| The carp that travelled to Japan from China, | | | | reported to be a great stress reliever. |
| gained tremendously in colour and beauty: thanks | | | | If you are venturing into the Koi hobby, it is |
| to the Japanese breeders! And it is this | | | | worth noting that rearing Koi is not like having any |
| ‘Brocaded carp' that the world knows as Koi | | | | other simple ornamental fish in an aquarium or a |
| today. Literally ‘Koi' means ‘carp' (both | | | | fish tank. Even if you do not want to be a |
| common and ornamental species) in Japanese. | | | | breeder and are interested in keeping Koi solely |
| The ornamental domesticated fish that we know | | | | for ornamental purpose, some research and |
| as Koi is actually ‘nishikigoi' in Japanese. | | | | preparation is a must. You will need a pond with |
| Whatever the history and linguistics facts be, for | | | | proper size and systems in place. Seasonal |
| us Koi is the beautiful, colourful, adaptable, | | | | changes would require some adjustments in order |
| domesticated pond fish. | | | | to keep Koi healthy. For example, feeding Koi |
| Before we start talking in detail about the Koi fish | | | | requires to be ‘almost stopped' in peak |
| keeping, let's first look at some of the interesting | | | | winters. All these aspects need to be taken care |
| benefits of having a Koi pond or say having a Koi | | | | of and a fair degree of expertise is required at |
| in your pond (Koi co-exists well with other fish. So | | | | every step from selecting your Koi to creating |
| you can keep it with the ones you already have). | | | | Koi specific conditions. |
| ** It will add a spectrum of beauty to your | | | | Also, Koi is an expensive affair. The fish itself will |
| garden environment. | | | | cost you some handsome bucks. And you can't |
| You will be able to establish a special bond with | | | | keep one. You will have to have a group of at |
| your Koi. They will feed from your hand once | | | | least three of them; as experts recommend. You |
| they gain confidence in you. Needless to say, this | | | | will also have to spend on building a pond or |
| is the ultimate that one can expect from a pet. | | | | enlarging an existing one to suit the needs of Koi. |
| And a ‘rare ultimate' when it comes to fish. | | | | Also, you will need to install proper purification |
| ** If you are (or will be) a breeder, a Koi | | | | systems and pumps, which is again a fairly big |
| means thousands! | | | | investment. |
| Believe in Feng Shui? Koi is believed to bring good | | | | Another important aspect to be considered is the |
| luck. | | | | safety of your Koi. This fish being extremely |
| Some symbolism…? Koi is considered to be a | | | | attractive is an easy attention seeker for the |
| symbol of love and friendship in Japan. | | | | aerial predators. So you will need to grow trees in |
| ** Koi is ‘elite'. Yes… keeping Koi is a | | | | order to block their vision. Also, the depth of the |
| status symbol; your garden's style statement. | | | | pond will need to be increased not only as |
| Some other benefits that do not have any | | | | required by Koi but also as a safe guard against |
| scientific evidence but have been talked about by | | | | cranes and other such hunters, if they are a |
| Koi owners are: | | | | problem in your area. You might also need to use |
| * A Koi pond adds value to your property. If | | | | nets over the pond. |
| you are looking to sell yours, adding a Koi pond | | | | Worried? Oh you shouldn't. Efforts are going to be |
| might increase the rates and the possibility of | | | | huge, but the result will be more so. After all you |
| selling quickly. | | | | can't have the roses' bloom without the thorns! |
| * Spending some time by a Koi pond has been | | | | |