| These multi colored beauties will give your family | | | | The most important part of keeping the best quality |
| endless hours of enjoyment. Koi, Cyprinus carpio, is a | | | | stock is understanding and properly using Koi pond |
| colorful variety of the common carp. Koi fish are | | | | supplies. Maintain your pond regularly to keep it free |
| gorgeous and amazing to watch. Koi will reach over | | | | of debris. To decrease the risk of having water |
| eighteen inches in a few years, and grow up to three | | | | quality problems, use a pump and filter system |
| feet in length. | | | | throughout the year. Using a pond heater prevents |
| Koi are a durable fish from Japan. Koi live longer and | | | | sores, diseases, and guards against temperature |
| are bigger than goldfish, some weighing over forty | | | | changes. Without a heater, Koi will drop to the |
| pounds. These fish have an average lifespan of | | | | bottom of the pond and remain inactive. |
| twenty years. There are reports of Koi living | | | | Koi should be fed daily. There is special Koi pellet |
| hundreds of years. The fish come in a display of | | | | food to feed your fish. Koi food is nutritionally |
| bright colors such as orange, yellow, white, red, and | | | | balanced, and floats to encourage the fish to the |
| black. You can find fantail koi, which have long draping | | | | surface. They also enjoy a bit of variety. Koi will |
| fins and tails. | | | | often eat peas, lettuce, and watermelons. Koi will |
| In order to know how to care for Koi, you need to | | | | recognize the person feeding them and gather |
| know what factors to consider in terms of pond | | | | around at feeding times. They can be trained to take |
| design, pond size and depth, and pond construction | | | | food from your hand. |
| before you build your own Koi fishpond. A Japanese | | | | Take extra precaution for the safety of your fish |
| or Oriental design is popular in Koi ponds. Features like | | | | against wildlife. There are nets or motion detectors |
| a waterfall or fountain are an attractive addition. A | | | | to protect your fish from harm. The Koi's bright |
| pond measuring 10 X 10 feet is recommended to hold | | | | colors put them at a severe disadvantage against |
| up to three koi fish. Koi require deeper water than | | | | predators. Raccoons, cats, foxes, and badgers would |
| other pond fish. Do not overcrowd the pond because | | | | like to make a meal of your Koi fish. |
| Koi need a large enough area to swim. Smooth rocks | | | | Koi are some of the most colorful fish in the world. |
| will keep them from being injured when they spawn | | | | They are symbols of love and friendship in Japan. Koi |
| on the bottom of your pond. Koi have been called | | | | are believed to bring good luck or fung shui in |
| the 'rabbit of the river'. Each female can lay | | | | Chinese culture. You will receive decades of pleasure |
| thousands of eggs in a season. | | | | from knowing how to care for Koi. |