koi fish

Black Koi Fish Information

Black Koi fish is distinctively different from other koi fishes mainly due to their large color variations. Other than that it is typically the same as other colored Kois. Koi fishes come in a variety of colors making them highly attractive.

They are actually considered to be uniquely bred fishes and are known for their characteristic colors and color patterns. Generally black koi live for over thirty years but it is not a typical life span for this species.
The male and female koi fish are easily distinguishable from each other through their anal configurations.

That of males have more concave anus and their head have distinct breeding spots. These fish can spawn as much as 1,000 eggs. Baby koi fish are called fry and their survival is highly dependent on the water temperature. They cannot survive in very cold water.

A fry is not as colorful as adults but their color patterns become prominent by 3 weeks old. The first Kois bred by the Japanese were only of two color variety. But years of breeding allowed them to produce more color variants with colored patterns and combinations. Black koi is one of the most common variant but there are other gorgeous colored kois.

Black Koi can grow as long as 4 feet. When breeding this fish you need to keep in mind to build a larger pond for them. Magoi Koi was the first cultivated black koi that can grow thirty six inches in length. It is not actually black in color but instead is bronze. From above the water however it reflects a black color. Magoi are known to maximize the growth of other species through its blood by-products.

One of the old species of black koi is the Karasu or known as crow in Japanese. They are black colored in fins and body but some were bred with some color on their stomach usually white or orange.

Unique species of black koi is the Matsukawabake which comes in intriguing color variations due to water temperature and according to season. The change in its color is also influenced by the food it is fed on. The original black color of the Matsukawabake is retained if no temperature changes occur.

Many love to breed the dragon fish which is a black koi known as Kumonryu. It was first seen in 1980's and has grown in popularity since then. This fish has a mesmerizing body structure that is similar to a dragon commonly seen from the Japanese paintings.

This type of koi is capable of changing its color aside from being black. They are beautifully thought of being a dragon that is ascending through the sky's white clouds.

The beauty of black koi can be very enchanting with its glamorous patterns of color combination and their abilities to change color according to the current water temperature. Taking care of koi fish can be amusing and the black koi is the species that is a common favorite to all.

Randy Tan is a koi breeding expert. For more great tips on black koi fish information and general koi care, visit http://www.koibreedingtips.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_W._Tan

koi fish

Caring For Your Koi Fish Carp

Koi are those brilliantly colorful and gracefully mobile domesticated freshwater fish that are kept mainly in ponds worldwide. It may be hard to believe, but these fish are actually derived from the common carp often found in the wild, the colors of which are dull and usually grey or brown - a far cry from the vibrant reds, deep blacks, and shimmering whites of the koi. A long time ago, the Japanese took an interest in the creatures, and specifically bred them for color, until they came up with what is now universally known as koi. However, koi is simply "carp" in Japanese, which the natives are familiar with as food. The correct term, therefore, for these koi fish carp, would be nishikigoi.

Koi fish carp have proven to be the most ideal ornamental fish for most hobbyists. Like the perfect lover, not only are they good-looking, they are also blessed with intelligence. Some koi can be trained to do tricks, but even without teaching them and with only time to assist you, you can make them eat directly from your hand. Another amazing feature is that they have maintained the toughness acquired from their ancestors, being able to survive freezing temperatures and sustain themselves in low quality water. Their dietary habits are uncomplicated: they are voracious eaters and not choosy about their food, making them easy to please.

But all these characteristics should not be construed as an excuse to care less for the koi fish carp than any other pet. These creatures are still high-maintenance despite their origins. Their resplendent colors will not stay that way forever, and even intelligent creatures get bored. Sooner or later the fish's endurance will give up on it, and they may die from cold or disease. Furthermore, while no koi fish carp has ever been recorded to die of overfeeding, eating too much can definitely make them fat and sluggish, and cause excessive waste elimination on their part, which leads to dirty and chemical laden water.

