koi fish facts and information specifically was known as Nishikigoi
are colored varieties of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) that are
kept for decorative purposes in outdoor, outdoor koi pond and
water gardens throughout the world learn more about the koi fish
here like koi fish care and koi fish breeding
koi pond filter is very important because without a filter is like living in a room full of shit
So this article will discuss the best practices in building a koi pond filter systems or a DIY koi pond filter
koi pond filter necessary if you want your koi to reach their full potential. You are probably thinking, “Wait a minute! I’m not sure I want to the amount of breeding that would require me to have to worry about all of this!”
Whether you just plan to sell off your excess koi in order to help to
offset some of the cost of keeping them, or you have grandiose
plans of developing a new variety of Koi right in your backyard
pond, you DO need to worry about aerating and filtering the water in that pond.
Treat Your Koi as Your Pet
The Koi you will be keeping in that pond should be considered as much of a pet as your dog or cat. As such, your fish deserve the best of care.
That includes water to swim in that has been filtered to remove any
harmful material and the waste products from the fish.
What would happen to your pond and to your koi if you decided to do without filtration?
• Your pond will very quickly turn a sickly shade of green due to algae build up in the water.
• Fish parasites enjoy murky, algae-filled water, as do other
creatures that may well harm your fish.
If just one fish in your pond is infected by a parasite or injured by
another creature in the water, the chances are good that all of your other koi will experience the same fate.
• Standing water that is full of algae and parasites really smells
horrible and looks pretty awful, too.
Do you really think your koi could live in all of that muck? Here is a hint – They cannot breathe or live in water like this.
Choose a Good Filtration System
You will definitely have to plan what kind of filtration you will use in your pond.
Do not try to save money by purchasing the cheaper filtration system.
You may well regret it if something goes wrong with the filter and causes you to lose all of your koi.
Most experts recommend that you choose a filter that is able to handle 33% of the total amount of water in the pond.
As an example, a pond that is capable of holding 3000 gallons of
water needs a filter that can circulate 1000 gallons of water.
If you must dip lower than this percentage in order to get a filter
you can better afford, you should not choose a filter that circulates less than 10% of the total water volume.
Your pond filtration system should consist of two types of filtration. These are –
Mechanical filtration
Biological filtration
How Filters Work
Mechanical filtration works by trapping debris and fish waste as
they flow through the water with the use of brushes, pads, sand, or small beads.
Biological filtration involves a natural method that changes the fish
waste into amalgams that will not hurt the fish.
All koi have ammonia in the excretions, and a build-up of ammonia can kill any fish.
Bacteria that are present in a biological filter change the ammonia
and nitrates in the pond water to nitrites, which are safe for koi.
Your filtration system will also need a pump. You have two choices of what type of pump to place in your koi pond.
The types of pumps available are –
Airlift pump
Subersible pump
Recirculating pump
The submersible pump is a good choice for a smaller pond. If your
pond will feature a waterfall, a submersible pump can be used to handle the volume of the waterfall alone.
A recirculating pump is usually what is used for good-sized ponds. They are sturdy and efficient, and most will serve you for a long time.
how to build a koi pond If you are planning to breed koi fish , then you must start out on the right foot.
You cannot simply find someone who is selling koi, bring a few
back home with you, then toss them into a five-gallons of water
bucket and expect them to thrive in this “new home”.
Koi are hardy, but this treatment would certainly not be good for any fish, much less the Koi.
These fish have the potential to be very time consuming, but you
can curtail this somewhat by doing your homework before even purchasing a few Koi.
A Pond for You
If you want to keep koi, then you need a pond. It is best to build the
Biggest gallon pond you can afford, because these fish can grow in length
to reach twenty-four inches or even more.
You will also want to make sure that you have plenty of room for spawning when the time comes to breed your koi.
You may want to design your own pond, and do all the work needed to build it yourself.
You may want to hire someone to design and building a pond for you. You may decide to purchase a pond liner, filter, and pump from a dealer who specializes in fish ponds.
Formal or Informal?
One of the best ways to decide exactly what kind of pond you want is to look at what others have done to create theirs.
Keep in mind that you must decide on how large it will be, and
what shape will fit best in the area of your yard that you have selected for a pond.
Ponds can be formal, or informal, and it is up to you to decide which one of these styles will work best for you.
Pond Size Counts
Pond size is everything when keeping koi carp. Large koi or small, your
choice of size is going to affect how many koi you will be able to
keep, what kind of biological filtration system you will need to keep the pond
water fresh and clear, and how much time, effort, and money it will
cost you to do daily upkeep and routine maintenance on your pond.
Koi experts agree that if you enjoy koi enough to want to breed
them, you need to build the largest outdoor pond you can afford.
You certainly do not want to go to the time and expense of building
a pond (or having it built) only to have to build another one because your fish are outgrowing the first one!
Water feature Pond Depth and Width
Keep in mind pond owners that you need to consider not only how wide and long your pond will be, but also how deep is your pond water.
Long time breeders insist on ponds that are at least four feet deep,
as they claim the fish grow larger and have better conformation when living at this depth.
Koi also need a pond that is at least twelve feet in length, and has at
least one hundred forty square feet of water surface.
Once you see the number of fry that come from the first spawning
in your pond, you will understand why lots of room is essential!
You can certainly have a smaller pond, and enjoy watching your koi
swim and frolic about, but you will not have much luck in breeding your koi. Pond size is crucial when it comes to breeding.
Where to Build Your Pond
You will want consider carefully the area on your property that you
choose for the location of your breeding pond.
You will want your koi pond to be accessible to you, so that you do not have to put forth an effort to get to it.
If you choose an area that is difficult to maneuver in during good
weather, it may be impossible to navigate come winter.
The same goes for a breeding pond that is built during the fall, after the leaves are gone.
If your pond is too close to shrubs or trees, things may get a bit crowded in the spring when they leaf out and/or bloom again.
You will also have to put up with leaves dropping into your pond.
It is best to place the breeding pond as close to your house as
possible, so you can see your fish from a window while inside.
This makes it much easier to check on them during bad weather.
It also makes it much easier to feed them if they are just a few steps away from your door.
Sun, Shade, and Tree Roots
You do not want to build a breeding pond that will be in the sunlight or in the shade all the time.
A little sunshine is good for koi. However, koi can sunburn unless they have a place to go in order to get out of the sun.
Too much shade can inhibit the growth of the fish. Watch out for the roots of any large trees that may be nearby.
They can snake out much further than you would think. Many an
area chosen for a koi breeding pond has been abandoned because
of the massive root systems of elderly trees.
You can either be sure to choose an area that is not around any
large trees, or choose the type of tree that you would like around the pond.
Many people choose palm trees, as the roots of this tree cannot hurt a pond. Palm trees are not messy like most trees are as they shed their leaves.
If too many leaves make it into your bottom of the pond before you have a
chance to use a net to get them out, the resultant decomposition is
going to make your filter system work much harder than it needs to.
Providing a breeding pond for your koi may mean a lot of work for you if you choose to design and build it yourself.
However, you will be rewarded tenfold by taking the time to do the job properly.
How much does it cost to build a koi pond?
A shallow 4′ x 6′ or 6′ x 8′ professionally-installed pond, including
excavation, liner, filtration system, and simple rock border might cost $2,000 to $3,500.
As a DIY project, the same pond might cost $500 to $1,000. Larger ponds, depending on features and equipment, can easily cost $5,000 to $15,000 or more.
What is the minimum size for a koi pond?
Well, at three feet deep, a six foot by eight foot pond will yield 1077 gallons. But these are merely the minimum recommended requirements.
Also, the more fish you have, the larger your pond should be. A pond of the aforementioned size will be enough for no more than five average sized Koi.
How big does a koi pond need to be?
A pond for goldfish or water lilies need be only about 2 feet deep for zones 5 or greater.
Ponds built in colder areas may need more depth to keep the pond from freezing solid.
Ponds built for koi should be close to three feet or deeper to allow these larger fish enough space.
How much does a pond cost to build?
The average price to install a pond ranges from $1,288 and $4,882, with most homeowners paying around $3,005.
The expense is usually $2.50 to $7.15 per square foot. For a larger-scale project, expect to pay $3,000 to $8,200 per acre, or more. Ponds can be surprisingly inexpensive to install.
How much does a small pond cost?
Landscapers can charge anywhere from $3,000 for a small, simple pond, to $10,000–$30,000 for a larger more complex pond.
These expenses include the costs of the design, materials and labor.
The area must be dug out, lined, and a filter and pump need to be installed.
How many koi can be in a 500 gallon pond?
Most pond experts say you can have one Koi per 500 gallons.
But this is NOT true, The number of koi is dependent on the pond
location, size of koi, quality of water and climate conditions.
Small, shallow ponds can heat and cool fast. Our quarantine tank is a 12 ft intex pool that holds 1800 gallons and is 32 inch deep.
How thick should a concrete pond be?
You should consider pouring concrete for the sides of the pond as well. If they are vertical, you will have to form them with wood first.
The reinforcement should extend from the floor into the wall. The thickness of the wall should probably be about 6 inches.
How do you build a fish pond?
