetting something. After our last move it took me three weeks to remember that though I’d turned on the power at the new house I’d neglected to shut it down at the old one – we had tons of bills to catch up on. I made a list this time and stuck to it: I called all the utility companies and even the new ones (we were getting hughes net at the new house as well as satellite TV) and I dealt with the movers as things came up so I wouldn’t have to worry about it later. I felt really ready to do it, to be honest with you, and even the kids were helpful when the packing started. I love being a mom and staying at home but things like a big move somehow always end up on my plate. There’s something to be said for not having to do everything but you know, at least I had total control over it this way!

Koi pond in Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden in Zilker Park, Austin, Texas. Image via Wikipedia

Step 1- Set up the Ideal Pond Environment

Your koi pond is to be the perfect ecosystem for your koi to grow and breed.  It should be aesthetically beautiful and able to sustain koi life at the same time.  As such there are some important factors to take into consideration.  The first is location.  Location does affect water temperature which in turn affects your koi.  As far as possible, have your pond located in a shady area but not where lots of leaves can fall into it.

The second factor to consider is your pond’s size.  For koi ponds, the bigger is always better. Koi have a habit of growing rather fast, so you have to consider pond size at the same time you as you consider how many koi you are going to put into it.  Overcrowding your koi pond with too many fish (some people breed other types of fishes with their koi) is a bad idea.  Overcrowding will stress you koi and lead to illness and eventually death in some cases.  

The final thing to consider is the type of koi pond you wish to have.  There are basically four types of ponds – concrete, rigid plastic, fiberglass and flexible pond liners.  Each has its pros and cons.  You can either engage a professional koi pond builder or try to install and build your pond by yourself.

Unless you experienced in outdoor landscaping, fish keeping and pond construction, it may be a good idea to leave the pond building to a professional.  Trying to save money by building it yourself may actually waste money if things go wrong.  Besides that, if your pond is not properly setup, you may not even be able to keep your koi alive.

However, when you hire a professional, you ultimately call the shots.  Therefore, you should not blame them if your pond fails due to location, size or other factors. When choosing which builder to engage, beware of extremely cheap quotes as they may cut corners that could potentially cause you problems later.  While quotes will differ, there should not be a very huge difference between them.

Finally, you must have the proper filtration systems in place to ensure a healthy pond environment for you koi..

Step 2- Choose Good Koi

Once you have created the perfect environment, you will need to start looking into buying your koi fish. It is important to remember never to purchase too many Koi because they will grow rather large, and they breed almost yearly.  Overpopulating your Koi pond will cause serious problems in the future.

Always choose your koi based on how healthy they look, how gracefully they swim, how deep the colors are on their bodies and whether their bodies are stable when not swimming.  All these factors indicate good and strong koi.

Step 3- Properly Care for Koi

Learn as much as you possibly can about koi keeping before starting this exciting hobby.

It is important to learn the information yourself rather then relying on other sources.  People such as your pet shop owner and pond builder will have limited knowledge but should not be trusted for a reliable source, as they are selling the koi and may be bias.  Furthermore, once you are at home with your Koi, they are not available to help you in the event of a problem.

Once you have bought your first koi, you need to feed your koi daily.  You should check with your local pet store or Koi dealer when it comes to the amount and types of food that you should be feeding your fish. Koi feeding patterns change with season and temperature. The staple diet of adult koi would normally be koi pellets that you can buy from pet shops.  But make sure the size of pellets is small enough for the smallest koi to feed on.  Also I recommend you buy those that float rather than those that sink to the bottom.  This makes it easier to remove left over pellets from the surface of your pond.

Koi can be fed treats such as fruit, veggies, bread etc.  They can also be trained to eat directly from your hand. This is one of the most gratifying things about keeping koi.

Step 4- Prevent Common Koi Pond Problems

You can prevent certain types of Koi pond problems by following simple prevention steps.

Always quarantine new fish before introducing them to your current koi population.  Koi can have certain illnesses and viruses, such as KHV or Koi Herpes Virus, with little or no showing symptoms.  By quarantining, you will greatly reduce the risk of exposing your population to potentially deadly situations.

Do water tests at least on a weekly basis.  This will allow you to notice discrepancies in the test results long before your pond starts showing symptoms of stress.  This iwill potentially save not only your pond, but your fish as well.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/4-easy-steps-to-perfect-koi-keeping-979251.html

About the Author

Finding good and current information on keeping koi can be difficult at times.

One of the best resources we have found where you can sign up for a FREE 10 day mini course is The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Koi.

Lots of us like tools such as knives anyway. Some are necessities, some are just interesting, and some are fun. I remember loving tiny, miniature pocket knives as a child. All my male relatives carried pocket knives in those days, and kept them honed sharp. I say how they came in handy many times.

Nowadays we have access to all kinds of great tools that were not stocked in small town hardware stores in the old days. You can order the coolest things on line at sites like Knife Depot.

One example is the spyderco knife. Spyderco knives come in a variety of sizes and styles for various purposes.

Unique designs and quality materials and workmanship make them prized by police officers, firefighters and emergency workers, and others for whose lives may depend on having quality knives. Knife collectors also love them for their unusual look.

Would James Bond carry a Spyderco knife? I bet he would.

Or maybe he would carry a Boker knife. The collection includes throwing knives, knives that a spy could easily hid under a designer suit or a wetsuit, utility knives, carving knives, pocket knives, bowie knives, hunting knives, and knives for collectors—among others. Boker is a German company that has been making precision, quality knives since 1869.

I’m sure 007 would be well supplied with top quality knives for every occasion. That means he would be bound to also have a Gerber knife. Gerber carbon steel knives include machetes, zip knives, pocket knives and other wicked blades made for special purposes as well as for general use.

Lucky for those of us who are not engaged in international espionage, we, too, can own all these excellent knives.

After all, koi fanciers and pond owners need good tools, don’t we?

This Pond kit is the ideal backyard pond system for family enjoyment. Comes in 2 plastic parts – a 2ft. x 3ft. cascade unit and a 39-1/2 in. L x 29.0 in.W x 11 in .D pre-formed pond. Includes 200 GPH energy-efficient pump with filter, 1 water conditioners, tubing for cascade, starter bacteria and instructions. Easy to install. GPH: 200, Volts: 110, Cord Length (ft.): 10, Tube Size (in.): 1/2, Length (ft.): 8, Dimensions L x W x H (ft., in.): 39 1/2in. x 29in x 11in., Includes: 2ft. x 3ft.

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Service Kit:
Fits Laguna Pressure-Flo 1400/5000
*Laguna Pressure-Flo Filter not

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