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Koi - Beautiful Japanese Carp

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Koi is short for Nishigikoi, the Japanese word for "ornamental carp"

Koi fish have been cultivated and bred for generations in Japan to produce the brilliant colors and patterns for which they are known. With the growing interest in water gardens in the US, many people are interested in raising and keeping koi. This lens will help you learn the basics about koi colors and patterns and offers advice on keeping and caring for these beautiful Japanese carp.

Color variations and names

The variation of Koi can get very complex. Here are some of the basic colors with their Japanese names. Some colors get a different name to indicate when they are body color or the color of markings on the fish. Part of what can make koi an expensive hobby is the acquisition of rare color and patterns.

Black - Karasu (body), Sumi (markings)
Blue - Ai
Brown - Cha
Gold (metallic) - Kin
Green - Midori
Grey - Sora
Orange - Orenji
Red - Aka (body color), Hi (markings)
Silver (metallic) - Gin
White - Shiro
Yellow - Ki

Koi Pictures

Books For Beginner's

Here are some books that are not only just about koi, but they are good for beginners.

Koi Clubs and More

KOI USA Magazine - For the KOI enthusiast: KOI USA Magazine is packed with vital articles about pond construction, filtration, fish health, classification, dealer contacts, club news and upcoming events and much more.
Koi Carp and Fish Ponds Information: A beginner's guide to keeping Koi fish in a backyard recirculated freshwater pond.
AKCA/Koi USA: A complete site dedicated to Koi in the garden pond, Sections on Koi Health, Pond Construction, Pond Filtration, Photos of Ponds, KOI USA Magazine, Library of Koi & Pond Articles
Atlanta Koi Club: The mission of the Atlanta Koi Club is to promote, create and enlarge the hobby of koi keeping, breeding, appreciating and exhibiting; to disseminate information about these purposes to the Membership; to engage in educational and social activities related to our purposes; and to acquire and own such property as may be necessary for any or all of the foregoing purposes.
Northwest Koi and Goldfish Club: We are the Northwest Chapter of Zen Nippon Airinkai, (ZNA).. The name translates "All Japan fish scale appreciation society"
Koi Cymru: Koi Cymru is to promote the keeping of koi and shows how to build large concrete fish ponds.
Koi Videos @ Koi Keeper.com: Our aim is to be is the world's leading online supplier of specialist Koi products. While our customer base and product offerings are continuing to grow, we still maintain our founding commitment to customer satisfaction and the provision of the best Koi products available to all corners of the globe.
Australian Koi Assocation Inc.: The Protection, preservation and improvement of Koi.
Lone Star Koi Club: The Lone Star ZNA Koi Club is the Houston, Texas affiliate of the Associated Koi Clubs of America and the All-Japan Koi Appreciation Society (ZNA). Our nonprofit organization meets monthly on Sunday afternoons at members' homes and enjoys lectures, education, sharing of ideas, and friendship. In addition we hold clinics, shows, and tours.
..::The Singapore Koi Club::..: The Singapore Koi Club first started out in 1989 as an idea by two Koi hobbyists, Dr W C Cheng and Dr Tan Cheng Bock. Since then, the Club has grown to a membership of over 230. The Club is an all-volunteer and nonprofit organization, and is affiliated to Zen Nippon Airinkai, the world's authority on Koi. It is run by a Committee who meets 6-12 times a year.
Salt Lake Koi Club: AKCA koi club, dedicated to koi care & information, koi health diagnosis, koi newsletter
CANADA KOI CLUB OF BC: The Canada Koi Club of British Columbia is a non-profit organization founded in 1981. The purpose of the club is to promote, create and enlarge the hobby of keeping, breeding, appreciating and exhibiting Koi.
Las Vegas Koi Club - LVKC Home Page: Everyone is welcome, as we discuss everything about koi, koi ponds and water gardening.
Tampa Bay Koi and Water Garden Club: The Tampa Bay Koi and Water Garden club's goal is to create, promote and enlarge the hobby of koi keeping and water gardening. We also share information and educational activities related to all aspects of ponds.
San Francisco Bay Area Koi Club: Our membership extends from Pescadero to Stockton concentrated mainly in the East Bay with many new members joining from Contra Costa County.

Live Japanese Koi Auctions

Bid on and buy live koi at auction

Lucky Koi Tattoos

Koi and tattoos of koi have traditional connotations of good luck to them. Some of this perception stems from ancient Asian mythology.

It is believed that a carp that can swim upstream and jump the waterfalls will be transformed into a dragon. Unlike Western dragons which are often viewed as snake-like and malevolent, Asian dragons are associated with the elements and are considered good omens and protectors.

Both koi and dragons are often found in Japanese tattooing.

Koi Care

These links have more information about fish care, diseases and issues that arise when keeping Koi.

KoiVet.com - Koi and Golfish Health Care: Koi and Goldfish Health Care.
Welcome to Koi Care Kennels - Home of KoiZyme: Koi Care Kennel Inc. was founded in 1998. One of our founding principals was to distribute only the best quality pond products.
Goldfish/Koi Care: Articles about the care of goldfish and koi and other cold-water aquarium fish. Learn to set up coldwater goldfish tanks, build and stock koi ponds, and care for these ancient, lovely fishes.
Koi Care: Sick and injured koi. Identification of koi parasites. Treatment of sick or injured koi. Dealing with water quality.
Caring for your japanese koi fish.: Change the color of your Japanese Koi fish by feeding it special foods. Treats, water maintenance and symptoms of illnesses in Koi etc.