Set up a space. …
See if the dirt is suitable by making a small hole and pouring some water in it. …
Dig a hole. …
If the ground is not suitable for the water, put some material such
as plastic, sand, a thin layer of concrete, etc. over the dirt after you dig the hole. …
Put in wet land plants. …
Add water.
How deep does a pond need to be to support fish?
A pond for goldfish or water lilies need be only about 2 feet deep for zones 5 or greater.
Ponds built in colder areas may need more depth to keep the pond from freezing solid.
Ponds built for koi should be close to three feet or deeper to allow these larger fish enough space.
How deep should a pond be for fish to survive?
Koi ponds should be at least 3 feet deep. The ideal depth of a pond
that supports a population of koi is 48 to 60 inches, although koi can survive with a minimum depth of 36 inches.
That depth offers the koi protection from wading birds and also
allows for a more uniform water temperature.
How much does it cost to build a pond?
Average Costs to Dig a Pond. The average backyard pond is between 200 and 300 square feet. Since the typical price per square foot is $2.50 to $7.15, most people pay between $500 and $2,145. The total average cost for this size is roughly $1,100.
How many koi are in a 4000 gallon pond?
Let’s do the math using our conservative rule of thumb suggesting
one Koi for every 250 gallons of well filtered & maintained pond water. A 2500-gallon pond translates to 10 full-grown Koi and you have 30! Obvious Solution – Get rid of 20 koi or build a bigger pond.
How big is the average pond?
So, a pond with a maximum depth of 12 feet would have an average depth of about 4.8 feet.
A more accurate method for calculating average depth is to make
many measurements and calculate an average.
How many koi are in a 1000 gallon pond?
Just because you have a 1000 gallon pond and you bought a filter
for 1000 gallon doesn’t mean you can put 20 Koi in there and expect great water quality.
As a general rule, cut the number of gallons the filter says it can
filter in half, and even then keep the stocking density low.
How do I calculate the size of my pond?
Square/ Rectangular (Gallons): Multiply length x width x average water depth (feet) x 7.5. …
Square/Rectangular (Acres): Multiply length x width, then divide by 43,560 (square feet per acre) …
Round (Gallons):
How many gallons of water are in a one acre pond?
Example: I have a 1.25 acre pond with a 6′ average depth. 1.25 x 6′ = 7.5 acre-feet. If you are trying to figure out GALLONS, multiply acre-feet by 325,829 (gallons in 1 acre-foot) = Gallons. Example: I have 7.5 acre-feet of water.
How many koi are in a pond?
Let’s do the math using our conservative rule of thumb suggesting
one Koi for every 250 gallons of well filtered & maintained pond water.
A 2500-gallon pond translates to 10 full-grown Koi and you have 30! Obvious Solution – Get rid of 20 koi or build a bigger pond
2. double koi fish pendant wd lotus flower 100% real 925 sterling silver
Double Koi Fish
The pair of koi fish, koi (carp), represents abundance and wealth. It can also be used as a fertility symbol since carp procreate very rapidly.
Pairs used in feng shui are considered very auspicious symbols for
marriage. Traditionally, a pair of koi represents the sexual unity
and fidelity of a married couple and are often given as a wedding gift.
What do koi fish pendant leaping against the wave means?
1.Koi Fish Jumps Over the Dragon’s Gate Painting: from a long legend in China. (?????) Symbolize big success in the civil service examination or getting a big promotion.
2.Wave designs in jewelries symbolizes the ups and downs we see in life.
There are times when you feel high, and there are times when you feel low.
Wear this pendant as a reminder to stay positive, happy, and strong regardless of what life throws your way.
Feng Shui Koi Fish is a symbol of wealth and prosperity – the Chinese word for ‘fish'(yu) has the same pronunciation as ‘abundance’.
It’s gold characteristic is a highly regarded auspicious color in Chinese culture.
This asupicious Koi Fish Pendant will bring good ‘chi’ and vibes that attract good Feng Shui and abundance in prosperity as well as good fortune to those wearing it.
Koi fish necklace will boost my morale whenever I felt discouraged during stormy times of my life.
Just like the story of koi fish struggle swimming upstream to reach the summit in dragons gate.
He wanted to reach the summit because He wanted to become a dragon.
It is not an easy cake walk for him.
He fought many obstacles in the way
The Gods tested his patience by sending waves, strong winds, strong current, thunder, and lighting.
But the little koi fish did not quit.
He perseveres and continues to reach the summit.
The Gods are happy and rewarded him and transform him into a beautiful dragon.
This is similar to our lives. We will face obstacles and challenges in our lives but If will just persevere and continue to press on forward to our goal no matter what.
we will be successful let’s believe in our selves and with Gods help we will succeed.
The significance of koi fish pendant in feng shui is wealth and abundance.
In addition, koi fish has the ability of fertility. … Wearing koi fish pendant (fish pendant) is believed to bring a chance of getting wealth.
This jade fish pendant (koi fish necklace) is made of jade and has an adjustable length.
feng shui fish pendant
Feng shui fish statues have arowana fish, dragon fish, carp fish, golden fish, feng shui goldfish and double fish.
The feng shui fish symbol is wealth and abundance. Displaying good luck fish statue or fish picture can bring wealth luck.
fish locket benefits
Many people wear little carvings of fish as a means of ensuring wealth
benefits of wearing om
Wearing an ‘OM’ charm is said to bring harmony, peace and eternal bliss to the ones who wear them.
fish pendant gold benefits
The main benefits of wearing fish pendant gold jewelry include prevention of black energy in the body, insertion of divine consciousness in the body, spiritual
jade fish pendant meaning
A pair of fish carries a somewhat different meaning. “Like fish in water” is a common Chinese saying used to describe two people in love.
A jade pendant carved in the shape of two fish swimming together represents two lovers and is considered an appropriate gift for a young couple.
kohaku koi different types of kohaku you need to know 2018
kohaku koi definition
A koi fish variety that has a white skin and a red pattern is defined as a Kohaku koi.
The kohaku koi is a representative class of the Nishikigoi.
Though its color is plain only white and red.
It reminds all the Japanese of their national flag of Japan.
In the koi world, there is a saying, “Keeping the Nishikigoi begins with the Kohaku and ends with the Kohaku.
First people are attracted by the beauty of the Kohaku koi and charmed by the Showa or the Ogon.
But finally, they go back to the Kohaku koi again.
That means that Kohaku koi is the prototype of the Nishikigoi.
Kohaku koi Origin
It was around 1800 that a red and white koi appeared for the first time.
By mutation, a koi with red cheeks called “Hookazuki” was born from a black carp.
Hookazuki
Then a white koi was born from “Hookazuki”
white koi
The white koi being mated with a Higoi, a white koi with Hi markings was breed and called “Hara-aka” (red Belly)”.
Later kois with Hi markings on the gill covers “Era-Hi (Red gills)” were breed.
Era-Hi (Red gills)
Later than 1830 a “Zu-kinkaburi” whose head is partly red, a “Menkaburi” whose whole head is red.
Zu-kinkaburiMenkaburi
A “Menkaburi” whose whole head is red, a “Kuchi-beni of which lips are red
Kuchi-beni
An a “Sarasa” which has red and white markings on the back were breed.
Sarasa
In the Meiji era Kohakus spread all over Yamakoshi and were improved.
It was by Gosuke of Utogi that so-called modern Kohaku was breed.
Utogi is a part of Ojiya City now. His real name was Kunizo Hiroi.
He mated a male koi of the cherry blossom pattern with a female which had a redhead.
A Tomouemon inherited Gosuke’s excellent Kohaku and Yagozen and Buheita followed him.
Kohaku Pattern
Good white texture is the most important element in the case of the Kohaku.
It must not be yellowish or brownish but should be snow white.
Dark but bright Hi is Preferable.
There are two kinds of Hi one’s base is purple and the other base is yellowish brown.
The former Hi is darker and does not fade away easily but unrefined.
To learn more about other types of koi click here types of koi
Kohaku
Kohaku is one of the most beautiful koi with its pure white body and intense-red patterns.
The white cannot have a yellow tint, it must be snow-white, and the
Hi (red) must be consistent, evenly colored, without thin, discolored spots. Red is not desirable on the fins.
The edge of the red pattern must be sharp and clear against the white background (this edge is called “kiwa”).
The red pattern should be artistically well-balanced.
One of the most important factors to be considered is the body conformation.
Don’t choose a Kohaku simply because it has a beautiful pattern.
Poor body conformation is usually a result of more serious internal
problems that will eventually result in health problems.
Kohaku come in hundreds of patterns. Some of the more recognized ones are:
– by patterns on the body:
Omoyo: one step pattern. A continuous, large, unbroken pattern from head to tail.
Straight Hi: Single, continuous Hi pattern, but the red patches are interconnected.
Nidan: two step pattern. Two islands of red color that are not interconnected.
Sandan: three step pattern. (Yondan – four step, Godan – five step, etc.)
Inazuma: pattern resembling a lightning strike; zig-zag pattern.
– by markings on the head:
Tancho: Pure white body with a single roundish red marking on the head between the eyes
(with no other red on the body).
Kuchibeni: red lipstick-like markings, red (beni) on the mouth.
Menkaburi: “hood” pattern – going behind, below the eyes often to the mouth.
Maruten: “crown” on the head pattern – a red mark on the head (similar to Tancho) but with red patterns
on the rest of the body too.
