If you already have a pond on your property, or you are looking to build one, one way to make it extra special is to add some Black Koi. Black Koi are as versatile as they are beautiful, and make a great addition to any pond.

However, before getting any type of live animal, it is a good idea to do a little background research. This is to ensure you will be able to handle the care and maintenance of the animal, and that you will be a good fit for each other.

If you didn’t already know, Koi is just another name for carp, which is a large species of fish that originated somewhere around Asia and Central Europe. There were several species of carp even in the beginning, and this led them to be easily domesticated throughout South East Asia and China. They were even used as a food source in and around Asia. By the time the fish made it to Japan, they became known as Koi. This creature is extremely hardy, and can withstand many different climates and water types and conditions. This hardiness is what allowed Koi to spread throughout Japan and many other new locations.

While the early carp already had quite a variety of natural color mutations and variations, the Chinese eventually began to breed the Koi specifically to create new colors and patterns. This experimentation was extremely successful, and by 1279 the colors yellow, white, red-and-white, and orange had been created, leading the way for the black Koi and all of its different patterns. The goldfish is actually a creation stemming from the selective breeding of prized Prussian carp. The black Koi has gone on to become one of the most sought after colors.

The 1980′s saw the creation of several new varieties of Koi, including the dragon carp, longfin Koi and butterfly Koi, who are prized for their long, flowy fins. More color mutations and variations were soon introduced, including the Ghost Koi, which boasts an amazing array of metallic patterns. While there may be a wide array of different colors and patterns, there are a few things that remain constant throughout each Koi species. Most notably are the prominent barbells found on the mouth, and a common body shape. Throughout the years, Koi have proven themselves not only as hardy and resilient, but also as a source of endless color possibilities.

Those who are planning on adding black Koi to their pond ecosystem should keep a few things in mind. First off, these fish may adapt and adjust easily to most any situation, but they are best kept in temperatures that stay constantly between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. The fish do best in these temperatures, and in situations where water temperature begins to dip in the teens and finally below 10c, their immune system can actually shut down and fail.

Another tip and perhaps the most important is that the beautiful colors and patterns that make Black Koi so sought after also leave them at a total disadvantage when it comes to predators. Everyone from birds flying overhead to your cat will be trying every trick in the book to catch a Black Koi.

A well designed pond with Black Koi will be specifically built for avoid this problem, and should include areas that are too deep for the herons to stand in, shade trees surrounding the area in order to block the view of birds flying overhead, and overhangs that are high enough that mammals cannot reach in to grab the fish. A good filtration system and pump should also be included to keep the water crystal clear and your Black Koi healthy.