Did you know?
Since 1914 when one of these ornamental fish was displayed at an exhibition in Tokio the breeding of koi has spread well beyond Japan. Nowadays they are kept in garden ponds all over the world. Different varieties are distinguished by coloration, patterning and scalation, of which certain varieties are traded at very high prices. The word koi that is commonly used simply means carp in Japanese. For the ornamental variety, the Japanese use the word Nishikigoi (brocaded carp).
Characteristics
Classification | Order: Cypriniformes; family: Cyprinids |
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Diet | Insects, worms, aquatic plants, algae etc. |
Origin | In Japan Koi have been selectively bred as ornamental fish from wild carp (Cyprinus carpio) since 1820 |
Reproduction | Lay around 400,000 to 500,000 eggs from which young fish hatch after 4 days. |