What Is Koi

What Is Koi Phoenix AZ

Are you a koi fish enthusiast, fan or keeper? It won’t matter if you’re just starting with koi or a seasoned breeder, they always have something else to learn. Below are some interesting facts about koi, such as female koi’s are not only rounder, but larger than male koi fish.

Heritage of Koi

It is thought that the koi fish originated within China, later being used by Japanese as a food source, which started to breed koi during the 1800’s for aesthetic appeal. Koi in their many beautiful varieties that we see today, are descendants of a black fish known as Magoi, better known as the common carp. They date back almost twenty five hundred years originating from Eastern Asia – in the Azov, Caspian, Aral and Black Seas – and from parts of China. Contrary to common belief Koi did not originate in Japan. Koi were brought to Japan with the invading Chinese approximately 200 BC.

Popularity Contest

The most popular koi fish in Japan is the Kohaku, which is a white and red koi, also known best as the koi you start with and the koi you end with. It is also the most popular in the U. S., as well as the Showa Sanke, and Taisho Sanke. Ogan Koi is more prominent even in inadequately filtered ponds because of their single color can be seen even in cloudy water.

Smarty Fish

When it comes to intelligence, the koi are rather smart. Similar to cats and dogs, a koi fish can be trained to eat from your hand, or some train koi to eat from their mouths. As koi are omnivores, they are known for eating pond plants. Some species of koi are also known to recognize their owners’ faces.

Body Works

A Koi fish is able to grow to great lengths, up to 3 feet in ideal living conditions, such as a pond. However, if a pond is not deep enough, they can get sunburnt, and they need plenty of shade. Females are bigger than males, and koi do not have teeth. Ogon Koi is also the most favored by breeders because it is known to have a longer lifespan than multicolored Koi.

The Great Mate

In the process of mating, it is common for koi to eat their recently hatched young, known as koi fry. It is important to separate the koi fish from the koi fry during mating season to ensure the fry is preserved. If breeders are raising koi that are highly sought, it can bring thousands of dollars per koi. For a prized koi, $250,000 is not unheard of. Koi, like many other types of fish, koi breed by spawning.

The Great, Great, Great Grandpa Koi

Most popular in Japan, the Kohaku is a variety of white koi with red patches.

The oldest known koi recorded was a legendary koi by the name of Hanako, which was hatched in 1751 and passed away in 1977, making it 226 years old. That means this koi survived through Industrial America, French Revolution, the United States formation, inventions of the automobile and electricity industries, World War I, World War II, and well into the Vietnam War. However, the average lifespan of koi is 30 to 40 years.

Showing Age

Although Hanako survived 226 years, the age of the koi could not be detected by the naked eye. The scales of a koi fish are covered by microscopic growth marks, similar to the rings on a tree. These marks indicate patterns of food shortage or rapid growth. Environmental factors also have a hand in how long your koi will live. In established koi ponds the quality of care is also a factor. The breed type may also determine lifespan.

Representations

Various virtues are symbolized by koi fish within Asian cultures. Koi are recognized as being symbols of endurance, perseverance, individualism and strength. In many cultures, tattoos representing koi are not uncommon, representing the overcoming of adversity. Koi are also associated with wealth and success. In Japan festivals are held for their positive qualities with family strength and development.

Rainbow of Ideals

As koi are able to develop a wide range of colors, there are no surprises that every hue developed connotation. Metallic koi symbolize business success. Gold koi represent prosperity and wealth. Blue koi represents serenity, while Asagi koi of red, blue and grey color represent positivity. Black koi are considered to have patriarchal symbolism, with blue belonging to the son, red to the mother, and pink to the daughter.

Do you know any interesting facts about koi fish you would like to share? Leave a comment or send us message using the contact form!

Phoenix Koi Pond Pumps

Phoenix Koi Pond Pumps

Fish ponds of any kind can not exist without a pond pump. To have a healthy Koi fish pond you need a pump, and you need one that is the right size for your pond. Without a pump and filtration your pond can go from the star of your backyard landscaping show, to the murky monster in your backyard. It can develop offensive odors and even be harmful to your Koi fish.

Stagnant water is never good, whether its a body of water in the wilderness or your backyard. A pond pump gets that water moving again and forces it through your filter. The filtration system removes the debris and harmful build up of ammonia that develops from regular feedings and the waste from your Koi fish in Phoenix.

Seven Types of Pond Pumps

Depending on the size and design of your Koi fish pond you will need one of the seven pond pump designs. To get the most out of your pond make sure you get the right kind that will be able to keep up with the demand of your pond. This can be calculated by the gallons of water, and the load of fish. More densely populated Koi fish ponds benefit from greater water filtration and higher gallons per hour from the pond pump. Talk to your local Phoenix Koi fish pond expert to help with the exact size of pond pump you’ll need for your pond.

Submersible Pond Pumps

Like the name suggests a submersible pond pump is submerged in the pond water. They are naturally the easiest to install because they are simply hooked up to the waterfall or directly to a submersible filter. Once you’ve got it hooked up to one of those two things, and it’s in the water you just plug it in and you’re off to the races. The gallons per hour can vary drastically. The range of gallons per hour for these pumps can range anywhere from 50 gallons per hour to 50,000 gallons per hour.

For most backyard Koi fish ponds the pump need not be so extreme. Generally a submersible pond pump that helps filter 350 to 4,000 gallons per hour is enough. This is a simple way for you to keep your Phoenix Koi fish pond healthy and clean.

External Pond Pumps

For larger ponds external pond pumps are a must for your Koi fish. The first consideration is the effective filtration of the water for the health of the fish. The second benefit of a external pond pump is your pocket book. Submersible pumps tend to take more amps to run and actually cost you more electricity per month. In fact anything drawing over 10 amps will end up costing you a significant amount of money per month, so be wary when you are installing something that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Statuary Pumps

For small fountains, this is the ideal pump. It has a low head pressure, which means that water forced out will not rise more than 3 feet high. The statuary pump is mostly used for decorative purposes rather than to aerate the water inside the pond.

Debris Handling Pumps

Debris pumps are classified under the submersible category. The debris handling pump’s function is to rid the pond clear of debris and other materials, while also supplying water to any ornament inside the pond. As the inlet is larger than others, it is rare that the pump will be clogged by solid materials or other debris.

Solar Powered Pumps

In relation to more conventional pumps, solar powered pumps can be both submersible and external. One of the main differences from your typical pond pumps, as the name implies, is that they use the sun to power them. Thus they are environmentally friendly and safe to operate, as no electricity is involved. The one drawback with this type of pump is that it is limited to warm and sunny climates and if not supplied with a batter back, cannot operate on cloudy or rainy days.

Magnetic Drive Pumps

Magnetic drive pumps are pumps that are highly energy efficient. To circulate the pond’s water, the impeller uses electromagnetism, forcing the ponds water out. This type of pump is generally used for a waterfall effect or for pond ornaments and decorations.

Fountain Pumps

Purchase of these pump come as a set, which will contain the pump, the filter and the fountain itself. It is best to run fountain pumps for ornamental and display purposes only. Although they are long-lasting and very dependable, these pumps will wear out on occasion.

Phoenix Koi Pond Pumps
Phoenix Koi Fish Pond Pumps

If you already have a Koi pond or you are considering installing a Koi pond and would like some help with the design and budgeting considerations, talk to the Phoenix Koi pond experts in Peoria, AZ.

The Backyard Pond623-878-6695