From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Koi
Koi
Nishikigoi mesticated in East Asia, where they were used as food
fish. The ability of carp to survive and adapt to many
climates and water conditions allowed the domesticated
species to be propagated to many new locations, includ-
ing Japan. Natural color mutations of these carp would
have occurred across all populations. Carp were first bred
for color mutations in China more than a thousand years
ago, where selective breeding of the Prussian carp (Caras-
sius gibelio) led to the development of the goldfish.[3]
The common carp was aquacultured as a food fish at
least as far back as the fifth century in China.[4] The com-
mon carp was also known to have been aquacultured in
Europe by the Roman Empire, which could have spanned
a time period of 27 BC to 400 AD.[4] Common carp were
first bred for color in Japan in the 1820s, initially in the
Conservation status
town of Ojiya in the Niigata prefecture on the north-
Domesticated eastern coast of Honshu island. By the 20th century, a
Scientific classification
number of color patterns had been established, most no-
tably the red-and-white Kohaku. The outside world was
Kingdom: Animalia not aware of the development of color variations in koi
Phylum: Chordata until 1914, when the Niigata koi were exhibited in the an-
nual exposition in Tokyo. At that point, interest in koi ex-
Class: Actinopterygii ploded throughout Japan. The hobby of keeping koi even-
Order: Cypriniformes tually spread worldwide. They are now commonly sold in
most pet stores, with higher-quality fish available from
Family: Cyprinidae
specialist dealers.[5][6]
Genus: Cyprinus Extensive hybridization between different popula-
tions has muddled the historical zoogeography of the
Species: C. carpio
common carp. However, scientific consensus is that
Subspecies: C. c. haematopterus there are at least two subspecies of the common carp,
Trinomial name
one from Western Eurasia (Cyprinus carpio carpio) and an-
other from East Asia (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus).[7]
Cyprinus carpio haematopterus[1] One recent study on the mitochondrial DNA of various
(Linnaeus, 1758)
common carp indicate that koi are of the East Asian sub-
species.[7] However, another recent study on the mito-
Koi (鯉, English /ˈkɔɪ/, Japanese: [koꜜi]) or more specifically chondrial DNA of koi have found that koi are descended
nishikigoi (錦鯉, [niɕi̥kiꜜɡo.i], literally "brocaded carp"), from multiple lineages of common carp from both
are ornamental varieties of domesticated common carp Western Eurasian and East Asian varieties.[8] This could
(Cyprinus carpio) that are kept for decorative purposes in be the result of koi being bred from a mix of East Asian
outdoor koi ponds or water gardens. and Western Eurasian carp varieties, or being bred exclu-
Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, pattern- sively from East Asian varieties and being subsequently
ing, and scalation. Some of the major colors are white, hybridized with Western Eurasian varieties (the butterfly
black, red, yellow, blue, and cream. The most popular cat- koi is one known product of such a cross). Which is true
egory of koi is the Gosanke, which is made up of the Ko- has not been resolved.
haku, Taisho Sanshoku, and Showa Sanshoku varieties.[2]
History Etymology
The word koi comes from Japanese, simply meaning
Carp are a large group of fish originally found in Central "carp". It includes both the dull grey fish and the brightly
Europe and Asia. Various carp species were originally do-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Koi
colored varieties. What are known as koi in English are • Chagoi (茶鯉), "tea-colored", this koi can range in
referred to more specifically as nishikigoi in Japan (literal- color from pale olive-drab green or brown to copper
ly meaning "brocaded carp"). In Japanese, koi is a homo- or bronze and more recently, darker, subdued
phone for another word that means "affection" or "love"; orange shades. Famous for its docile, friendly
koi are, therefore, symbols of love and friendship in Ja- personality and large size, it is considered a sign of
pan. An example of this can be seen in the short story good luck among koi keepers.
by Mukōda Kuniko, "Koi-san". The koi is also an often re- • Asagi (浅葱) koi is light blue above and usually red
curring symbol in Irezumi, the Japanese art of traditional below, but also occasionally pale yellow or cream,
tattooing.[9] generally below the lateral line and on the cheeks.
The Japanese name means pale greenish-blue, spring
Varieties onion colour, or indigo. Sometimes it is incorrectly
written as 浅黄 (light yellow).
Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, patterning, • Utsurimono (写り者) is a black koi with a white, red,
and scalation. Some of the major colors are white, black, or yellow markings, in a zebra colour pattern. The
red, yellow, blue, and cream. While the possible colors oldest attested form is the yellow form, called "black
are virtually limitless, breeders have identified and and white markings" (黒黄斑, Kuro ki han) in the
named a number of specific categories. The most popular 19th century, but renamed Ki Utsuri (黄写り) by
Gosanke,
category is Gosanke which is made up of the Kohaku, Elizaburo Hoshino, an early 20th-century koi
Taisho Sanshoku, and Showa Sanshoku varieties. breeder. The red and white versions are called Hi
New koi varieties are still being actively developed. Utsuri (赤写り) and Shiro Utsuri (白写り),
Ghost koi developed in the 1980s have become very pop- respectively. The word utsuri means to print (the
ular in the United Kingdom; they are a hybrid of wild black markings are reminiscent of ink stains).
carp and Ogon koi, and are distinguished by their metal- Genetically, it is the same as Showa, but lacking
lic scales. Butterfly koi (also known as longfin koi, or either red pigment (Shiro Utsuri) or white pigment
dragon carp), also developed in the 1980s, are notable for (Hi Utsuri/Ki Utsuri).
their long and flowing fins. They are hybrids of koi with • Bekko (鼈甲) is a white-, red-, or yellow-skinned koi
Asian carp. Butterfly koi and ghost koi are considered by with black markings sumi (墨). The Japanese name
some to be not true nishikigoi.[citation needed] means "tortoise shell," and is commonly written as
The major named varieties include: べっ甲. The white, red, and yellow varieties are
• Kōhaku (紅白) is a white-skinned koi, with large red called Shiro Bekko (白), Aka Bekko (赤) and Ki Bekko
markings on the top. The name means "red and (黄), respectively. It may be confused with the Utsuri.
white"; kohaku was the first ornamental variety to be • Goshiki (五色) is a dark koi with red (Kohaku style) hi
established in Japan (late 19th century).[10] pattern. The Japanese name means "five colours". It
• Taishō Sanshoku (or Taisho Sanke) (大正三色) is very appears similar to an Asagi, with little or no hi below
similar to the kohaku, except for the addition of small the lateral line and a Kohaku Hi pattern over
black markings called sumi (墨). This variety was first reticulated (fishnet pattern) scales. The base color
exhibited in 1914 by the koi breeder Gonzo Hiroi, can range from nearly black to very pale, sky blue.
during the reign of the Taisho Emperor.[citation needed] • Shūsui (秋翠) means "autumn green"; the Shūsui was
In America, the name is often abbreviated to just created in 1910 by Yoshigoro Akiyama（秋山 吉五
"Sanke". The kanji, 三色, may be read as either 郎）, by crossing Japanese Asagi with German mirror
sanshoku or as sanke. carp.[citation needed] The fish has no scales, except for a
• Shōwa Sanshoku (or Showa Sanke) (昭和三色) is a single line of large mirror scales dorsally, extending
black koi with red (hi 赤) and white (shiroji 白地) from head to tail. The most common type of Shūsui
markings. The first Showa Sanke was exhibited in have a pale, sky-blue/gray color above the lateral
1927, during the reign of the Showa Emperor. In line and red or orange (and very, very rarely bright
America, the name is often abbreviated to just yellow) below the lateral line and on the cheeks.
"Showa". The amount of shiroji on Showa Sanke has • Kinginrin (金銀鱗) is a koi with metallic (glittering,
increased in modern times (Kindai Showa 近代昭和), metal-flake-appearing) scales. The name translates
to the point that it can be difficult to distinguish into English as "gold and silver scales"; it is often
from Taisho Sanke. The kanji, 三色, may be read as abbreviated to Ginrin. There are Ginrin versions of
either sanshoku or as sanke. almost all other varieties of koi, and they are
• Tanchō (丹頂) is any koi with a solitary red patch on fashionable. Their sparkling, glittering scales contast
its head. The fish may be a Tancho Showa, Tancho to the smooth, even, metallic skin and scales seen in
Sanke, or even Tancho Goshiki. It is named for the the Ogon varieties. Recently, these characteristics
Japanese crane (Grus japonensis), which also has a red
spot on its head.