Kohaku are sensitive to water conditions. In hard water they will develop small black freckles (called “shimi”) on the skin.
Softer water will prevent shimi from forming and will also
contribute to the development of the red (beni).
In very young koi the red starts out as a pale yellow and, in time, it changes to orange and later to red.
Males tend to develop the red faster than females, but their color also tends to diminish faster.
Females might take longer to develop the red but their colors will
last longer, this aspect making them more desirable among the hobbyists.
Kohaku There are fundamental points to look for in a kohaku. Pattern for the head, body, the tail, and the fins.
A red marking is indispensable for the head, even if it has beautiful
patterns on the body, a koi without a head Hi will be amoung the first culled.
The ideal shape of the head Hi is a large U spreading over the head,
a head Hi which spreads all over the head is not preferable.
The mouth region should be white, the Hi which spreads down to
the lips, and not covering the cheeks and jaws is also disliked.
The ideal end line of the head Hi is the nose line, and at least down to the eyes.
A head Hi that is neither too large nor too small is preferable.
The head Hi should not spread down to the mouth tip, if it is split in some place, no mouth Hi is acceptable.
The head Hi must not cover the eyes, jaws, and cheeks, but must be as large as possible.
The back should have a pattern well-balanced on both sides. A large mark on the shoulders near the head makes a Kohaku look imposing.
A V shaped white cut on the shoulders is desirable. A continuous pattern from the head to shoulders without any cuts looks dull.
The distance between the last Hi and the tail joint should be about 2cm.
As the fish grows larger, this distance increases, the last Hi spreading
over the tail is disliked, no fins should have Hi.
The skin should be snow white, the Hi deep, each pattern is
different but should show a clean cut edge.
The Kohaku should look imposing, elegant and the pattern well balanced.
The basic factors of Kohaku are, Bright Hi, Sharp pattern edges, no
Hi over the eyes and fins, no Hi markings spreading below the
lateral line, head Hi that does not spread below the nose, and tail Hi that does not spread over the caudal fin.
Kohaku Koi are the most popular Koi in Japan. Kohaku, Sanke and Showa Koi are called the “Gosanke” which means “The Three Families.” In the United States, “Gosanke” Koi are often referred to as “The Big Three.”
Kohaku are white bodied koi with red markings (sometimes more orange than red)…
Ideally the white of the body is like fine porcelain in color, with the
red well-demarcated (not “bleeding”). Red is undesirable on the fins,
and unless specified in a particular sub-variety, not below the eyes or on the mouth.
Several “sub-varieties”, designator terms are utilized with Kohaku type koi:
By Hi: “He”, Red Patterns on the Body:
Straight Hi: Pattern like meandering islands of red that are interconnected.
Inazuma: Interconnected red pattern looking “Like a Lightning Bolt”.
Nidan (Ni is two in Japanese): Two Step pattern. Two islands of red color that are not interconnected.
Sandan (San is three in Japanese): Three Step pattern. Three islands of red color that are not interconnected.
Yondan (Yon is four in Japanese): Four Step pattern. Four islands of red color that are not interconnected.
By Red Markings on the Head:
Kuchibeni: “Lipstick”; with red on the oral lobes.
Menkaburi: With “A Hood on the head”. Going behind, below the eyes often to the mouth.
Maruten: With a “Crown on the head”. A reddish mark, though with more red on the body.
Tancho: With a “Red Sun” marking on head, and lacking other red on the body. Best if the “spot” is bright red, w/o bleeding color, and circular, centered on the head.
Koh-haku koi are the cornerstone of any serious koi collection.
They are fairly simple in appearance, with red markings on a white body.
But simplicity aside, this is undeniably the most important and
most fundamental koi variety.
Koh-haku form the root breeding stock of many other varieties,
and they commonly win the “grand champion” award at prestigious koi shows.
KOHAKU
It is said “appreciation of koi starts and ends with Kohaku”. What that means is Kohaku was the first class to be bred consistently or stabilized in about 1890.
It also means that after a person has studied all of the classes of koi and has become experienced, they
will come back to appreciate Kohaku for its simplicity and beauty.
I will keep the amount of Japanese terminology to a minimum in this lecture.
A Japanese term dictionary will be available soon in KOIUSA magazine and on the AKCA website.
Before I continue on Kohaku, I want to take a minute to discuss judging points common to all classes.
Koi are judged as a whole or holistically and are not judged on a positive or negative point system.
Negative points can come into play in close contests.
Koi are judged side by side based on what we see today and not what may be there next week or next year.
Japanese Judges have a disadvantage in often being able to
recognize bloodlines, which can cloud their “judge for today”
decisions because they know which koi cost more and has more potential.
A Japanese Judge once answered a question on why a koi won an
award replying, “because it was the most expensive fish”.
Koi may lose today only to come back to win tomorrow based on the competition tomorrow.
First, the koi cannot be missing anything like a fin or have any
abnormalities like a pushed in mouth all of which will disqualify the koi from judging.
The exception is the second set of barbels.
Second the koi must be healthy and not show signs of disease or
parasites, which could disqualify the koi from judging.
An exception is made for split fins or bruises judged to be caused during transportation.
Third, is the importance of body conformation.
Broad, thick body shape of female koi is preferred giving an
imposing appearance when compared to the thin trout shaped body of a male koi.
Shape and size of the fins are important to be in proportion to the body.
The head shape is important that it not be too short or too long or turn to one side.
The koi when viewed from above should be symmetrical on both sides and not have one side flatter than the other.
Even the way a koi swims is taken into account on conformation.
Not all female koi hold their eggs well, which could affect conformation.
Fourth, in my opinion is quality of skin and deep, vibrant colors, which makes koi “living jewels”.
This also includes how well the koi is “finished”, are all of the colors up, and is there a good sheen on the skin.
It is conformation and quality that will catch a Judges eye from a distance.
Fifth is pattern that is artistically balanced and not front, tail or side heavy.
Pattern must also be proportional to the size of the koi and not have
a small pattern on a huge body or a huge pattern on a small body.
Last is uniqueness or character usually of the pattern on the head that makes this koi special.
Now for Kohaku.
We have a snow white (shiro) base color with a red (hi) pattern. The pattern may be stepped or continuous. The white must be without blemish or yellow tint.
The hi may be any one of the many hues from deep persimmon
orange to Ferrari red but the red must be thick without any thin
spots and the pattern must be the same color from head to tail.
Some Judges prefer the persimmon orange hi to the Ferrari red
because the orange appears soft and the purple red appears hard and gaudy.
Kohaku must have red pattern on the head.
The pattern on the body must be artistically balanced and the kiwa
or rear edges of each spot must be sharp like cut with a razor.
A new bias in Japan has started to favor bloodlines that have the
kiwa stop at the edge of each scale forming a scalloped edge rather
than a straight edge across the center of a scale.
The front edge of each spot (not on the head) may have blurred red color that is called “sashi” or insertion.
Sashi indicates the koi is still improving in quality and is not finished yet.
It is elegant if a Kohaku has a white nose and a white area with no
red pattern just in front of the tail called a “tail stop” and several other names.
Some subtleties of pattern not liked are a totally red head or red
down the face to the nose that are heavy in appearance.
Red pattern wrapping below the lateral line suggests a future koi
when the red and white are better balanced.
Red spots below the lateral line are disliked. The lateral line is a raised sensory organ running the full length of a koi half way up the side of a koi.
A red head pattern with an additional red lip mark is called
“kuchibeni” and can be cute if it balances the overall pattern.
Red pattern at the base of the pectoral fin was considered
unfavorable but is being accepted now if it adds to the overall balance of the pattern.
Red into the tail or into the dorsal fin is still disliked.
Kohaku tend to get black specks “shimis” in hard water with high pH.
Koi Fish Care – 3 Essentials To Caring For Koi Successfully
Koi fish are one of the pedigree animals, just like dogs, cats and
pedigree horses.
They are highly inherited in order to achieve the relatively
magnificent range of different kinds of patterns and colours.
Since they are highly inherited, they are hereditarily weaker than
the plain ancestors- the similar is true for any of the pedigree animal.
Because they are hereditarily weaker, they are since more prone to
diseases and have weaker to the immune system than the common carp.
Here I would like to discuss about some of the essentials for making the Koi successfully.
Keeping a clean koi fish Koi Pond
The Koi fish pond should keep as clean at all of the time.
Keeping the Koi pond clean must be a work that you have to complete daily.
If you are not keeping the pond always clean, the Koi will live in a dirty environment and could probably die.
Don’t forget that the water is not only the place for living the Koi, but they eat, sleep and also use the bathroom as well.
Keep the pond as free of damaging contaminants should be a high priority if you are going to make a water garden.
You can begin with the water and it must be in form of crystal clear. If you can’t to see the bottom of the pond, it should be clean immediately if it is dirty.
Don’t forget that the Koi will eat anything in the home the pond so ensure that debris and trash is clean every day.
You have to spent the countless hours for building the pond,
selecting the plants, and landscaping the garden, so don’t damage
its attractiveness by permitting the pond clean, that the fish will experience.
The beautiful fish will experience not only with the issues of health
but also the colour will boring.
Treating the pond like a fish tank will assure that the pond keeps
clean and it is a location where everyone likes to see.
First you have to make a plan about how to clean the tank. You should have a system for filtration.
