The Koi fish has been on the planet for hundreds of years. A descendent of the Japanese magoi carp they are prized for their beautiful shapes and brilliant colors, especially with the right Koi care. There are several varieties including the fancy fantail Koi which has draping fins and tails. The beautiful fish can be a combination of black, red, yellow, white and orange and it has been known to grow to three feet long and weigh more than forty pounds with the right Koi care.

The Koi is known to be a hardy fish that seldom sickens or dies without an underlying reason. The original magoi carp was known to survive harsh conditions and nasty parasites with little to no affects. However, man has weakened the strain as the Koi has been inbred to obtain the most prized shapes and colors. Even so, with proper care the Koi can still live for decades.

When Koi dies it is usually because the water is lacking oxygen, the water quality is poor; the fish has ulcer disease or parasites. Other factors in the death of the fish include toxic pesticides, virus, tumors, and medication overdose. So as you see, these are all things that could have been avoided with the proper diligence. Predators are also a problem as is the fish jumping out of the water.

You can keep you Koi safe and healthy simply by choosing the correct size and depth for your Koi pond. Koi prefer to swim up and down rather than side to side and if you are offering the proper care you will ensure that your pond has enough depth for the Koi to exercise by swimming deep in the pond. It also important to avoid having a shallow end that exposes the Koi to too much heat and predators.

Providing good care will require being involved in every aspect of Koi life. Be careful that you do not end up with an overcrowded pool. Koi reproduce rapidly and grow just as quickly. Be mindful that you are utilizing the entire pool and ensuring good water circulation in all areas. Dead areas could mean dead fish.

Any care book will urge you to keep your Koi pond at a consistent temperature. Koi is able to survive cold weather but it will not be very active and it is very important that you do not allow the pond to completely freeze. A pond heater can help you maintain a consistent temperature and keep your fish happy and disease free.

Koi require daily feedings of pellets that contain the needed balance of nutrients to keep them healthy. Feeding on the water also encourages the fish to come to the top of the water. However Koi care specialists advise that you can keep the fish healthy and stimulated by feeding fruits and vegetables such as lettuce and watermelon. One of the most interesting things about the Koi is that they learn to recognize people and will come to the surface to greet you. They can also be taught to take food from your hand.

While most people love the Koi for their brilliant colors and beautiful shape the Japanese see them as symbols of love and friendship and the Chinese see them as symbols of good fortune. Whatever you think of the Koi it is certain that with good Koi care these interesting fish can live for decades and provide much enjoyment. So make sure you provide great Koi care.