Scientific Name: Cyprinus carpio
Common Name: Koi
Adult Size: 10 inches
Life Expectancy: 25 - 35 years
Habitat: Lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia
Minimum Pond Size: 150 gallons
Ideal Tank Conditions:
- Temperature Range: 34 - 90°F
- pH Range: 7.0 - 8.6
- Water Hardness: 150 ppm
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet & Nutrition: Omnivore; the appearance and health of Koi are dramatically impacted by diet. The staple diet of Koi is a quality pellet or flake food that does not exceed 30% protein. But to optimize growth potential and color, it is also important to supplement their diet. A balanced diet will vary seasonally to include a mix of wheat germ, protein, fruits, vegetables, plankton, shrimp, and color enhancing foods.
Breeding & Spawning: Will generally spawn just after or during an isolated warm spell as spawning time becomes imminent. Eggs are spawn and sperm is milt. The female is capable of carrying around 100,000 eggs for every 1kg of body weight.
Gender: Sexing, or identifying the sex, can be difficult if the koi is under a foot long. With older koi, males are slimmer and smaller than females. Females have a fuller body and broader shoulders. At a young age, males are typically larger than females and also have larger pectoral fins which are more pointed than round female fins.