This will make sure that the water is with good quality by
repeatedly moving the water via a pump and gathering the debris in the filter.
The Koi try to eat more food in intention than in nature. So beware
of how much food that you are giving in each of the week, since
the more food the more waste that you will have to arrange within the pond.
Don’t forget that the waste is not at all from the fish, also from the uneaten food from the bottom of the water garden.
It is significant to blank the bottom of the pond, clean the pum system and drain.
This will make keep the water as clean and healthy for the Koi.
Correct Diet
For keeping the Koi fish happy and healthy, right diet is required.
There are number of special Koi foods in the market and all of
them are designed for one or number of the following: health,
colour, growth and boosting the system of immunity.
Having depleted considerable sums on the Koi, please do not
cooperate the health by feeding them as the diet of goldfish food,
trout pellets, bread or other titbits.
Koi wants proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates and trace the elements
in the diet like as the humans that do for health.
Koi foods are particularly formulated for providing the correct balance of the elements.
Since the Koi are Poikilothermic, they also want a change the diet
via the seasons, low proteins foods in winter and in low
temperature and high protein in the summer at high temperatures.
At less temperature, food possesses via the easy gut as slowly and is badly digested.
Food which keeps in the gut as too long and can begin to decay and
make the fish as very ill, and also weakly digested food refers more
waste and it means high Ammonia and means poor water quality.
In winter you should just nourish Koi fish once every day most
extreme and typically at temperatures lower than around 8 deg C
relying upon the span of your lake, you should quit bolstering inside and out.
However in midsummer, at high lake water temperatures you can encourage your Koi up to 8 times each day.
The brilliant decide is that any nourishment you give ought to be devoured in less than a moment.
On the off chance that there is still sustenance drifting around after
this time you are more likely than not encouraging excessively.
If all else fails decrease sustaining – recall more nourishment
implies more Ammonia and Nitrite – and to the extent we know
nobody has ever executed a Koi by starving, however it is
exceptionally easy to slaughter a Koi by overloading.
And in addition the amazing scope of polluted sustenance on offer,
you can and should offer treat nourishment, particularly in hotter
water conditions.
Nourishment, for example, lettuce, oranges, sweet corn and prawns
will all be eaten up with energy, once Koi figure out how to perceive the new sustenance.
At first you may discover Koi deny new sorts of sustenance –
however they will obtain new taste promptly particularly on the off
chance that they are utilized to a blended eating regimen.
You should never simply utilize the same pelleted slim down all the
time as Koi can get so used to only one eating routine they may
then reject every other kind of nourishment, including simply extraordinary formulae polluted sustenance. So shift the eating routine and keep them intrigued.
Protection From Predators
Because of their splendid shading and size, koi are sometimes difficult to spot.
Subsequently, they require security from normal predators, for
example, huge winged creatures and warm blooded creatures.
Mesh will keep most birdlife out.
On the off chance that raccoons,
bears, or other substantial predators debilitate, electric fencing
might be important to keep them out.
Managers of corporate lakes additionally find that they have to
shield their koi from good natured representatives who need to
encourage them, frequently with improper nourishments.
By Beginning the right set up, the Koi fish will flourish for years to come. Managing the Koi will be simplified and greatly improving the enjoyment.
How long can koi fish go without food?
Many experienced fishkeepers routinely leave their charges for two
to three days without making any provisions for feeding.
Almost any fish can go that long without fish food (more about that later, as well). However,
if you’re going away for longer, some preparation may be needed.
How often should you feed koi?
There are two main aspects to properly feeding your fish. These are feeding the right foods and feeding in the right amounts.
Each time you feed your fish, whether its three times a day or three
times a week, you need to make sure you feed only what they can eat in 5 minutes.
pond water
How do you treat green pond water?
Have only one inch of fish per ten gallons of water. …
Avoid direct sunlight as green water is due to small algae cell. …
Use pond bacteria to treat green pond water. …
Control amount of nitrates and phosphates as it is very harmful for
the pond’s ecosystem and helps in algae growth.
bacterial infections in pond fish
Fungal infections are recognisable on fish with their cotton wool-like formations.
In such cases a combined treatment advised: JBL Ektol bac Pond
Plus for the bacterial primary infection, complemented by JBL
AccliPond which rebuilds and protects the destroyed mucous membrane of the fish
what does koi keepers mean
A fish hobbiest who are into keeping and breeding koi fish
amount of food How much do koi fish eat?
Feed your fish up to four times per day. Only feed them as much as they can eat in about a five minute period.
Koi fish eat just about anything, from small bugs and insects, to
plants and algae at the bottom of the fish pond, to store-bought koi fish food. Koi will even eat people food.
gallons of water How do you calculate gallons of water in a pond?
Calculate Your Pond Water Volume
For Rectangular Pond: Water Volume = length (feet) X width X average depth X 7.43 gallons/cu. foot = GALLONS.
For an Oval Pond: Water Volume = 0.8 X ( length (feet) X width X average depth X 7.43 gallons/cu. foot) = GALLONS.
For larger ponds & lakes: volume is expressed as “ACRE-FOOT” of water.
natural habitats of koi fish
Where do koi fish live in the wild?
Koi or Common Carp. Common carp are large, greenish-brown freshwater fish native to Asia and eastern Europe. They are the first known domesticated fish, farmed for food over 2,000 years ago in ancient Rome.
fish waste
The pond owner should be concerned with both of these aspects.
While it is true that you can keep goldfish and koi in garden ponds
with no filtration, it severely limits the number of fish you can keep. … Goldfish and koi excrete waste into the water in the form of
ammonia, primarily through their gills.
koi fish turning into dragon This is my diorama video telling the
story of the legend of the koi fish transforming into a dragon
Once upon a time, there was a little Kohaku koi fish who lives in a beautiful small pond.
One day He decided to go in the dragon’s gate because he wanted to
become a dragon as what he heard his grandfather told him that
whenever you will succeed in reaching the dragon’s gate you will
turn into a beautiful dragon,
so the little kohaku koi fish jump out of his pond and swim towards
the dragons gate when He was about to reach the summit of the
water fall the Gods test him they make large waves to prevent the
koi fish from reaching
the dragon’s gate but the little koi fish is determined to reach the
top He keeps on swimming even if he was already tired and
exausted and then the Gods throw him ball of fires and even lighting
but this did not stop the little kohaku koi fish he continues to swim
upward the water fall and then successfully reach the dragon’s gate. The Gods were very pleased with the little koi fish that they turn the little koi fish into a beautiful dragon.
My story is based on Fish in Chinese mythology
Here is also a story from this site http://www.egreenway.com/dragonsrealms/DT3.htm
The Threshold of the Dragon’s Gate
“Beneath the serene quiet of the water lilies a young carp senses a calling . . . swelling up in her heart
like the swirling waters at the base of a great waterfall,
Somehow summoned to go beyond the barrier of crashing water and veiled mist
The churning waters of the waterfall’s bottom matches that of the young carp’s desires
Finally with a burst of enthusiasm the carp has launched herself up
the wall of rushing water cresting the first fall with a surge of effort
only to be met with relentless rushing water.
Persevering from one cataract to the next the carp make it to the summit’s last falls.
Regrouping her energies in a pocket of scouring effervescence
every essence of strength, courage, and spirit is consumed in the launching over the fall’s summit.
And the dragon’s gate accepts her efforts a transforming gate of fire Revealing the birth of a new Dragon
born of the seed of desire planted in the heart of a small carp that once hid in the shallows.”
– Howard Schroeder, Threshold of the Dragon’s Gate
koi fish turning into dragon tattoo
Photo from http://nextluxury.com
Koi Fish Turning Into Dragon Koi Turning Into a Dragon. … Coy
Tattoo, Fish Tattoos, Koi Fish Tattoo, Lotus Tattoo, Tattoo Time,
Animal Tattoos, Tatoos, Japanese
legend of carp turning into a dragon
A long time ago, in the distant past, the water of the
blue river that flowed from the sky, and the golden river
that flowed from the land were separated by the legendary
Dragon’s Gate.
The golden river, so-called because of the golden colour
of its water, was the last place where the inhabitants of
the sea could swim freely, after the gods that walked on
the earth had destroyed their massive home, believing
themselves to be the owners of everything they laid their
eyes on.
Amongst all the inhabitants of their water, the Koi family were the
most beautiful of all, gleaming in the sunlight like brilliant stars.
The black one was father Koi, the red one was mother Koi, and their little son was a remarkable deep blue colour.
What the little Koi fish wanted more than anything was to reach the
waters of the blue river after hearing from his father how there was
a time where there were no barriers between one place and the other.
The bravest fish, the dragon fish, flew across the sky like pearls lighting up the darkness.
The entrance was upstream, through the Dragon’s Gate to the Great Waterfall of the blue river. Every fish that got that far sprouted golden wings and so became a dragon fish. learn more here
koi dragon dragon story
The Story of the Koi Dragon
The legend says that a certain koi had the strength and courage to climb a certain waterfall.
When the koi reached the top exhausted, yet having reached its goal, the koi was transformed into a dragon.
The koi dragon is one of the mythical characters in the Japanese culture which is not actually a dragon.
It is a Japanese fish (Koi fish), which has the power to turn into a dragon.
