What are koi fish?

Question

Iv heard so much about them on this site. Are they tropical fish or something?

Answer 1

The word "koi" comes from Japanese. The original Japanese word koi simply means "carp," including both the dull grey fish and the brightly colored varieties. A homonym of koi means 'love, affection' and koi are therefore symbols of love and friendship in Japan: a good example is the short story Koi-san by Mukoda Kuniko.

While a 4th century Chinese book of the Western Jin Dynasty mentions carp with various colors, koi breeding first became popular in the 19th century in the Niigata prefecture of Japan. Farmers working the rice fields would notice that some carp were more brightly colored than others, capture them, and raise them. By the 20th century, a number of color patterns had been established, most notably the red-and-white Kohaku. The outside world did not become aware of the degree of development until 1914, when the Niigata koi were exhibited in the annual exposition in Tokyo. At that point, interest in koi exploded throughout Japan. The hobby of keeping koi spread worldwide after plastic bags and shipping of koi became both fast and safe for the fish. These factors enabled koi to be shipped worldwide with low mortality rates. Koi are now commonly sold in most pet stores, with higher-quality fish available from specialist dealers.

Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, patterning, and scalation. Ghost koi, developed in the 1980s are metallic hybrids of wild carp and Ogon koi and are not considered true Nishikigoi. Butterfly koi, Longfin koi, or Dragon Carp were also developed in the 1980s and are notable for their long and flowing fins. They are actually hybrids with Asian carp and, like Ghost koi, are not considered true Nishikigoi.

Answer 2

They are Japanese carp. They can live for over 50 years and can reach 2 1/2 feet. They have been selectively bred to have beautiful colors, and patterns. They have large appetitites and sometimes will recognize their owner and swim up to them to be fed from your hand. They can live in a outdoor man made pond if the it is deep enough.

Answer 3

They look like they are delicate tropical fish but as most here have said they are hearty carp and they are beautiful to look at

they are expensive but they are wonderful

go get a few & be happy!

Answer 4

They are actually coldwater - they're color variations of the common carp, that have been bred for centuries to develop specific colors and patterns (and in the case of butterfly koi, longer fins). See photos:
http://www.koifishponds.com/brfh7.jpg
http://www.koione.com/fish/koi.htm
http://koi-art.com/images/koi/white-butterfly.jpg - a white butterfly koi

Answer 5

They ae a large variety of ornate carp that are pond fish,originated from Japan..sometimes called kio

Answer 6

Koi are a kind of carp. They are freshwater and they are pond fish.

Answer 7

They are an expensive, fancy version of a goldfish! some can grow to be huge in the right pool or tank.....and some can cost thousands!!

Answer 8

koi is a orential carp

Answer 9

there like a gold fish almost but get much bigger and have more colors. they are manily a pond fish

Answer 10

They are large fish people usually keep in an outside pond. They vary from whites, oranges, reds in color. And are originally from Asia.