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Koi
have been combined to create the new ginrin Ogon • Ghost koi（人面魚、じんめんぎょ, a hybrid of
varieties. Ogon and wild carp with metallic scales, is considered
• Kawarimono (変わり者) is a "catch-all" term for koi by some to be not nishikigoi.
that cannot be put into one of the other categories. • Butterfly koi（鰭長錦鯉、ひれながにしきごい）
This is a competition category, and many new is a hybrid of koi and Asian carp with long flowing
varieties of koi compete in this one category. It is fins. Various colorations depend on the koi stock
also known as kawarigoi (変わり鯉).[citation needed] used to cross. It also is considered by some to not be
• Ōgon (黄金) is a metallic koi of one color only nishikigoi.
(hikarimono 光者). The most commonly encountered • Doitsu-goi (ドイツ鯉) originated by crossbreeding
colors are gold, platinum, and orange. Cream numerous different established varieties with
specimens are very rare. Ogon compete in the "scaleless" German carp (generally, fish with only a
Kawarimono category and the Japanese name means single line of scales along each side of the dorsal fin).
"gold." The variety was created by Sawata Aoki in Also written as 独逸鯉, there are four main types of
1946 from wild carp he caught in 1921. Recently, the Doitsu scale patterns. The most common type
metallic-skinned Ogon is being crossed with ginrin- (referred to above) has a row of scales beginning at
scaled fish to create the ginrin Ogon with metallic the front of the dorsal fin and ending at the end of
skin and sparkling (metal flake) scales. the dorsal fin (along both sides of the fin). The
• Kumonryū (九紋竜) （literally "nine tattooed second type has a row of scales beginning where the
dragons"） is a black doitsu-scaled fish with curling head meets the shoulder and running the entire
white markings. The patterns are thought to be length of the fish (along both sides). The third type is
reminiscent of Japanese ink paintings of dragons. the same as the second, with the addition of a line of
They famously change colour with the (often quite large) scales running along the lateral
seasons.[citation needed] Kumonryu compete in the line (along the side) of the fish, also referred to as
Kawarimono category. "mirror koi". The fourth (and rarest) type is referred
• Ochiba (落葉) is a light blue/gray koi with copper, to as "armor koi" and are completely (or nearly)
bronze, or yellow (Kohaku-style) pattern, reminiscent covered with very large scales that resemble plates
of autumn leaves on water. The Japanese name of armor. They also are called Kagami-goi（鏡鯉、カ
means "fallen leaves". ガミゴイ, or mirror carp（ミラーカープ）.
• Koromo (衣) is a white fish with a Kohaku-style
pattern with blue or black-edged scales only over the
hi pattern. This variety first arose in the 1950s as a
Differences from goldfish
cross between a Kohaku and an Asagi.[citation needed]
The most commonly encountered Koromo is an Ai
Goromo, which is coloured like a Kohaku, except each
of the scales within the red patches has a blue or
black edge to it. Less common is the Budo-Goromo,
which has a darker (burgundy) hi overlay that gives
it the appearance of bunches of grapes. Very rarely
seen is the Tsumi-Goromo which is similar to Budo-
Goromo, but the hi pattern is such a dark burgundy
that it appears nearly black.
• Hikari-moyomono (光模樣者) is a koi with coloured
markings over a metallic base or in two metallic
colours.
• Kikokuryū（輝黒竜, literally "sparkle" or "glitter
black dragon"）is a metallic-skinned version of the
Kumonryu. Koi have prominent barbels on the lip that are not visible in
• Kin-Kikokuryū （金輝黒竜, literally "gold sparkle goldfish.
black dragon" or "gold glitter black dragon"）is a
metallic-skinned version of the Kumonryu with a Goldfish were developed in China more than a thousand
Kohaku-style hi pattern developed by Mr. Seiki years ago by selectively breeding Prussian carp for color
Igarashi of Ojiya City. There are (at least) six mutations. By the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279), yellow, or-
different genetic subvarieties of this general variety. ange, white and red-and-white colorations had been de-
veloped. Goldfish (Carassius auratus) and Prussian carp
(Carassius gibelio) are now considered different species.
