FAQ About Koi

There are two main factors to be considered when determining the value of Koi: their shape and the way they look when viewed from above.

Koi were specifically bred to be viewed from above, as they were created to be pond fish. Koi that are for sale at aquarium shops will usually be small and displayed in tanks. A store that specializes in Koi will usually display them in ponds. This enables you to get a good view of the shape of the Koi while it is swimming.

A Koi has the ability to grow up to 40 inches in length, although a baby Koi starts out as a little fry of only about 1/16 of an inch. Some Koi are as big as a large salmon. Koi are not naturally aggressive fish, although you will some jostling about during feeding.

Koi fish do not have a true stomach, just a long belly. This means that any food that is consumed that is too much for their belly just come right out. Those who have Koi will tell you that they are always ready to eat, as there is no off switch when it comes to consumption. Koi do have teeth which are located in their jaw areas.

Koi are fairly discriminating eaters and will actually pull food into their mouth before deciding whether they really want to eat it. Food they like will go on to be chewed while anything they don’t like will just be spit out. Koi’s have two sets of barbells on each side of their months, one large set and one small set. These are feelers which operate just like they do on a catfish. Koi have big mouths which face downward, as they are bottom feeders. The design of their mouths is perfect for hunting around the bottom of the pond for food.

If a Koi is spooked or doesn’t like the water it can actually jump. In often takes a Koi quite a while to adjust to new water. Koi can actually jump right out of the water and die during the adjustment period to a new pond. A new Koi pond should always be covered with a net to prevent this from happening.

Often Koi at a show will flip around in the water and jump, a behavior called flashing. This is typically due to the change in water environment, even if the new water is of perfect quality. Sometimes jumping Koi is a sign of fish desperately trying to escape water of poor quality.

It is important to test your Koi’s water regularly to ensure that there is very little nitrate, and no ammonia or nitrite. You can pick up a simple to use water test kit at just about any aquarium shop. Flashing could also indicate the presence of parasites on the fish which are irritating their skin.

More available information to help you with your yard:
Outdoor and backyard ponds
Landscaping around your pond
Pond furniture for relaxation
Home pools
Animals and pets

Koi Food Guide.com

Koi food guide

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Disclaimers

Where to buy