The koi dragon starts to swim off as a fish up a river and then when it reaches a certain waterfall, tries to cross it.
If it is able to cross the waterfall, then it transforms itself into a dragon and thus it is known as the koi dragon.
The tattoo stands for overcoming obstacles through courage and perseverance.
As the koi fish swims up the waterfall and transforms itself to a
dragon, it symbolizes that nothing is impossible when you believe.
If you work hard and put yourself to tests, you will eventually rise
above your fears and become the ruler of your destiny.
The Daffodils (which are a year old) represents my sisters and their
unconditional and unselfish support and encouragement they provide through each journey.
I love this tattoo as it is something I feel everyone can relate to
throughout their own journey through life. read more here
legend of the dragon gate
LEAPING THE DRAGON GATE
On the Yellow River at Hunan is a waterfall called the Dragon Gate. It is said that if certain carp called Yulong can climb the cataract
they will transform into dragons.
Every year in the third month of spring they swim up from the sea
and gather in vast numbers in the pool at the foot of the falls.
It used to be said that only seventy one could make the climb in any year. When the first succeeded, then the rains would begin to fall.
This Dragon Gate was said to have been created after the Flood by
the god-emperor Yu who split a mountain blocking the path of the Yellow River.
It was so famous that throughout China there was a common
saying that: ‘a student facing his examinations is like a carp attempting to leap the Dragon Gate.’
Hunan is not the only place where this happens. Many other waterfalls in China also have the name Dragon Gate and much the same is said about them.
Other famous Dragon Gates are on the Wei River where it passes
through the Lung Sheu Mountains and at Tsin in Shanxi Province. learn more here
how to tell if a fish is male or female (sexing koi)
How can you tell if a koi fish is male or female?
A mature male koi will have a slender looking body, while a female
koi will have a rounded body, particularly when it’s spawning season and she’s carrying a nest full of eggs!
Next, examine your koi’s fins. A male koi’s pectoral fins is thicker, pointy and solid color
How can you tell if a fish is a boy or a girl?
Look for tubercles. One of the main tell-tale signs that your koi
fish is male, is the development of tubercles (small white spots) on
their gill-shields head and pectoral fins it is well emphasized during
the breeding season.
Look for a thinner, more streamlined body shape
Look for a concave vent
Look for a midline ridge
Watch for chasing behavior.
Koi fish are a great addition to any garden koi pond or aquarium.
But whether you just brought your koi fish home or its spawning season fish friends
determining the sex of your koi fish can prove difficult for new owners.
This is especially true if the koi are still young.
But, determining koi fish gender is important for the health of your koi.
If you can determine the gender of your koi, you can more easily
watch for gender-specific sickness and disease in the koi’s life.
Male and female koi differ slightly in shape and size.
SEXING KOI FISH
Sexing, or identifying the koi fish sex, can be difficult if the koi is under a foot long.
However, with older koi fish you can easily identify the gender by comparing size.
Generally, male koi are slimmer and smaller than their female counterparts.
Female koi have a fuller body and broader shoulders.
But, at a young age, male koi are typically larger than female.
Male koi may also have larger pectoral fins than females. T
hese fins are more pointed than round female fins.
You can also identify a koi’s gender by examining the vent area on the underside of the fish.
A male koi will have a line from head to tail.
A female koi will have the same line, but will also have another crossing in a “T” shape.
A female’s vent will also be more round and more pink than a male’s.
Observe your koi during feeding to see if they skirt away or fight for the food.
If you carefully feel your koi’s pelvic bones, females will have a soft
abdomen in between the bones for holding fish eggs.
In male koi, however, these bones are fused. Again, these methods are difficult when koi are young.
Also take note of your koi fish’s eating habits. Females tend to be
more aggressive during feedings, staying near the surface and
continually eating, while male koi swim around more throughout the session.
During spawning season, male koi will develop some tiny white spots on the sides of their face.
These are called tubercles and feel rough to the touch, like sandpaper. Females do not develop tubercles.
How do you know if a fish is a boy or girl?
Boys will tend to have a longer, thinner body than girls. Examine the fins on your goldfish.
A boy’s pectoral fins will be more prominent and angular than a girl’s, with white bumps to the front of the fins. Study the shape of your goldfish’s body.
Do fish have a gender?
Most fish are gonochorists, but hermaphroditism is known to occur
in 14 families of teleost fishes.
Usually hermaphrodites are sequential, meaning they can switch
sex, usually from female to male (protogyny). …
The type of spawning that occurs depends on male body size.
How can I tell if my angelfish is male or female?
Photo from myaquariumclub.com
Look for a large crowned head on male angelfish. On a male, the front of their heads will have a high, noticeable crown. …
Check for a smaller, more rounded shape on female angelfish. Female angelfish might have more rounded bodies than males. …
Watch them as they swim towards you.
There are quite a few traits you can look for between the fish but,
unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to sex angelfish without seeing their breeding tubes.
In some cases it can be difficult to tell until you actually see the female laying eggs.
Sexing based on the breeding tube:
The female’s tube is blunt and wide like an eraser and the male’s is thin and pointy like a pencil tip.
Some of the traits you can look for to potentially identify a male can be:
A large bump on the forehead
The forehead drops down just before the eyes (females are more angular)
The belly line is more flat (females are more angular)
There are a bunch of other “ways to tell” out there on Google and
Youtube such as forked ventral fins, territorialism, amongst many others.
The best you can really do is try make an educated guess until you see them spawn.
Try putting a piece slate up against one of the side walls of the aquarium and see if a pair sets it up as their territory.
It becomes very apparent when they’re about to spawn because
they won’t let any other fish into their territory and you will see one or both of the fish pecking at the slate.
They are cleaning it and preparing it for laying eggs. learn more here
How can you tell a male from a female koi fish?
Male koi may also have larger pectoral fins than females. These fins are more pointed than round female fins.
You can also identify a koi’s gender by examining the vent area on the underside of the fish. A male koi will have a line from head to tail
Are fish asexual?
When a red-bellied dace and a finescale dace (freshwater fish in the
carp and minnow family) mate with each other, they produce a
hybrid with a very special ability: it can reproduce asexually.
This asexual hybrid should have a tremendous evolutionary
advantage over its sexually reproducing forefathers.
Can fish make babies?
After fertilization, the female can produce multiple batches of
babies without a male present.
Egglaying is also what the name suggests: the fish lay eggs instead of giving birth to little fish.
As the fish grow, they hatch into fry with an attached yolk sac, and then mature into fish.
How do you tell if a koi fish is a boy or girl?
A mature male koi will have a slender looking body, while a female
koi will have a rounded body, particularly when it’s spawning season and she’s carrying a nest full of eggs! Next, examine your koi’s fins.
A male koi’s pectoral fins, the ones near his head, will appear pointed and solid in color
How can you tell a male from a female betta fish?
Wait until characteristics begin to develop with age. Male and female Betta fish will look very similar when young. …
Observe the size and shape of their fins. …
Note his or her colors. …
Look for the egg spot. …
Compare their body shapes. …
Put a mirror beside or in the tank.
How do koi fish give birth?
Koi do not give birth to live young but instead deposit eggs in a method called spawning.
Spawning means to produce eggs or young in large numbers.
Koi are known as “egg scatterers” because they scatter their eggs all
over when releasing them during spawning.
Giving a child a goldfish can be an excellent way to teach responsibility. Once your children are a bit more mature, you can introduce them to koi fish.
Although koi require more care than goldfish, they are also more
versatile, and they can be placed indoors or outdoors.
Use latch hook hairstyles or another extra special treat to reward your child for a job well done.
You will be happy to learn that your kids are capable of caring for
your koi fish once you teach them how to do things correctly.
Here is the best way to get kids to care for their koi.
Ask Your Kids to Demonstrate
Setting up and maintaining a koi pond can be fun, so your children will want to get hands on right away.
After the koi are safely placed in their aquarium or pond, you can have your kids show you that they know what to do.
Have them feed the koi while you stand back and observe. When it comes time to clean out the pond or tank, give your children the tools and supervise them as they set out to work.
As long as the responsibilities you give them are age appropriate,
your children will impress you with how well they take charge.
Make Them Responsible for a Set Period of Time
When kids are old enough to be home alone for a period of time, they’re definitely big enough to take care of their own koi.
Add koi care responsibilities on your children’s chore chart so they know what to do.
This can mean that they need to check the koi pond’s water
temperature every morning, or that they will need to feed their koi every day after school.
Give them some responsibility but check up on them so that their koi are guaranteed to stay healthy.
After a while, you can trust your kids to be responsible and you can
even consider rewarding them with a funky hairstyle, like a mohawk or crochet braids.
Quiz Them on Their Koi Knowledge
After you have seen your kids feed their koi, clean out the tank, and
check on their fish, you need to do just one more thing to ensure that they are fully responsible.
Quiz your children on their knowledge of koi to see if they’ve got all the facts down right.
Ask them about what water temperatures are safe for koi, how
much food they should feed their fish, and what they should do if they see their koi are sick.
Some of their answers might surprise you, but overall you can expect them to get the majority correct.
Koi fish live for a long time if they are cared for well, so your kids
can grow up with a family pet that sticks around for decades.
Get them started early so that they can care for their koi fish, even when you aren’t at home.
