Page 346 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

344 POND FISH DIRECTORY

KOI

Few fish inspire greater devotion than koi. These large
ornamental carp have now established a dedicated
following in the West, matching that which they enjoy in
their Japanese homeland. Koi were developed primarily
for the beauty of their colors and patterning, when
viewed from above. This led to great interest in breeding
and showing koi varieties, and the most desirable
individuals now change hands for huge sums of money.
To appreciate these attractive pond fish fully, they must
be clearly visible through the water; as a result, koi
are most often kept in well-filtered water in a
pond containing few or no plants.

When assessing the quality of an individual koi,
experts focus not only on the color or patterning
but also the overall physical appearance or type,
including their length and body width.

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