What makes a good koi

Certain patterns on certain varieties are always more in demand, but that does not mean you have to like them. Also accept that your ideas of what makes a perfect Koi will change, so next time you choose a Koi, your ideals may have shifted.

Lastly of course, before you decide on your purchase watch your target Koi swimming in the pond. It should be swimming normally with the rest of the Koi with dorsal fin erect and pectoral fins splayed wide.

Watch it swim to ensure it moves gracefully and does not exhibit unusual or exaggerated body movements. It should look alert and interested in its surroundings.

When the dealer catches the Koi it should try to evade capture and display agility in its efforts to avoid the net. When the Koi is bowled or bagged ensure that you are able to inspect the whole body so that you can see there are no obvious signs of damage or injury. Koi can and do jump and take scales off or even cut and injure themselves.

If your chosen purchase has some minor injury ask the dealer to keep the Koi at his premises for two or three weeks so that the damage can heal before collection. How to Choose a great Koi Carp T he first and most important thing when choosing a good Koi is to remember that any decision on what is good or bad is very much subjective.

Body shape. Skin quality. However there are several simple rules to help guide the buyer through the maize. Black is a predominant colour. It nearly always comes — not goes — so a blurred , indistinct, small black pattern will probably grow in size, depth and clarity.

Red patterns normally do not increase in size, although the colour will get more dense and darker in good quality Koi. White will normally improve as a Koi grows, and the depth of the skin increases, this can be especially noticeable on the head of Koi, where white can look cream or even yellow when young.

Male Koi often exhibit stronger colours at a younger age, so much so that breeders can often determine the sex of a Koi simply by looking at the depth of colours regardless of age.

Male Koi tend to finish younger, so black patterns can be much more distinct, whites clearer and reds deeper and often whites will be more creamy when young. Generally single coloured Koi will not significantly change throughout their lives and therefore choosing these varieties is much simpler. Choosing adult Koi of three years and older is a much simpler process as the colours and patterns will be more stable and less likely to be affected by further growth or environmental conditions.

Koi are always changing throughout their lives, with most significant changes taking place in the first two years, so choosing a near perfect Koi at one year old is not a good idea as by the time the Koi is three or four, it will probably be past its best and will certainly have changed considerably — so again choosing very good Koi very young is much more difficult as you need to be able to see into the future to see how the Koi will develop — pretty much impossible.

Shusui has inherited some of the most peculiar traits from their progenitors, i. German mirror carp and Japanese Asagi. Despite the bizarre, colorful patterns swirling around the pond in circles, the scales of Shusui Koi are the most stunning feature on the Koi fish. Sometimes, as Shuisui age, they have a tendency to show black spots around their head region. However, Shusui with the spotless white, pale bluish head is the most valuable kind.

Here are some koi keeping tips to help you settle down with your Koi in the smoothest manner instantly. If you want a more in-depth explanation, check out this video by Lee Calladine. Also check out our Koi Fish Care guide for extra tips! I have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about Koi fish.

Kohaku Koi is one of the most popular Koi available. It is easily located at a koi dealer and easy to care for. They are part of the Gosanke family. The rarest kinds of Koi are the ones that are not bred any more or less of.

However, Ki Utsuri is considered as one of the best and rarest kinds of Koi with a black body graced with patterns of yellow. In Japan and China, Koi was raised for consumption. However, with the passage of time, much positive symbolism has been associated with Koi, such as good luck, wealth, health, love, and compassion.

Koi are considered being the most expensive fish to keep because of the care and attention it requires in breeding these fish. You would be surprised to know that most of the wannabe breeders are opportunists. First, the Internet is your friend. Search for the best Koi fish for sale and you will be directed to some website where they breed Koi fish and put it on sale. You can visit their farms and since most of the online shops are credible and deal with the highest quality of Koi, you will get the Koi of your choice at a much more reasonable price than any breeder.

I recommend Next Day Koi as they deliver high quality Koi at great prices. Different types of Koi grow at a different rate. Most domesticated Koi fish grow about 12 to 15 inches long while the Japanese Koi grow 22 to 26 inches long. The jumbo Koi reach their maximum growth at 34 to 36 inches long. Koi fish are the jewels of pond adorned with beautiful colors and intricate scaling patterns. They are an outstanding addition to your home interiors and outdoor patio. Contents show.

Editor's Choice! Gosanke Editor's Choice! The most popular Koi Fish on the market. Comes in a variety of colors and hardy. Best Sheen. Utsurimono A koi fish with a unusual color pattern. Placement of the black patches determines it's rarity. The Most Friendly Koi. Kawarimono A non metallic Koi fish.

Koromo And red and white Koi fish. Its name translates to "Robe" in Japanese. Bekko One of the oldest domesticated Koi fish. Asagi If you are looking to impress your guest - this is the Koi to purchase. Shusui A combo of the German mirror carp and Japanese Asagi. What Is The Best Koi? Why are Koi so special? People tend to spend more on fish if they have a symbolic omen in their patterns and colors. How Much Are Koi Fish? A larger size fish often also means that it has reached maturity — and therefore its full potential.

There are exceptions to this however with some breeds being early or late bloomers. The curvature of the fish is important, and all parts of the fish — head, mid-section, tail and pectoral fins should all be symmetrical.

No deformities — especially around the eyes and mouth. Females tend to win the majority of shows as their shape tends more towards what judges are looking for. Recent Posts.