As their fish grow larger and their collection becomes even more
vast, they will get to know their koi on a personal level.
Can you keep koi fish in a tank?
Keep koi in large aquariums for a few months at a time. If you live in an apartments, you may have to keep koi in aquariums for their entire life.
That is possible, as long as you do not overcrowd the aquarium with too many koi. … Your tank should have 1 cubic foot per 1 inch of koi fish length.
How long can koi fish go without food?
Many experienced fishkeepers routinely leave their charges for two
to three days without making any provisions for feeding.
Almost any fish can go that long without fish food (more about that later, as well). However, if you’re going away for longer, some preparation may be needed.
Koi fish can be a beautiful, colorful addition to a garden, which is
why many homeowners choose to incorporate them into their ponds.
If you are considering adding koi into your landscape, find out how
to create an eco-environment for your koi fish.
Introduce a Circulation System
A circulation system is simply the pumps and plumbing, which are
required to provide the appropriate oxygen levels to effectively care
for both the koi fish and plants.
It will also help you to maintain your pond’s aesthetic appeal, as it will create a cleaner environment.
Install an Effective Filtration System
A filtration system should include both a biological and a mechanical filter.
The biological filter will provide a surface area for the colonization
of bacteria, so that it can remove the water’s excess nutrients.
While the mechanical filter will not only feature the pond pump,
but it will prefilter the water and remove debris along the water’s
surface, and can, therefore, prevent the development of organic
materials on the pond’s floor. By doing so, it will create a healthier environment for all organisms within the pond.
Utilize Solar Power for Your Pond
Reduce your pond’s energy consumption and your household bills
by opting for solar power pumps and filters.
The systems will be powered by natural sunlight, so it won’t cost you a penny to run a clean and healthy pond for your fish.
If you are looking for high-quality, affordable circulation and
filtration systems, visit Water-garden.co.uk.
Add Fish for Natural Maintenance
Many people might believe that fish will create a maintenance
problem in a pond, but they can actually do the opposite.
Fish can actually reduce maintenance in a pond, as they are known
to graze on the string algae and bottom feed along the pond’s floor.
So, if you want to add a pond to your garden, you should ensure it’s bursting with life by adding plenty of fish.
Embark with Seasonal Maintenance
Of course, a pond will need a little bit of maintenance to create a
healthier environment for both your koi fish and the planet.
For example, seasonal maintenance will require you to drain your pond completely.
You will also need to scrub your substrate and rockwork with a
pond scraper, or you could use another algae removal device.
Routine Maintenance
Routine maintenance can be a lot less laborious than seasonal maintenance.
It simply ensures the effective functioning of your filtration system,
and you’ll need to rinse both the biological and mechanical filter. You’ll also need to remove the pump for cleaning.
For example, you should remove each moving parts for cleaning,
and you should lubricate all gaskets.
As ponds are susceptible to limescale build-up, this can cause a
pump to stall or burn out, which can create unhealthy pond.
You must invest in a high-quality pond pump descaler, which
should be free from harmful acetic acid and chlorine additives. Also, don’t forget to check its pipes and tubing for cracks, leaks, and weak spots.
How much does it cost to build a koi pond?
A shallow 4′ x 6′ or 6′ x 8′ professionally-installed pond, including
excavation, liner, filtration system, and simple rock border might cost $2,000 to $3,500. As a DIY project, the same pond might cost $500 to $1,000. Larger ponds, depending on features and equipment, can easily cost $5,000 to $15,000 or more.
What is the minimum size for a koi pond?
A pond for goldfish or water lilies need be only about 2 feet deep for zones 5 or greater.
Ponds built in colder areas may need more depth to keep the pond from freezing solid.
Ponds built for koi should be close to three feet or deeper to allow these larger fish enough space.
How much space does a koi fish need?
Koi should be stocked based on a reasonable estimate of their full growth, not on their size at purchase.
Most well-maintained ponds will support 1″ of fish per ten gallons of water.
Though some koi in the largest ponds will grow to 36″, we recommend using an average of 21″.
different types of goldfish How to take care 15 different goldfish breeds you need to know
types of goldfish
Types of Goldfish (goldfish breeds)
Undoubtedly the most widely kept of all fish, goldfish exist in a far wider range of colors than their name implies.
Goldfish are suitable for both home aquariums and ponds, although the different color forms vary in terms of
their hardiness and not all are suited to be kept outdoors all year in temperate areas.
Goldfish are members of the carp family, but unlike most fish in this group, they lack any barbels around the mouth.
This characteristic allows them to be distinguished at a glance from koi. you can check out this blog post about the difference between a koi vs goldfish
Hardy Goldfish Types goldfish breeds
A body shape that has an elongated flattened football shape include: the Common, the Comet, Shubunkin. (good breeds for an outdoor goldfish pond).
The common, comet and shubunkin look very similar in shape and colors.
The comet has longer fins and most notably its tail fin is much longer.
The common doesn’t come in calico but the comet and shubunkin do.
The shubunkin is only calico so if it’s calico with short fins, it can’t be a common.
common goldfish (Carassius auratus) can become tame in both pond and aquarium surroundings.
They may live for more than 40 years—far longer than most other pond and aquarium fish.
Common Goldfish This is not only the most popular goldfish variety, but also the hardest and potentially the largest.
It occurs in a range of colors, but solid (“self-colored”) fish are usually preferred.
Good specimens display body symmetry, with even curves on the upper and lower body.
A short, broad caudal peduncle and a wide, slightly forked caudal fin make common goldfish strong swimmers.
These fish can survive in frozen ponds for short periods provided the water is deep enough for them to avoid becoming trapped in the ice itself.
Red-and-White Common Goldfish
Red-and-White Common Goldfish The white areas of these variably patterned fish have a silvery sheen.
White Common Goldfish
White Common Goldfish This variety, sometimes called the Pearl, is less popular than its colored cousin, but it
proves to be equally hardy.
Common Goldfish These fish vary from yellow through bright orange to a deep blood-red.
In exceptional circumstances, they may reach over 24 in (60 cm) long.
comet goldfish
This elegant variety originated in the United States during the late 1800s. It is distinguished by its slim, streamlined body and its deeply forked caudal fin, which should be longer than the body when fully extended.
Comets are usually variegated in color; the most popular variety is the Sarasa, which is easily recognizable by the
deep red-and-white patterning extending over the body and fins.
Comets are active by nature,and require a spacious aquarium if kept indoors.
They will thrive in pond surroundings, although they may prove vulnerable to fin congestion during periods of severe cold weather.
Comet The Comet’s caudal and dorsal fins are greatly enlarged. This individual displays some chocolate body patterning.
comet goldfish sarasa
Sarasa Orange may replace the more common red color of these fish. The variegated patterning
differs widely among individuals.
PIGMENTATION AND SHEEN
The protective scles on a goldfish form part of the outer layer of the body known as the epidermis.
Beneath this is a layer called the dermis, which itself overlies layers of fat and muscle.
Distributed among these layers are the pigments that give goldfish their vibrant skin colors.
These include reddish-orange and yellow pigments known as lipochromes, and melanin, a black pigment.
Lipochromes usually occur in the upper layers, but the location of the black pigment is more variable.
If melanin is present just below the scales, the goldfish looks jet black; if located in the lower layers, the fish looks blue (for example, the Blue Pom-Pon, bottom right).
When both types of pigment are present in different layers, this creates chocolate or coppery shades.
A goldfish that completely lacks pigmentation is silvery in color.
Another factor influencing the appearance of goldfish is the presence in the dermis of cells known as iridocytes.
These cells are normally distributed over the entire body, giving goldfish, such as the Blue Pom-Pom, a
shiny appearance.
However, the upper iridocytes are missing in some goldfish varieties. In such cases, the lower level of cells has a direct effect
Blue Pom-Pom
ORIGINS AND ANCESTRY
Goldfish are descended from carp that were kept in China about 1,700 years ago.
The first records of orange-marked carp date back to AD 300, but it was only from around AD 800, during the Sung Dynasty, that people started to breed these colorful cyprinids for ornamental purposes.
Goldfish feature
prominently in oriental literature and many other forms of art, including ceramics, and it is possible to track their early development from such sources.
Ancestral lines displaying many of the features seen in today’s varieties, including telescope-eyes, were well-established by 1600, as were numerous color variants, including some with variegated coloring.
The different body shapes and fin types that characterize many of the modern varieties were also beginning to emerge by the early 17th century.
Goldfish were imported to Japan in the 16th century, where still more varieties were bred, but it was to be another 200 years before they became available in the West.
They soon became highly sought-after, as the pond fish of first choice for the estates of the European aristocracy, and were kept in decorative bowls in grand houses.
Rather surprisingly, they did not reach North America until 1874. Nevertheless, their popularity grew so rapidly there that the first commercial goldfish breeding farm was established in the United States just 15 years later.
shubunkin goldfish
This popular variety is very close in appearance to the Common Goldfish.
This is especially so in the case of the London Shubunkin, which has an identical body, and differs only in terms of the arrangement of its iridocytes.
This particular variety was developed by London breeders during the 1920s, by which time enthusiasts in the U.S. had already created the long-tailed American Shubunkin.