Koi fish carp have been originally bred for aesthetic purposes, and ever since then, the koi has continually evolved as efforts at coming up with more color combinations, and thus, more varieties are continuously being studied and applied today. Some techniques are kept secret until now, but supplying them with color enhancements is a popular trick of the trade. Food rich in carotenoid pigments and the algae known as spirulina are helpful in bringing out the best in a koi's color. Protein and carbohydrates are also essential in a koi's diet, as these fish are energetic and have a high metabolism. Plants in a pond not only provide a snack for koi fish carp, they also offer a form of amusement, being the intelligent and inquisitive creatures that they are.

While it is true that koi fish carp are hardy creatures, exposing them to cold or dirty water for too long will stress the fish, and make them less immune to sickness and disease. In cases like these, it becomes crucial to keep temperature and pH balance at the correct levels. When it comes to water quality, it is a good thing to keep in mind that clear water does not always mean it is clean, nor does unclear water mean it is dirty. What is important is that water does not contain ammonia, a byproduct of fish waste. This chemical robs the water of oxygen, and is poisonous to the fish. A high percentage of ammonia in the water can signify that the fish is putting out too much waste, which is in turn an indication of overfeeding. Overfeeding, on the other hand, does not only indirectly cause the water to be less habitable, but it also robs the koi fish carp of its potential to be the lively creatures they are supposed to be.

Koi fish carp are certainly not your ordinary carp, and they require a good deal of tender loving care. They are beautiful creatures indeed, and are thus entitled to the right treatment. Caring for the koi fish carp involves time, effort and a measure of wealth, so if these cannot be readily sacrificed, it is best to leave koi fish carp rearing to someone more devoted. They deserve that much.

Jake Ross is a koi fish expert. For more great information on koi fish carp [http://koifish.online-re-source.com/koi-fish-carp], visit [http://koifish.online-re-source.com].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_R_Ross

koi fish

Koi 101 - Getting Your Desired Baby Koi Fish

Collecting a tropical fish is a delight for fish enthusiasts and professional breeders especially when they see their pets swimming around the pond or an aquarium. Like any other fish enthusiasts, Japanese Koi enthusiasts feels the same way, seeing their koi fish swimming around their koi pond gives them the relaxation that they need after a long and tiring day at work. Aside from being a stress reliever, koi fish can be beneficial to professional breeders since koi fish can produce a lot of baby koi, thus giving them more potential of making money if they intend to sell it.

Koi breeding is not as easy as it looks. It takes a lot of time, effort and patience in doing it. It is quite hard to select breeding partners to get the result that they want especially on how the baby koi may result into. Spawning, is the term used in breeding the baby koi, and it takes time to learn the art of doing this. Since the breeding period of koi fish depend on their metabolism and appetite, ideally, it is best to have them mate during the summer or from the months of April to July.

Here are some tips that you may want to try if you intend to go into koi fish breeding.

· Research and Consult the professional- do extensive research and planning before conducting the breeding. Since the color combination, scales and patterns of baby koi may entirely depend on the combination parents, better ask and consult professionals for better results. This will not only save your time but as money as well and you will be sure that the offspring that your koi parents is what you really wanted to begin with.

· Quality breeding pond- before getting your fish ready into mating, make sure that you have the best quality of pond water with high quality of pH level, good water oxygenation and filtration as these will play a big factor in your breeding success. It is also advised to separate the mating fish from the other fish as this may cause confusion. Moreover, put something into the water that the female koi can use to lay her eggs into such as underwater plant or other materials that are viable for the eggs to be safe when they are hatched.

· Pick out the koi variety you want to breed- get the best and healthiest koi available in your pond. Try breeding a female koi with two male koi as this yields better results and most number of eggs.

· Isolate the eggs- isolate the eggs from their parents to prevent cannibalism. It is best to take this kind of precaution to ensure that the eggs are safe.

These are some of the tips that you might need in your koi fish breeding. It may take some time to get everything right. Just make sure that when you do it, do it with constant care and precision so you can get your desired baby koi fish.

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