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The spectacular koi Japanese fish has a history that can only be understood fully if actually seen with one’s own eyes. They are a large breed, sometimes growing to as long as 3 feet, and can live up to 30 years if properly taken care of. Records indicate that a koi even surpassed the lifetime of its owner, and was handed down from one caretaker to another, as it lived for more than 200 years! But what remains to be the best feature of a koi Japanese fish is its colors: the reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues and lavenders almost complete the color spectrum, and herein lies the mystery.  For the koi Japanese fish were not always as colorful as the rainbow.

Unlike other species of fish, the koi Japanese fish underwent its own brand of evolution. Their roots can be traced back – unbelievably so – to the common carp. In fact, koi is simply Japanese for “carp”, those fish found in the wild and hunted as food, which is why today, if you visit a Japanese household and ask to see koi, the master of the house will promptly bring you one on a platter – handsomely cooked and decorated with spices.

Food containing carotene and the algae known as spirulina will help to enhance the colors in a koi Japanese fish. Many believe that the best source of color enhancers is small bits of fresh fish. Snacks or goodies, such as worms and small prawns are mere supplements and should not be regarded as regular food, but they can be used as treats to get the koi Japanese fish to feed from your hand.

Part of the charm of koi Japanese fish is that they are energetic swimmers, causing their colors to appear more vibrant and alive. Overfeeding causes them to grow too big and move sluggishly in the water, making them lose their potential as graceful and artful creatures. Overfeeding also causes them to excrete often, and this is bad for the water. Fish waste contains ammonia and in large amounts can be extremely harmful to the koi Japanese fish. This in turn can mean a lot of inconvenience for you, not just in cleaning the tank or pond, but also in focusing your concentrated efforts in trying to cure or bring back the health of your pets.

The proper term for koi Japanese fish is nishikigoi, or “brocaded carp”, called as such because their patterns are reminiscent of tapestry works. Varieties are named based on their colors and color combinations and translated into Japanese, in acknowledgment of the efforts of the Japanese farmers who started the art and science of koi breeding. To date, there are more than fifteen varieties and sub-varieties of koi Japanese fish – and still growing. Efforts at coming up with new color combinations and color patterns are still being practiced today. Spirulina algae and food rich in carotenoids are known to bring out the colors of koi, and studies are continuously being conducted to find more ways of exploiting the benefits of these enhancers.

Koi Japanese fish are wonderful creatures and a source of both peace and entertainment for many. In Japan, they are still called nishikigoi, so one must be careful when visiting. A visitor not knowing any better and mentioning that he is fond of koi might be given the common carp on a dish, cooked to perfection and complete with garnishing. However, ask for nishikigoi and with all pride they will most definitely lead you to their garden pond.

For the eleven things you should know about koi fish, visit The Proper Care And Feeding Of Koi.