In due course, the two varieties were crossed by breeders of the Bristol Aquarist Society in western England, creating the Bristol Shubunkin—a very distinctive and different form with large, flowing lobes on its caudal fin, which must not be allowed to droop.
Shubunkin coloration is generally very variable, but the orange areas tend to be paler than those of Common Goldfish.
They may also display dark speckling, as well as bluish shades that range from pale-whitish through to violet.
Darkly marked Shubunkins are highly attractive when seen at close range, but they are less conspicuous in ponds unless the water is particularly clear.
American Shubunkin The caudal fin lobes of this variety are much narrower than those of the Bristol Shubunkin;
they are tapering rather than rounded in shape.
Fancy Types of Goldfish goldfish breeds
An egg shape body shape are considered the fancy breeds and can include: Fantail, Ryukin, Veiltail, Oranda, Telescope,Black Moor, Panda Butterfly, Ranchu, lionhead, Pompon, Pearlscale, Hama Nishki, Celestial and Bubble-Eye.
The mature oranda, ranchu and lionhead has a wart like wen hood cover over its face and head
The oranda has a dorsal fin and the lionhead and most ranchu don’t.
The ranchu has a prominent arch in its back and downward pointed tail fins.
The lionhead and oranda have a straighter back line.
A goldfish with a hood cover with a straight back and no dorsal fin is a lionhead.
The fantail, ryukin and veiltail have similar egg shaped bodies with no distinct features like a hood cover or globe eyes
The fantail and ryukin have sturdy upright fins and tails.
The ryukin has a more prominent hump that the dorsal fin sits on than the fantail.
The veiltail has long flowing fins and tail.
The telescope, black moor and panda butterfly have their eyes on the sides of ball like protuberances
A black moor is a telescope/globe-eye but is only black or faded black in color.
The panda butterfly resembles the colors of a panda bear, clear sections of black and white.
The pearlscale and hama nishiki have a golf ball body shape with scales that stand out like little white domes
the hama nishiki has a slight hood cover on top of its head while the pearlscale does not.
The celestial has bulging eyes that point upward and no dorsal fin.
The bubble eye has two bubble shaped check pouches
pearlscale goldfish
pearlscale goldfish
This ancient Chinese variety can be identified by its rotund body, double caudal fins, and pearl-like markings on the sides of its body.
Each scale has a raised whitish center, making it look as if a pearl is embedded in it.
The variegated red-and-white form is the most common Pearlscale goldfish, but there is a also nacreous variety that resembles the Shubunkin in coloration.
Pearlscales goldfish are not strong swimmers, and are usually kept in aquariums rather than ponds, where their distinctive appearance is easier to appreciate.
ryukin goldfish
ryukin goldfish
The most obvious feature of this goldfish is the hump between the dorsal fin and the head.
The body is relatively short and deep, the dorsal fin is tall, and the elongated caudal fin is divided to form a double tail.
Ryukins are generally brightly colored, with a deep-red and white coloration being the preferred form.
The markings on these goldfish should be symmetrical as far as possible.
Chocolate (coppery) individuals are often recognized as a separate form, the Tetsuonaga, especially in Japan.
Tetsuonagas have a reputation for both hardiness and the quality of their fin shape, so they are useful in Ryukin breeding.
The Ryukin is named after Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, where the ancestors of this goldfish were first introduced from China.
Orange-and-White Ryukin Ryukins have either normal eyes, as shown in this largely orange form, or, occasionally, telescope-eyes.
Calico Ryukin Nacreous patterning is not common in double-tailed goldfish but is seen in the Ryukin.
Calico Ryukins often have bold, contrasting markings.
wakin goldfish
wakin goldfish
This form displays a variegated pattern of orange and white body markings.
The vibrantly colored areas, which can vary from yellow through to reddish-orange, should extend around the body
so that the white areas do not predominate.
Purewhite wakin goldfish, which occasionally occur, are not favored by breeders.
Although the reflective metallic form is the most common, a nacreous variety also exists.
The wakin goldfish has a body shape similar to the Common Goldfish, but it can be instantly distinguished by its double caudal fin.wakin goldfish are lively by nature, and grow rapidly; fish reared in ponds can reach 8 in (20 cm) in
length by three years of age.
Jikin
Descended from Japanese Wakin stock, the Jikin is often known in the West as the Peacock Tail.
The raised upper lobes of its double caudal fin form an X-shape when viewed from behind.
The Jikin’s body should be mainly silvery, with red areas restricted to the fins and around the lips.
However, breeding Jikins with this desired arrangement of markings and a well-balanced caudal fin shape always proves difficult, even when the parent fish are both well-marked and from a long-established line.
Black Moor
The matt-black color of the Black Moor is highly distinctive, as is its corpulent body shape.
This goldfish is a telescope-eye variety, with eyes extending out from the sides of the head.
The Black Moor is a selective color form of the Veiltail Although developed in the UK, it is now kept worldwide.
These fish are not very hardy, and are better suited to an aquarium than an outdoor pond, especially through the winter (in temperate areas).
Their coloration makes for an attractive contrast with brightly colored goldfish.
lionhead goldfish
The absence of a dorsal fin is a key feature of the Lionhead.
The result is a smooth back that curves gently to the double caudal fin, the curvature accentuated by the fish’s relatively long body.
As Lionheads grow older, they develop a distinctive hood that covers the entire head area.
The headgrowth or hood (also known as wen or crown) may be a prominent growth on the top of the head (cranial region) or may encase the whole head except for the eyes and mouth
This usually starts to become evident at the very top of the head, and takes several years to develop to its full extent, when it has a raspberry-like appearance.
The hood is more developed in this variety than in any other.
Lionheads exist in a wide range of colors, although solid colors such as orange are most commonly seen.
They do not thrive at high temperatures, nor are they hardy in temperate areas.
Blue Lionhead When fully grown, the hood should cover the entire head, encircling the eyes.
The head has a wide appearance when viewed from above.
Oranda goldfish
The dorsal fin on the back of an Oranda allows it to be distinguished at a glance from other types of hooded goldfish.
The Oranda also has a longer body shape and is a more powerful swimmer.
The hood, or wen as it is called in Japan, is normally restricted to the top of the head, extending back over the eyes. In mature individuals, the area between the folds of the hood may appear whitish.
Although this can look like a sign of disease, it is actually an accumulation of the protective mucus produced by the fish’s body.
The coloration of these goldfish is sometimes unstable, just as it can be in other hooded varieties.
This is particularly true of blackand- orange individuals, in which the orange areas often become more
prominent over time.
Blue Oranda In this increasingly popular color variety, the underparts are usually a lighter shade.
Ranchu goldfish
Sporting a hood similar to the Lionhead’s, the Ranchu is the Japanese counterpart of that ancient Chinese breed.
The Ranchu can be differentiated from the Lionhead by its shorter, more steeply curved body.
As with Lionheads, not all Ranchus display smooth body curvature from head to tail, and an individual with slight humps along its back is considered to be seriously flawed.
The double caudal fin may be only partially divided. In Ranchus of the highest quality, the top edge of the caudal
fin should ideally form an angle of 90 degrees with the caudal peduncle.
Ranchus, which are also known as Buffaloheads, are the most popular Japanese goldfish.
Four principal founding lines are recognized, each of which is named after its creator.
The dominant variety is the Ishikawa lineage; the others are Sakuri, Uno, and Takahashi.
All these forms display a hood, but some less-common varieties lack this feature.
They include the Osaka Ranchu, named after its city of origin, which also has a more rounded body. Another hoodless variety is the Nankin Ranchu, from the Shimane area of Japan, a silvery-white fish with red gill covers, lips, and fins.
In addition, there is the rare Nacreous Ranchu, also called the Edonishiki, in which the hood is poorly developed.
Red-and-White Ranchu A mature individual with hood growth on the side of the face is described as okame (the
name of a Japanese theatrical mask indicating a fat girl).
Red Ranchu All the Ranchu’s fins are relatively short; the caudal fin is carried high. The hood has yet to develop in
the young specimen shown above.
Veiltail goldfish
The elegant fins of the Veiltail are easily damaged,so this goldfish should be housed in a spacious aquarium—free from obstructions such as large rocks—rather than in a pond.
The long caudal fin of the Veiltail is fully divided, so that it hangs down in folds.
The dorsal fin is tall, and in a well-proportioned Veiltail it should match the height of the body.
The overall body shape of this variety is rounded rather than elongated.
The anal fin is paired and relatively long, and tends to flow vertically when the fish is swimming.
In addition to individuals with normal eyes, telescope-eye examples of this variety are not uncommon.
The breed was developed from Ryukin stock by American breeders around
Philadelphia in the late 1800s
Celestial goldfish names
Actual video of celestial eye golfish
Selective breeding of the goldfish has brought into being numerous variations in eye shape.
The Celestial has eyes that protrude very obviously.
They are not on the sides of the head, as in most goldfish, but rather in a semihorizontal plane so that they point upward, as if toward the stars (hence the name).
The fry hatch with a normal eye arrangement, but the eyes rotate and shift position soon afterward.
The bodies of these goldfish are relatively elongated, and they have slightly curved backs, with no dorsal fins.
Both metallic and nacreous forms of the Celestial exist.
bubble eye goldfish
This unmistakable variety is characterized by the presence of large, bubblelike sacs under its eyes.
