The living habits and varieties of koi carp

The original species of koi is red carp. It was introduced to Japan from China in the early days. After artificial improvement, it became scarlet carp, also known as colored carp and flower carp. After World War II, it was renamed koi carp.

The classification of koi varieties is mainly divided into several strains based on their color. The sources of carp species are divided into scarlet carp, leather carp and mirror carp.

Koi is divided into nine major strains and about a hundred varieties. According to the distribution of color, markings and scales, they are mainly divided into 13 breed types.

1. Red and white koi: The authentic koi has red spots on a pure white background without any other colors. The bottom should be as pure white as snow, with thick and even red spots and clear boundaries. This type is divided into more than 20 varieties.

2. Taisho three-color koi: There are red and black stripes on a white background, red spots on the head but no black spots, and black stripes on the pectoral fins. This strain can be divided into more than 10 varieties.

3. Showa three-color koi: There are red and white patterns on a black background, and there are black spots at the base of the pectoral fins. There must be large black spots on the head. This strain is divided into more than 10 varieties.

Taisho Tricolor and Showa Tricolor are composed of red, white and black. The difference is:

The Taisho three colors are white with red and black spots; the Showa three colors are black with red and white spots.

The Taisho Tricolor has no dark spots on its head, while the Showa Tricolor has dark spots.

The black spots of the Taisho tricolor are in the shape of round blocks and are present on the upper half of the body; the black spots of the Showa tricolor are in the form of lines or bands and are present all over the body.

The pectoral fins of the Taisho tricolor are all white or have black stripes; the Showa tricolor has a round black patch at the base of the pectoral fin.

4. Black carp: completely black or with white spots or full yellow markings on a black background. Can be divided into 4 to 5 varieties.

5. Special light: Koi with black spots on a white, red or yellow background belong to the Taisho three-color strain. It is divided into nearly ten varieties.

6. Light yellow: The back is light blue or dark blue, the outer edges of the scales are white, and the cheeks, abdomen and the bases of each fin are red. There are more than 10 varieties according to color.

7. Clothing: It is a variety produced by mating red and white or three colors with light yellow. It is divided into nearly 10 varieties.

8. Variant carp: including black carp, yellow carp, tea carp, green carp and more than 20 varieties.

9. Gold: The whole body is golden in color and can be divided into more than twenty varieties.

10. Pattern-skinned carp: a variety produced by mating golden koi with other strains (excluding black carp). There are more than 10 varieties commonly found.

11. Light writing: Write about the species produced by the mating of koi and golden koi.

12. Gold and silver scales: Koi with golden or silver scales all over its body.

13. Danding: There are round red spots on the top of the head, but there are no red spots on the body of the fish.

Koi are gentle in nature, like to swim in groups, are easy to raise, and have strong adaptability to water temperature. It can live in a water temperature environment of 5-30℃, and the growth water temperature is 21-27℃. Omnivorous. Koi are relatively large, with a body length of up to 1 meter and a weight of more than 10 kilograms. Sexual maturity is 2-3 years old. Long lifespan, average about 70 years.

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