A Brief History of The Koi

La Koi

The word koi is derived from the Japanese word for carp including both the dull grey mud fish and the brightly colored show fish we treasure today. Koi is also a homophone for another word in the Japanese language meaning love or affection, Koi are therefore a symbol of love or friendship in Japan. The Japanese word for what we call Koi is Nishikigoi.

 Koi are a variety of fish that have been developed using selective breeding of the domesticated common carp. Carp were domesticated thousands of years ago for food because of their ability to thrive in various extreme conditions.  It was during this time that the selective breeding of the Prussian carp for color enhancement led to the development of our common goldfish, which today have been recognized as a completely separate species from the carp. Selective breeding of the common carp for color enhancement began in the 1820’s in Japan. By the 20th century, a number of color patterns had been established, Most notably, the red and white Kohaku, but it wasn’t until 1914 at the annual exposition in Tokyo that Koi were introduced to the outside world. The hobby of Koi keeping, and Koi ponds quickly exploded throughout Japan and soon the world.

Like most fish Koi reproduce by spawning .The female lays the eggs and one or more males fertilize them.  This breeding habit is ideal for breeders who would like traits of one or more males to be introduced to the offspring.  Koi can also breed with goldfish but the offspring prove to be sterile. If Koi are allowed to breed freely they will quickly revert to the natural coloration of the common carp within a few generations.

The red on white Koi (Kohaku) is considered the traditional Koi and is the most sought after among Koi enthusiasts. On the other hand the butterfly Koi is not recognized by many as being a true Koi because the species was developed by cross breeding the traditional Koi back with the wild Indonesian Long Fin River Carp. Although the initial cross breeding was done to produce a more cold hardy species which was a success, the more predominate results are the beautiful long flowing fins. Butterfly Koi are shunned in most of Europe and Asia but are praised in the United States, giving them a new and welcome name. The American Koi.

For more information, pond supplies, or standard and American Koi visit our website at www.thepondhub.com. You can also sign up for our newsletter and receive more informative pieces like La Koi. Thank you for reading and happy water gardening from all of us here at The Pond Hub.