FAQs About Nishikigoi (Koi Fish)
Search our FAQs below or use the sidebar to navigate through our frequently asked questions about koi appreciation, Japanese culture, and the history of this wonderful hobby. Thanks for your interest and visit us often!
Koi Care and Feeding
In order for a koi to grow very large, you need to make sure it is well fed. But even with a good amount of food, the cannot grow if the pond environment is not ideal.
The most important aspect of a pond is water quality. If the pond is designed to maintain good water, then it is a good pond. When designing a pond, you need to think of the shape of the pond, the depth, filtration etc. You also need to think about your pond algae control routines since you will be encountering different types of algae like string algae that will affect your environment.
Koi try to find food even at night. It is okay to feed them up until around 10 o’clock at night.
A pigment called Carotene makes the Hi look red. Koi do not produce this so they must obtain it from their food. Spirulina is how food manufacturers provide raw carotene, so look for food that contains Spirulina.
Montmorillonite is a mineral that is beneficial to Koi. Products like “Koi Nendo” contain abundant amounts of the mineral and help improve water quality. Learn more about koi clay, montmorillonite clay, and why it is used to mimic Japanese mud ponds.
Water that has a variety of minerals in good balance is best for koi. Distilled water (which will not support koi) added to a bit of sea water for its salt and mineral content, is perfect for Koi. In Niigata, pure water comes from from snow, soaks into the ground and collects various minerals. This pure water amended with minerals is what the breeders in Niigata use.
The sound of water being aerated is very beneficial to koi. Researchers have confirmed that the sound of falling water stimulates a Nishikigoi’s appetite. It is beneficial to have waterfalls in koi ponds. Occasionally you will get a lot of build up of string algae in your pond, this is when you want to evaluate your methods of algae control for ponds.
There are three conditions where this may happen. If the fish grows fast, if the surroundings suddenly change or when it becomes sick. If you avoid these conditions, the probably losing Toh Hi is very low.
The shiroji of Shiro Utsuri loses its purity when it is fed color-enhancing food. Kohaku need color enhancing food to thickent their HI. Since the strategies for raising these two varieties for competition are opposite, they should be kept separately.
If you are intending to show the Koi, it is better to keep Kohaku that requires color enhancing food away from Bekko and Shiro Utsuri to protect the pureness of their Shiroji. In an ordinary pond, you can truly enjoy a gorgeous school of koi when you put all the varieties together.
Some koi have weaker Asagi blood and stronger Hajiro blood and tend to turn black. If you stop its growth at this time, it will stay black. It is important to keep them growing.
One of the biggest characteristics of Ogon is that they are not afraid of people. They are very friendly. Adding 2 to 3 Ogon in a pond will make the entire school of koi friendly.
We do not recommend it. Wild carp are accustomed to protecting themselves from outside enemies. They are very sensitive. Adding this sensitive fish to a school of koi can make the entire school very careful and sensitive to sounds.
Any Koi that has Hi need color-enhancing food. Learn more about koi food for health and growth.
