The Unique Black Koi
There are many types of Koi fish. They come in a variety of beautiful colors and distinct pattern. Koi fish can live from 50 to 70 years. In Japan, there have been some urban legends where Koi Fish have lived up to 200 years. The oldest Koi that was found to be 226 years old! Koi males can be identified by their excavated anal section. Female Koi fish can spawn up to one thousand eggs, but this depends largely on the fish’s state of health. The eggs will hatch and the baby koi will emerge seven days later.
This largely depends on the surroundings of the fish, such as temperature. The colors of these babies will appear 12 weeks later. And that’s when they start to produce those fascinating colors that we enjoy. There is one distinct Koi I love to watch and it is the Black Koi. The Black Koi is amazing. They set apart from other Koi types, because of their unique colors. The Japanese started to breed these wonderful carps together. Then, evolution commenced and there were mutations from which resulted in variety of colors and pattern combinations.
Black Koi can grow up to three feet long. They need to be kept in large ponds, because they are pretty long fish. A foot needs to be comfortable in a shoe, so does a black koi.
Showa Sanke
The Showa Sanke is a black koi with red and white blazes. It’s one of the most common Koi and was first presented in during the reign of the Showa Emperor in Japan. People usually know this fish as the Butterfly Coy.
Karasu
The Karasu is another type. It is known throughout Japan as the Crow Koi. It has black fins and a black body and very interesting to look at. It comes either with a white belly or an orange one. This is one of the ancient types of Koi that exist today.
Magoi
The Magoi Koi species is one of the largest of its kind. I think this is an alluring variation because the Magoi has an unfathomable dark copper color, but have a pitch-dark color from above. These fish can become huge. As a result, Magoi are being reestablished into the Go Sanke to expand growth.
Kumonryu
I almost forgot. The Kumonryu is the most exciting Black Koi species. Kumonryu literally means “Dragon Fish.” Now, how cool is that? According to the Japanese, the Kumonryu resembled the bodies of dragons and the Japanese were fascinated by this. They used the Kumonryu painted them on great works of art.
The Koi blends into their environment and change color. They are like a chameleon of the jungle, but resemble the peacock for their majestic definition. This is true for the Matsukawabake Koi species. They change color with temperature of the water and the weather. This Koi may change to charcoal black if the conditions are right. It may change completely pearl white give the conditions. But what goes up must come down, so the koi changes back to its original state.
This is the beauty of the Black Koi and I hope you have a deeper appreciation for this magnificent animal.
Koi Care Tips
Koi is one of the most-adored fresh water pond fishes. The most striking feature of the Koi is the vibrant and the choice of colors they come in. Another notable feature of this variety of fish is their life-span. Kois have an average life of 30 years, which is quite remarkable. The most exceptional life-span was of a Koi in Japan which is believed to have lived for 226 years.
Koi is a domesticated variant of the common carp or European carp. Koi means carp in Japanese for carp. They are usually kept for decorative purposes in outdoor ponds and water gardens. Koi come in a huge array of colors and patterns, from red to silver, black to yellow and many more. External factors such as the environment and the food they eat directly affects the color of a Koi.
Even though the Koi are known for their ability to be social with other breeds, they are not of the schooling variety. In small ponds, they may seem to school together. However in bigger ones they are prone to divide into smaller factions.
As Koi grow, they become larger in size. Hence they can survive only in ponds with 500 gallon or more water. If you choose to put them in small ponds, keep a tab on their size from time to time. You will need to shift them to a bigger pond once they grow bigger. Another thing to bear in mind is the number of fish you keep in the pond must be relative to the amount of water. Their health entirely relies on this one factor.
Koi can survive in cold-water, however it is best to keep temperature in the range of 61 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Koi care must be taken into consideration when dealing with these temperatures. They can also be kept outdoors provided the pond is not deeper than 3 feet. With the drop in temperatures in winter, the Koi will start to hibernate and their digestive system will slow down fully and they eat very little. Their appetite comes back only during the spring when the temperature is warmer.
Outdoor ponds are a great mode of relaxation. How much ever soothing the sounds of falling water might by, but a pond is absolutely incomplete without these ornamental fishes. So get your Koi fish today and beautify your outdoor garden.