As in the case of Celestials, Bubble-Eyes have a long body shape, lack a dorsal fin, and have a double caudal fin.
Symmetry is a very important feature of this variety, with the sacs ideally being equal in size and shape.
These fluid-filled sacs wobble when the fish swims, and become compressed when it searches for food on the floor of the aquarium.
In a good specimen, the combined width of the bubbles and head should match that of the body. Bubble-Eyes
are only suitable for aquarium surroundings.
The tank setup needs to minimize the risk that the fish will damage their bubbles and provide them with plenty of swimming space.
Rockwork should not be included, and plants should be restricted to the back and sides of the tank. If a sac is accidentally punctured, it is likely to deflate.
can guppies live with goldfish
No Once the goldfish get large enough, they’ll eat (most of) the guppies, unless there are sufficient places for the guppies to hide from the goldfish.
(This rule generalizes to “When one fish fits inside the mouth of another fish, the first fish gets eaten.”)
There are many tanks that contain plastic dividers to keep your fish separate. Most goldfish are kind of herbivores. Usually goldies are the things eaten by other things when they are small.
But if your goldfish gets big enough I’m not promising it won’t eat other fish, it just might… Goldfish will eat insect larva and occasionally other fish if they are big enough and the prey is small enough.
They eat crustaceans some small invertebrates and plant material frequently. Small fish fry are likely to be eaten if the Goldie is hungry.
Gold fish are a pretty peaceful tank fish. They have different dietary needs than many other fish, so make sure all fish in your tank have their dietary needs met.
types of goldfish that can live together
Goldfish are easy to care for and fun to watch. But it’s essential that you understand which types can live together.
Although goldfish are more social than tropical fish, you could have compatibility issues if you place different types of goldfish together.
Types
The types of goldfish include flat-body and egg-shaped, such as fancy goldfish. Egg-shaped goldfish cannot live with flat-body goldfish.
Warnings
Egg-shaped goldfish are slow swimmers, and many fancies have trouble seeing. Flat-body goldfish will consume all the food before the egg-shaped ones realize you dropped food in the aquarium.
Identification
Egg-shaped or fancy goldfish look round like eggs and have decorative, long fins. Some fancies have bulbous heads or eyes, like the celestial bubble-eye and the black moor. Flat-body goldfish have slim, streamlined bodies and swim quickly. They include the common goldfish and comets.
Environment
All types of goldfish can survive in an unheated, indoor aquarium.
Temperament
All goldfish are social. However, flat-body goldfish may bully the egg-shaped fancies if the aquarium is too small and the fish are competing for space and food. learn more
goldfish types for ponds
The outdoor pond in your yard will let you observe your goldfish in a natural setting. In establishing and maintaining a goldfish pond, be aware that the aquatic habitat needs of goldfish species vary. Some are tolerant of temperature changes, others are not. Also, not all species make good pond mates: Some species do not swim well with others.
Wakin
This slender-bodied fish featuring bright red and crisp white colors is not the most popular selection for outdoor ponds. This native of China grows up to 18 inches — pretty large for a pond goldfish. Today’s pet-store version of the wakin is a descendent of the Chinese gibel carp. He is a friendly fish who quickly begins to surface once he learns regular feeding times. He will overwinter provided you keep a hole allowing for the exchange of oxygen drilled through the ice. This is necessary because the fish does not hibernate. He is a fast swimmer: Best pond mates are shubunkin or comet goldfish.
Comet
Comet goldfish feature yellow, orange, red or white solid-colored bodies. They are highly hardy: They can survive for 10 to 15 years in outdoor ponds with water temperatures kept between 65 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. They are a single-tail fish who grow 6 to 10 inches in length.
Shubunkin
The shubunkin goldfish is a favorite with outdoor pond enthusiasts due to a flexible yet hearty appetite that readily accepts most food sources, with vegetable-based selections being more nutritious choices. This fish features attractive calico-style patterns with mixtures of red, brown, orange and yellow colors combined with black spots. A native of Japan, this fish is an excellent match for most goldfish species other than the telescope and the bubble-eye, who swim at much slower speeds.
Black Moor
As indicated by his namesake, the black moor sports black as his only coloring. But that does not mean his appearance is dull. Instead, his scales have a velvety look that glistens in the water — particularly when sunlight penetrates. His protruding eyes don’t offer the best vision. He is best off with other visually challenged species such as the telescope and the bubble-eye. Don’t place any sharp-edged decoration in the pond, as these can cut his eyes.
Fantail
The fantail species is an acceptable yet slightly challenging choice for beginners. He is hardy and will tolerate a few missed feedings but not being left for extended periods in cold water. He needs to come inside during the winter in northern climates. This fish grows to 6 to 8 inches and lives up to 10 years.
Ryunkin
The ryunkin was developed from the fantail and carries over many of his ancestor’s tolerant qualities: He isn’t a picky eater. He will consume nearly anything offered to him and even things such as aquarium plants that were not intended to be on the menu. These fish will live 10 to 15 years and grow 6 to 8 inches in length. His best pond mates are oranda, fantail or black moor goldfish. He should not be paired with single-tail varieties such as shubunkin or comet goldfish.
Oranda
The oranda offers outdoor pond enthusiasts the best of both worlds: Color variety and a visually appealing body style. His coloration is a plethora of color options from red, black, calico, chocolate, deep blue and a red/white combination on either metallic or matte scales. His body features a hood or fleshy growth at the top of his head. This growth is not fully developed until he reaches 2 years of age. But once matured, the hood is his defining feature. He does not tolerate cold or dirty water conditions, making him a more challenging keeper. read further here https://animals.mom.me/varieties-goldfish-suitable-outdoor-ponds-4693.html
best goldfish food
There are so many different brands of goldfish food on the market, ranging from cans of dry food to packages of freeze-dried blood worms.
But be careful! Some brands use tons of cheap fillers in their goldfish food – fillers that don’t actually add real nutritional value. In the end, your goldfish is getting less nutrition with every bite!
Stay away.
While most commercial brands do strive to provide a balanced diet your goldfish need to stay healthy, the level of nutrients actually in goldfish food will vary. By simply looking at the ingredients on the back of the can, you can get a feel of how one brand compares with the next. And later, your goldfish will thank you with vibrant colors and years of entertainment.
To start with, there are several different types of food you can buy. Dry food (including flakes, pellets, sticks, and wafers) are the most used and marketed goldfish food available.
Dry Goldfish Food
Simply browse through the fish aisle at your local pet store, and you’ll see dozens of commercial goldfish food cans on display, most of which are dry food. Some are specially formulated to sink in the water, while others naturally float at the top of the aquarium.
Flakes are known to float at the water surface, while pellets often sink to the gravel below (though not always – you can buy pellets that float as well).
So which should you buy – floating flakes or sinking pellets?
Goldfish graze at both the top and bottom of the aquarium. Though, they do spend most of their time energetically sifting through the substrate for any tasty tidbits they might have missed. Unless your goldfish are sick or sensitive to buoyancy problems, both floating and sinking food will do just fine.
If you have sensitive fancy goldfish, I highly recommend soaking dry food before feeding. Dry food expands as it absorbs water. If your goldfish eats a pellet before it expands, intestines may get clogged. To make goldfish food easier to digest, simply fill a cup with aquarium water and soak the dry food for 5 to 10 seconds before feeding. Green veggies can also help digestion (we’ll talk more about these later).
Sick goldfish will usually only touch food that sinks to the bottom.
It’s always good to have sinking pellets on hand to make sure all of your fishy friends get a bite. Since floating dry food can cause goldfish to suck in packets of air, some fish hobbyists only offer their goldfish sinking pellets to avoid problems – like buoyancy and swim bladder issues (which fancy goldfish are especially prone to).
Floating dry food has its advantages though. Flakes and floating pellets are easier to manage. Since they can be quickly removed after the feeding period, they won’t accidentally get caught under rocks and pollute the water.
Ultimately the brand of goldfish food you choose is up to you. If you have trouble making up your mind, you can always feed your goldfish both floating flakes and sinking pellets (variety is always a good way to go). full article here
What kind of fish can live with goldfish?
Goldfish rarely prey on rosy barbs and live harmoniously with them.
If you have a large tank, loaches do well with goldfish because they
also thrive in cool water and grow too large to be considered prey. Zebra danios will cohabitate with common goldfish, but are too
small to be kept with fancy or larger varieties.
Can I put two goldfish in the same tank?
A goldfish tank needs AT THE MINIMUM 10 – 20 gallons per fish. Plus, bowls do not allow for filtration which is a MUST. In a bowl, a goldfish may live a max of a few years.
In a properly sized tank, they grow to be up to 12 inches long, not counting the fins!
What size tank do I need for 2 goldfish?
Recommended goldfish tank sizes: Fancy goldfish: 3 feet long and a
volume of at least 20 gallons for one goldfish.
If you plan to keep more than one goldfish in your tank then add an extra 10 gallons for each additional fish. Common goldfish: 4 feet long and a volume of at least 30 gallons
How many gallons does a goldfish need?
Too much amonia in a tank is deadly to fish. The rule most experts suggest is 20 gallons for one goldfish and 10 gallons more per other goldfish. I have a 40 gallon goldfish tank with only 3 fantail goldfish in it.
Reference from Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond fish D Alderton DK 208
