Frequently asked questions about Koi & Koi Ponds

Q: What is a Koi, Where are they from? A: Koi are descendants of ordinary carp. Ornamental carp (red carpi) were first recorded in eastern Asia in 500 B.C. Koi came to Japan from China about 800 A.D. In Japan, and now around the world keeping koi has became a very popular hobby. Koi varieties were created by selective crossbreeding, with most varieties developed since World War II. Most koi terminology is Japanese.

 Q: Where does the name “koi” come from?  A: “Koi” is short for “Nishikigoi,” (Embroidered Carp) which was derived from the Japanese word “Nishiki,” which was a many-colored cloth imported from India, and the Chinese symbol for “Goi” which was the original red carp from China.

 Q:    Are koi and goldfish related? A:   Not closely. Koi are fancy ornamental carp. Goldfish are related to the minnow family. Both are hardy and often kept in ornamental ponds and have been breed for their vibrant colors and patterns.

 Q:    How big do koi get?A: Depends on genetics and size of pond & quality of filtration. Koi are usually 6”-8” long at 1 year of age. 12”-16” at 2 years, with potential of 24” to 36” and 20-30 lbs. in 7 to 10 years. The largest koi have approached five feet in length. Females usually get much larger and therefore cost more than males. Males usually look their best when small. Females usually look their best and develop peak colors at a larger size when they mature.

 Q: How long do koi live? A: 20 years is common. A famous koi has been claimed to have lived for over 200 years in a monastery temple pond in Japan. Koi are a very hardy fish when kept in ponds with good filtration and water quality.

 Q.    What do koi cost?  A: Small pond-quality koi can sell for less than $5. Small show-quality koi  sell for $25 and up. Large high quality show koi and major koi show champions are valued at as much as $25,000-$250,000 for show or breeding purposes. $850,000 is the current record price paid for a koi. On average the majority of koi sell for  $10-$50.

 Q.  What do koi eat?  A:  Koi are omnivorous and will eat almost anything. Most koi keepers feed a commercial koi food. Koi will also eat many vegetables, fruits, cereal, worms, shrimp, and many types of water plants. Koi are cold-blooded animals with no stomach, and feeding should be stopped when water temperature drops below 50F. Koi can sometimes survive under frozen-over ponds in cold climates but are very stressed and do much better when winter temps are kept above 55F. Koi are also adaptable to tropical climates. 

Q:    Where can koi be purchased?  A: There are koi dealers in many major US cities selling koi from Japan and/or from local breeders. Pond quality koi are sold in many pet stores. Now, you can view photos and order koi via the internet from across the US and even directly from Japan. Our koi club hosts a special Japanese imported Koi & Goldfish sale and free pond seminars annually each Spring usually late March or early APril. Check out our events page to see the date for this years event.

 Q.    Do koi get sick?  A:    Koi can get parasites and bacterial infections that cause skin sores or fin and gill infections if kept in poor water conditions or damaged in some manner. Treatment is by medicated food, medicated baths, medication in the pond, or in serious cases by inject able antibiotics. The best way to have healthy fish is to maintain good water quality and a large healthy filter system in a pond free of sharp or abrasive objects.

 Q:    Do you eat koi? A: No. however, carp were transported all around the world as an easy to raise additional source of protein. Carp can to be raised in the rice paddy supply ponds and harvested in the fall along with the rice crops. Today koi are special pets and much too valuable to eat.

 Q: Can Koi be trained? A:  Koi can be conditioned to eat out of your hand, ring a dinner bell, and even allow itself to be picked up out of the water without struggling for a few  seconds. Many owners claim their koi seem to recognize them vs strangers. 

Q: How popular is keeping koi and building koi ponds? A: Very, there are more than 100 koi clubs in the US. There are national & international koi & pond associations and magazines. There are more than 30 koi shows in the US each year. TKFGS has hosted a annual koi show since 1991. It is free and open to the public and is usually held the second weekend of October.  See events section of this website for exact dates of this years show and other events.

Q: Why has koi keeping become so popular?  A: In Japan koi are believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and health to their owners. Watching koi swim around their pond is soothing and peaceful. Also, gardening is becoming more popular and many gardeners are wanting a backyard pond to enhance their landscaping. Sit next to a koi pond for a few minutes and many of you will want one yourself.

Q.    What does a koi pond cost? How much maintenance? A:    Koi Ponds are recommended to be larger and deeper than a typical water garden, a minimum of 1,000 gallons and 36” deep to allow koi room to grow. Smaller ponds built by DIY’s using special plastic liners can completed for $500+. Large professionally constructed concrete ponds can cost $20,000+. Koi ponds must have a large well designed filter system and pump operating 24 hours per day with all pond water volume pumped through the filter system every 2 hours minimum. Maintenance depends on pond/filter design, but one hour per week is a minimum. One of the best ways to learn about ponds is to locate your area koi club and attends some of their meetings or special events.

Q     What are the most popular varieties of Koi? A:  The Kohaku (white with red accents), Sanke (white with red & black dorsal oriented accents) and Showa (white with red dorsal and black wrapping accents) are the “big three.” They are oldest and most valued varieties winning most major awards. There are twelve varieties of koi recognized today. With many sub varieties and new types being developed. There are “metallic” koi with iridescent fins and colors. There are  koi without scales which have very vibrant colors since the color is not viewed through the scales. There are also koi with glittery "diamond" scales. Many koi also change colors and patterns as they grow and Koi can be almost any color or combination of colors including red, white, black, gray, blue, yellow, green, and brown.

Q.    How are koi judged at shows? A: There are 12 classes defined by color, pattern, and scale type. This is really a little more complicated than just a pretty fish contest. Judging criteria varies but is usually  evaluated at something like  50% - conformation (body shape and size), 30% - color uniformity and skin quality, 20% pattern, sharpness, and balance left-right and front-back as viewed from the top.

 Q: Are Koi aggressive? A: Koi are not aggressive except  when spawning. Males will chase and harass females but never fight. It has been commonly observed that if a koi gets sick other koi will try to help the distressed koi swim.

Q. How can I learn  about Koi, goldfish and building a Pond? A: Join our club. TKFGS like most pond clubs have monthly meetings with educational programs, field trips, seminars, shows, and an informative monthly newsletters. Most experienced club members enjoy helping novices avoid common problems with building & maintaining a Pond.

THE TEXAS KOI & FANCY GOLDFISH SOCIETY

Invites everyone interested in learning more about Koi, Goldfish, Ponds, or Water Gardening to attend one of our monthly club meetings or club events which are open to the public. We also welcome new members. Start getting information on club events and the monthly newsletters right away join TKFGS! Click here to get membership information

For more information:

Ray or Martha at (210)494-2034 or e-mail: rjordan8@swbell.net