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Article #221: How to Keep Koi Carp

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Though very often an expensive and vexing unusual fins or scale patterns. Koi
hobby, keeping koi is also very relaxing, purists do not consider these actual koi.
beautiful, enviable and the hobby of a There were once only a few colours, but
lifetime. Many people who invest in koi with the pace of breeding development
find they catch a fever of excitement (and the financial incentive to do so)
that leads them to keep trying to find several new colours have emerged in the
that perfect fish. last 30 years with the injection of new
Not surprisingly fanciers range from the material. These colours are arranged in
most simple of backyard ponds to tens of in a seemingly infinite variety of
thousands of litre ponds with hundreds of combinations.
fish and breeding programs. The fact Markings are judged from above in
that very well conforming specimens can special, bright blue pools that set off
fetch thousands and thousands of dollars the bright, metallic colours. Outside of
is not surprising. Japan the colours are known by their
For the backyard koi keeper, however, names in Japanese as well as the local
simply having a good reason to have a language, since so much of the literature
waterfall might be enough. There is no is translated from the original Japanese.
right or wrong reason, only the desire of For instance, colours include:
all to have healthy and happy fish. Ai - blue Aka / Hi  red, though actually
There are over a hundred different types a rather dark orange that can vary
of koi registered for show in somewhat Asagi - light blue (a greyish
professional breeder and amateur clubs silvery blue) Ki - non-metallic yellow
throughout Japan and the world, though Orengi - orange Shiro - white Sumi - dark
new varieties are still largely shown in black (sometimes called "india ink")
Japan. They tend to have something of a metallic
Koi may be generally grouped according to sheen unless otherwise noted. Generally
and in combinations of:skin colour skin these distinctions apply across the board
pattern scale pattern and describe both underlying and overlaid
Whichever you consider most important or colours. Additionally, there are a few
if you have your heart set on a very distinct colour patterns that have
particular fish, there is one for every special names:
taste. In more than 16 categories, now, Kohaku - red and white only Ogon - one
there are over a hundred types of koi and colour only Sanshoku - any three colours
an infinity of variety in each type. regardless of the shape of the coloured
True koi are always judged from from areas
above, and their ponds are designed to Just about any koi can be classified into
facilitate this. From this angle, one one of the many types. However, most
judges the conformity and harmony of the fish you'll be looking at as a first time
design depending upon which type of koi koi buyer fall into a few basic
you're looking at. That said, some categories. Many of the fish sold in the
characteristics are considered from the US and EU are those who've been rejected
side such as the markings on the eyes and from breeding programs that are in
and cheeks. continual pursuit of the perfect koi.
On the other hand, many people who keep Just because it doesn't conform to the
koi hybrids choose to view them from the accepted standard of show beauty doesn't
side as well, especially those with mean they are not unique and beautiful.






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