Raising Koi Fish-Getting Started Info You'll Need!

What exactly are Koi Fish? With all of their glorious colors you would expect them to be some exotic breed of fish, when in fact they come from the carp family! Around 1820 the Japanese began breeding Koi, and as the variety and colors expanded their popularity exploded. Today Koi Fish come in a large variety of colors and patterns. The colors range from patterns of Black, red, orange, yedllow, silver green and blue.

There just isn't anything more relaxing than sitting around a Koi Pond and listening to the sounds of rippling waters and the occasional splash of a jumping fish. Turning a Koi Pond into a living garden as well can enhance the experience even more.

Mixing living plants into your pond will replicate a natural environment even more. Its necessary to employ some special tactics to your plants because sometimes plants and Koi don't exist well. Koi sometimes will knock over potted plants placed within the pond and even sometimes try diggin the plants up. But with a little effort you can avoid many of the problems and still have plants within your pond. Nettting can be wrapped over the pots to prevent digging and pea gravel placed on top. Also, river rocks placed around the pots can keep the larger Koi from tipping them over and making a mess of your pond.

Lilies are the number one choice to grow in your pond. They come in a large number of varieties that grow well in different depths of water. Lilies also provide shade for your Koi. Koi don't tolerate a great deal of sun so the lilies the shade and shelter that your Koi need. They also provide an environment for insects. As Koi are omnivores they will seek out the insects and larva as a food source.

As omnivores Koi require a variety of foods in order to stay healthy. Insects are only one source of food for your Koi. Koi have the ability to recognize the people who feed them and will approach them for feeding. you can purchase ready made Koi food from your local pet store and as its a good balanced diet for the Koi, you probably should, however Koi also enjoy a wide variety of people foods as well. Things like peas, lettuce and even Watermelon. With a little experimenatation you will be able to find a wide variety of food your Koi will enjoy, and the variety will help maintain the health of your Koi.

Having your own Koi Pond is truly a relaxing and enjoyable experience. They are able to add a great deal to the lives of their owners, and they are rewarded by the generocity and good care of their owners As well.

Mark Justice is a koi fish enthusiast. For more great information on koi fish, visit http://www.raisingkoifish.com