Nishikigoi or Koi is the Japanese word for the ornamental carp. Koi was derived from the common carp. The common carp that was reared for food lacks the colour and pattern found in koi. The Chinese believe that the carp represents strength and resilience and is a symbol of prosperity. The modern koi may not be as resilient as their predecessors but their beauty and grace has charmed millions of people around the world.
Koi is a cold freshwater fish. It thrives in water that is alkaline in nature and is a voracious eater. It is special because it has beauty, charm and is extremely friendly. It can grow upto a huge size. Koi comes in many varieties. In multicoloured koi like the Kohaku, Sanke, Showa, Utsuri and others, the red (Hi) and black (Sumi) patches form patterns on the head and body, like calligraphy. These patterns are even more amazing when the colours contrast each other or against a snow white background of scales. These colours are the result of pigmentations in the scales. Such a koi is literally like a living piece of art. It feeds and grows and displays a pattern on its head and body, like a tattoo! Koi are divided into different varieties based on the distribution of these colour pigments and the patterns they form.
The koi is an extremely tame and friendly fish. Their actions have a calming effect on nerves. Swimming gracefully, diving to the bottom in search of food and surfacing when it sees you approaching with mouth open as if pleading for food and allowing you to gently stroke on it’s head is enough to please and excite anyone. Watching koi play by themselves is also a wonderful spectacle. They may be chasing each other, or just following a leader. They maybe nudging against each other while swimming or just pecking at the scales of another. Larger koi are usually more gentle. The younger and smaller ones are alittle more aggressive.
Koi grow at a fast rate if fed regularly. To see a koi grow to a huge jumbo size makes one feel a sense of achievement. Proud that one is able to bring up a small fish that was just 8cm long to one that is over 80cm long in just a short period of a few years. The larger the koi, the more imposing and striking it looks. The very thought of keeping a jumbo koi in one’s own backyard is in itself thrilling and exciting. The ultimate aim of every serious and successful koi keeper is to rear his or her koi to jumbo size. Some would go a step further by entering their koi in competitions for a chance to win trophies and gain fame.
Here is a brief introduction and some general advice for beginners to koi keeping.