Koi
Vividly colored ornamental carp for garden ponds, bred in Japan for centuries as a "living jewel."
Origin & history
Developed from the common food carp in Japan in the 19th century through selective breeding for color variants; now known worldwide as a status symbol and collector's fish, also popular in Swiss garden ponds.
Care
Needs a large, deep pond (min. 1.5m depth for overwintering) with a powerful filtration system. Check water quality regularly.
Ideal environment
Needs a frost-proof outdoor pond with sufficient depth and oxygen supply in winter. A social shoaling fish, keep several together.
Feeding
Omnivorous: special koi food varying by season (protein-rich in summer, easily digestible in winter), supplemented with aquatic plants.
Health
Prone to carp pox and parasites from poor water quality. Can live over 200 years and grow quite large (up to 90cm).