Koi are stunning fish, and with the potential to live from 30 to 50 years, they may be around to keep you company for decades. Dr Richmond Loh, The Fish Vet, describes them as living jewels due to their striking colours and patterns.
“Koi are different from goldfish because they have barbels (a slender, whisker-like sensory organ near the mouth), an elongated body and a slight down-turned mouth. Goldfish lack barbels, their body shape varies, and their mouths point slightly upwards. “Koi breeds are determined principally by their colour and patterns, scale form and finnage. Their unique markings make it easy to tell individuals apart. They have a gentle nature, are not aggressive, and can be kept with a variety of other types of pond fish. Koi have soft mouths and many koi parents enjoy feeding their fish by hand,” explains Dr Richmond.
Health issues
Dr Richmond says the riskiest times are when you are introducing new fish to your pond. “The new fish, or resident fish, may be carrying pathogens which, when exposed to naïve hosts, can cause disease,” he says. “Like other animals, fish can be attacked by a host of pathogens like parasites and bacteria.”
Water quality is another issue that can sometimes take well-meaning fish parents by surprise. “Regular water testing is a must for beginners. Test kits are available at retailers, or you may get the water tested by the store or your fish veterinarian.”
Dr Richmond warns that future plans to release a deadly exotic viral disease to control feral carp will be a significant issue for koi. “This virus is known as Koi Herpesvirus (KHV). With such a name, it is not a surprise that it will decimate private collections of koi. When that time comes, everyone will need to be vigilant about enforcing the most stringent biosecurity practices,” he says.
Benefits
As with all pet parenting, keeping koi is a rewarding and healthy pursuit that gives owners hours of joy and relaxation. “Just watching the fish swim about and come to you when it’s feeding time is rewarding,” says Dr Richmond. “It can also help develop patience when trying to breed a champion koi because this could take decades. Due to their longevity, koi can be family heirlooms, passed on from one generation to the next,” he adds. Of course, koi are also a visual delight: “Their unique markings, longevity and potential to be worth a fortune are some of the factors that make people become so enthusiastic about their koi,” he explains.
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