Being a Koi owner, you get to enjoy taking care of them, feeding them and also spending time with them. But how much do you know your pets? This article will give you a complete profile and background of your Koi.

Koi are the domesticated varieties of carp. In the 1820's, they were bred initially in Japan. These species come in a wide array of colors and patterns which include orange, red, white, black, blue, silver and green. The environment and their diet affect their color, and this makes it easy to comprehend the skill and patience it took for the first breeders in developing such a magnificent fish.

They thrive in cold water, which makes them perform best in temperatures between 61 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Living in cooler temperatures, they can be kept outside during colder times.

The Koi is one of the most popular fish that thrive in freshwater ponds, and they can be found in many ponds throughout the world. They are loved for both their lifespan (the oldest have reached the age of 226) and color patterns!). These are typically large fish and they must be placed in ponds with 500 gallons of water or more, with a depth no less than 3 feet.

For this, you should construct your pond in a manner that it can hold your pets very well. Keep in mind that the health of your pets will depend very much on the amount of space that you provide them. Water quality of your pond is another thing you have to consider, because this can affect your fish's health. The Koi is more expensive than the goldfish, that's why its harder to replace them.

They are not typically one of those schooling fish, but this doesn't keep them from mingling and socializing with other breeds of fish. Just be sure not to place them next to bigger fish that might see them as prey. They will split up in smaller groups when placed in larger areas, but seem to school together in smaller ponds.

As winter will come, they will begin their hibernation. During this time, their digestive system slows down, almost going to a stop. The food stored in their stomachs may grow rancid, which could cause illness. This is the reason why you should not feed your fish in temperatures dropping less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Koi are beautiful, ornamental fish which can complete those relaxing sounds produced by the rippling water flows of your pond. Koi owners count themselves as lucky as they care of fish that really touch their lives.