Koi Fish

What Are Koi Fish

• Koi (also called nishikigoi) are colorful, ornamental varieties of carp (Cyprinus carpio) bred primarily in Japan. Wikipedia+2San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants+2

  
  

• They’re admired for their beautiful patterns and colors, often serving as symbols of luck, perseverance, and love in Japanese culture. Wikipedia+1

  
  

• Koi can live a long time — often 30-60 years, and under ideal conditions even longer. National Zoo+2Wikipedia+2

  
  

Care Basics | Koi Fish

If you’re keeping koi, here are the essentials:

Factor	What to Know
Pond Size	They get large — many reach 24-36 inches (60-90 cm). You’ll need a big pond, both to handle body volume and to maintain water quality. National Zoo+2Wikipedia+2
Water Quality & Filtration	Clean, well-oxygenated water is crucial. Koi are sensitive to pollutants, low oxygen, extreme temperatures. San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants+1
Temperature	They’re cold-water fish, but very cold winters or very hot summers can stress them. Ice cover in winter and overheating in summer are risks. Wikipedia+1
Feeding	Omnivorous. They eat specially formulated koi pellets, but also enjoy insects, plant material. Overfeeding can pollute the pond. National Zoo+1
Companions	Koi can coexist with some other large, peaceful pond fish. But they may outcompete smaller fish for food or damage plants. San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants+1

Cost / Value | Koi Fish

• Prices vary a ton depending on breed, coloration, bloodline, size, etc. Some koi are relatively affordable; others (especially show-quality, rare varieties) can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. Chewy+1

  
  

• Maintenance also adds up: pond construction, filtration, water treatment, winter protection, and feeding. It’s not a “set and forget” pet.

  
  

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