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