Cyprinus carpio carpio
| Common Names: | Carp Common Carp Koi Leather Carp Mirror Carp |
| Synonyms: | Cyprinus carpio |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Category: | Cyprinids |
| Distribution: | Asia; China and Eastern Asia |
| Main Ecosystem: | River; River |
| Temperament: | Active; Koi are very peaceful with a variety of pond life. They will eat any eggs in the pond, and may accidentally eat young fry until 1 inch in length. Pond guppies and mosquito fish may be eaten by large Koi. Koi agression can be seen in the early spring during breeding, but should be limited to chasing and bumping into other Koi. |
| Diet: | Ominvore; Ominvore |
| Care: | Feeding should be reduced or stopped completely once the pond temp drops below 50 degrees F. If any foods are fed keep it to the minimal and feed foods very low in proteins. If you have a small pond (less than 1500 gallons) do not feed at all under 50 degrees F. For larger ponds the fish should not be fed at all once the pond is 45 degrees F or lower. 1000 (US gallons) or more is the minimal pond size to avoid sunting and early death. Pond must have good bio-filtration to handle the heavy waste |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 110cm (43.3") Female: 110cm (43.3") |
| Water Region: | All; All |
| Activity: | Diurnal; Diurnal |
| Gender: | Males tend to be slimmer with pointed pectoral fins. Sexually mature males are usually very easy to identify as they chase the females. Males are also generally smaller than the females. Females have more robust bodies tending to look plump and have rounded pectoral fins. |
| Breeding: | Koi first become sexually mature between 1 and 2 feet in length (3-5 years in age). Look for breeding to take place in spring with the fish scattering eggs all over the pond. They will immediately begin eating the eggs. Expect well over 70,000 eggs from every mature female. |
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| Comments: | Koi usually die at an early age of 44 years or less. Well taken care of koi should live between 75-125 years of age. The oldest recorded Koi (Hanako) was proven to have lived 226 years. Koi are normally up to 30 inches long with the world record being 44 inches. Koi do not like being moved and will jump new ponds. Pond netting is essential until new Koi are settled in. There are many grades and varieties of koi with the culls being very cheap and the champions often being sold for astronomical s |
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| Markings: | Not Specified |
| Mouth: | Normal |
| Tail: | Not Specified |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | ;Koi Keeper |
| Submitted By: | koi keeper |
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