| Often referred to as "swimming flowers," koi fish are | | | | the Showa Sanshoku, Kohaku and Taisho varieties. |
| one of the most popular fresh-water ornamental pond | | | | The varieties of koi are distinguished by their scales, |
| fish today. The word "koi" actually comes from the | | | | their color and their patterns. |
| Japanese word koi, which means carp. | | | | Koi are relatively easy to maintain. They can be kept in |
| Koi breeding rose to prominence during the 19th | | | | both small containers and large outdoor ponds. A |
| century in the Niigata prefecture of Japan. The | | | | round plastic tub is more desirable than the standard |
| farmers tilling the rice fields noticed that some carps | | | | indoor aquarium. Since Koi are cold water fish, koi |
| were more colorful than the others and were | | | | owners that live in areas of the world that become |
| attracting predators like birds more easily. Instead of | | | | warm during the summer are advised to have a meter |
| letting the fish be captured by predators, they captured | | | | or more of depth. For owners that live in areas with |
| the fish and raised them themselves. By the turn of | | | | harsh winters, it would be advisable to have a pond |
| the 20th century, the carp had developed a number of | | | | that is 1.5 meters deep so that it won't freeze over. It |
| color patterns like the red-and-white Kohaku. In 1914, | | | | may also be good to keep an open space with a |
| the Niigata prefecture exhibited the koi and introduced | | | | horse trough heater and a blubber. |
| this startling development to the rest of the outside | | | | One of the greatest pleasures of owning a koi fish lies |
| world. Some of them were even offered to Hirohito, | | | | in feeding them. It is particularly delightful to watch them |
| the Crown Prince of Japan. It was during that time that | | | | eat. Koi fish will eat a variety of foods such as peas, |
| interest in koi spread throughout Japan. When the | | | | lettuce and watermelon. They also recognize the |
| plastic bags and the shipping of koi became faster and | | | | person feeding them and can even be trained to take |
| safer for the fish, koi hobby exploded worldwide. | | | | food from the person's hand. If they are handled |
| Today, koi fish are sold in most pet stores, with the | | | | properly, koi fish can live up to about 40 years. In fact, |
| higher-quality ones available from select dealers only. | | | | some reports say they can live up to 200 years! |
| Some koi fish sell for as high as a couple hundred | | | | Indeed, these beautiful "living jewels" as they are often |
| thousand dollars. | | | | called, are one of the most lovable fish around. In fact, |
| Koi come in a variety of colors such as white, red, | | | | the word koi is synonymous to love and affection in |
| black, yellow, cream and blue. The most popular | | | | Japan and are often used to symbolize love and |
| category of koi is the Gosanke, which is made up of | | | | friendship. |