Goldfish were introduced to Japan in the 16th century
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Koi
and to Europe in the 17th century.[3] Koi, on the other ter or more of depth in areas of the world that become
hand, were developed from common carp in Japan in the warm during the summer, whereas in areas that have
1820s. Koi are domesticated common carp (Cyprinus car- harsher winters, ponds generally have a minimum of 1.5
pio) that are selected or culled for color; they are not a meters (4½ feet). Specific pond construction has evolved
different species, and will revert to the original colora- by koi keepers intent on raising show-quality koi.
tion within a few generations if allowed to breed freely. Koi’s bright colors put them at a severe disadvantage
In general, goldfish tend to be smaller than koi, and against predators; a white-skinned Kohaku is a visual din-
have a greater variety of body shapes, and fin and tail ner bell against the dark green of a pond. Herons, king-
configurations. Koi varieties tend to have a common fishers, otters, raccoons, cats, foxes, badgers and hedge-
body shape, but have a greater variety of coloration and hogs are all capable of emptying a pond of its fish. A
color patterns. They also have prominent barbels on the well-designed outdoor pond will have areas too deep for
lip. Some goldfish varieties, such as the common goldfish, herons to stand, overhangs high enough above the water
comet goldfish and shubunkin have body shapes and col- that mammals cannot reach in, and shade trees overhead
oration that are similar to koi, and can be difficult to to block the view of aerial passers-by. It may prove nec-
tell apart from koi when immature. Since goldfish and essary to string nets or wires above the surface. A pond
koi were developed from different species of carp, even usually includes a pump and filtration system to keep the
though they can interbreed, their offspring are ster- water clear.
ile.[11][12] Koi are an omnivorous fish, and will eat a wide vari-
ety of foods, including peas, lettuce, and watermelon.[13]
Health, maintenance and Koi food is designed not only to be nutritionally balan-
ced, but also to float so as to encourage them to come to
longevity the surface. When they are eating, it is possible to check
koi for parasites and ulcers. Koi will recognize the per-
sons feeding them and gather around them at feeding
times. They can be trained to take food from one’s hand.
In the winter, their digestive systems slow nearly to a
halt, and they eat very little, perhaps no more than nib-
bles of algae from the bottom. Care should be taken by
hobbyists that proper oxygenation and off-gassing oc-
curs over the winter months in small water ponds, so
they do not perish. Their appetites will not come back
until the water becomes warm in the spring. When the
temperature drops below 50°F (10°C)[citation needed], feed-
ing, particularly with protein, is halted or the food can
spoil in their stomachs, causing sickness.
One famous scarlet koi, named "Hanako" (c. 1751 – Ju-
ly 7, 1977) was owned by several individuals, the last of
whom was Dr. Komei Koshihara. Hanako was supposed-
ly 226 years old upon her death, based on examining one
of her scales in 1966.[14][15] Koi "maximum longevity" is
listed as 47 years old.[16]
Breeding
Like most fish, koi reproduce through spawning in which
a female lays a vast number of eggs and one or more
males fertilize them. Nurturing the resulting offspring
(referred to as "fry") is a tricky and tedious job, usually
done only by professionals. Although a koi breeder may
Traditional Japanese garden with koi carefully select the parents they wish based on their de-
sired characteristics, the resulting fry will nonetheless
The common carp is a hardy fish, and koi retain that exhibit a wide range of color and quality.
durability. Koi are cold-water fish, but benefit from being Koi will produce thousands of offspring from a single
kept in the 15-25 °C (59-77°F) range, and do not react well spawning. However, unlike cattle, purebred dogs, or
to long, cold, winter temperatures; their immune sys- more relevantly, goldfish, the large majority of these off-
tems "turn off" below 10°C. Koi ponds usually have a me- spring, even from the best champion-grade koi, will not
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Koi
• Koi pond
• Culture of Japan
• Japanese aesthetics
Notes
[1] "Pictures available for Cyprinus carpio
haematopterus.". www.fishbase.org.
http://www.fishbase.org/photos/
thumbnailssummary.php?ID=1450. Retrieved
2010-10-31.
[2] "About Koi Fish". www.olympickoiclub.org.
http://www.olympickoiclub.org/aboutkoi.html.
Retrieved 2009-05-01.
Koi in an outdoor koi pond [3] ^ "Background information about goldfish".
http://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/goldfish/
be acceptable as nishikigoi (they have no interesting col- info/info.htm. Retrieved 2006-07-28.
ors) or may even be genetically defective. These unac- [4] ^ "History of common carp aquaculturing".
ceptable offspring are culled at various stages of devel- http://genimpact.imr.no/__data/page/7650/
opment based on the breeder’s expert eye and closely common_carp.pdf. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
guarded trade techniques. Culled fry are usually de- [5] "MPKS Ray Jordan Koi History". Ray Jordan.
stroyed or used as feeder fish (mostly used for feeding http://www.mpks.org/articles/RayJordan/
arowana due to the belief it will enhance its color), while KoiHistory3.shtml. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
older culls, within their first year between 3" to 6" long [6] "Early Records". Netpets.org.
(also called "Tosai"), are often sold as lower-grade, pond- http://www.netpets.org/fish/reference/freshref/
quality koi. nishi.html. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
The semirandomized result of the koi’s reproductive [7] ^ Grossa, Riho; Klaus Kohlmannb and Petra
process has both advantages and disadvantages for the Kerstenb (February 2002). "PCR–RFLP analysis of
breeder. While it requires diligent oversight to narrow the mitochondrial ND-3/4 and ND-5/6 gene
down the favorable result the breeder wants, it also polymorphisms in the European and East Asian
makes possible the development of new varieties of koi subspecies of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)".
within relatively few generations. Aquaculture (Elsevier) 204 (3–4): 507–516.
doi:10.1016/S0044-8486(01)00836-5.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/
In the wild science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T4D-448RDJS-1&_user=10&_rdoc
See also: Common carp [8] "Discovery of an ancient lineage of Cyprinus carpio
Koi have been accidentally or deliberately released into from Lake Biwa, central Japan, based on mtDNA
the wild in every continent except Antarctica. They sequence data, with reference to possible multiple
quickly revert to the natural coloration of common carp origins of koi
within a few generations. In many areas, they are consid- [9] http://www.freetattoodesigns.org/koi-fish-
ered an invasive species and pests. They greatly increase tattoos.html#japan
the turbidity of the water because they are constantly [10] Tamadachi M (1990). "Koi varieties". The Cult of the
stirring up the substrate. This makes waterways unat- Koi. Neptune City, New Jersey: TFH Publications.
tractive, reduces the abundance of aquatic plants, and p. 191. ISBN 0-86622-085-2.
can render the water unsuitable for swimming or drink- [11] "Aquatic-oasis articles". Aquatic-oasis.
ing, even by livestock. In some countries, koi have caused http://web.archive.org/web/20100622235948/
so much damage to waterways that vast amounts of mon- http://www.aquatic-oasis.com/articles.htm.
ey and effort have been spent trying to eradicate them, Retrieved 2012-2-2.
largely unsuccessfully.[17] [12] Exotic goldfish net
[13] Olympic Koi, Goldfish & Water Garden Club, "About
See also Koi Fish", 2004 outlines of koi diet and other
information
• Aquaculture [14] Barton, Laura (2007-04-12). "Will you still feed me
• Carp ... ?". London: The Guardian.
• Cyprinid http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/apr/12/
• Goldfish animalwelfare.world. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
5
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Koi
[15] "The story of Hanako". http://users.vcnet.com/ Hauppauge, New York: Barron’s Educational Series.
rrenshaw/hanako.html. ISBN 0-8120-3568-2.
[16] "AnAge entry for Cyprinus carpio". • David Twigg (2001). How to Keep Koi. New York:
http://genomics.senescence.info/species/ Howell Book House. ISBN 0-7645-6242-8.
entry.php?species=Cyprinus_carpio.
[17] USGS Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Program
External links and further
References readings
• Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2005). Media related to Koi at Wikimedia Commons
"Cyprinus carpio" in FishBase. 10 2005 version. • Feature article on treating sick fish, especially koi,
• George C. Blasiola (1995). Koi: everything about "Surgery to Scale", Cosmos Magazine
selection, care, nutrition, diseases, breeding, pond design • Koi in the NIWA Atlas
and maintenance, and popular aquatic plants. cj:hen
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Koi&oldid=474677678"
Categories:
• Domesticated animals
• Carp
• Cold-water aquarium fish
• Introduced freshwater fish of New Zealand
• Fish of East Asia
• Fish of Bangladesh
• Japanese words and phrases
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