Koi
The Nishikigoi ( Japanese 錦鯉 , literally " brocade carp"), also called Koi for short , is a cultivated form of the carp ( Cyprinus carpio ). Koi or -goi is the Japanese word for carp in general.
There are cultivated forms of the Koi, which resemble the mirror carp or Zeilkarpfen bred in Europe in terms of scales. These are called Doitsu (Japanese doitsu "Germany, German") or more precisely Doitsugoi ("German carp").
Theories on the origin of the Koi
The origin of the koi has not been clearly established. Monochrome carp presumably originate from Iran and were brought to Asia about 2000 years ago, where they were kept as insectivores and food fish. Since around 1870, koi have been held by aristocrats as status symbols in Japan. Koi breeding is now also very popular in Europe.
Cultivated forms
Kois are divided into at least 16 main variants and over 100 sub-forms. The number of variants is growing continuously.
The best known cultivated forms:
- Kōhaku
- Sank
- Showa
- Utsurimono
- Bekko
- Asagi / Shusui
- Aragoke
- Koromo / Goromo
- Kawarimono
- Hikarimuji-mono / Ogon
- Hikari-moyomono
- Hikari-utsurimono
- Tancho
- Queen
There are several cultivars that are gaining popularity with pond owners. So-called butterfly koi have longer fins, hence the name as a comparison with the wings of a butterfly . Kois can achieve prices in the five-digit euro range, depending on their body type, pattern and skin quality.
Way of life
Kois have a life expectancy of up to 60 years and can weigh up to 24 kg with a body length of up to one meter. They lay around 400,000 to 500,000 eggs and in around 4 days the egg will develop into a young fish. Kois feed on plants, insects and worms. If the water temperature drops below 10 ° C, Koi reduce their metabolism and hibernate at the bottom of their body of water .
attitude
Kois are grown in aseptic facilities as possible and, in order to achieve particularly high growth, are often kept in huge natural ponds in Japan. Since these are sociable animals, they should always be kept in groups. How big the swarm should be depends on the size of the body of water. A space of at least one to three m³ per fish is recommended. The koi pond should not be exposed to the blazing sun, nor should it be completely sealed off from it. The water should be tested regularly for the pH and the content of oxygen , nitrite , nitrate , copper , ammonium and ammonia . The water must have a minimum depth of 1.3 m, as Kois hibernate at this depth. They must then not be awakened or implemented. The animals must not be fed too lavishly, as they will not stop feeding themselves as long as there is still something to eat in the area. Since the metabolism of the Koi slows down as the water temperature drops, the feeding should be adapted to the ambient temperature of the water. The food must be high in protein , fat and carbohydrates . Aids such as spawning brushes are used in breeding to reduce the risk of fungal infections, among other things.
Legal regulation in Austria
In Austria it is forbidden to keep koi permanently in aquariums.
Release
The release of koi fish into the wild, for example in ponds, poses a threat to native ecosystems: it sometimes displaces native species or spreads diseases. In Australia, for example, there are increasing cases of anglers looking for z. Sometimes they hit very large koi and this becomes a threat to local ecosystems.
Movies
- Jewels in the carp pond. The world of the Japanese Koi. Documentary 2011.
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ Federal Law Gazette 486., 2nd Animal Husbandry Ordinance §7 Item (6). Retrieved March 2, 2019 .
- ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rnafternoons/aquarium-fish-hurting-waterways/6364144
- ↑ Jewels in the carp pond. Germany, 2011, 43 min., Script and director: Antje Christ, production: Christ Media, ZDF , arte , first broadcast: January 11, 2012 on arte, synopsis by ARD , film images ( memento of the original from March 8, 2013 in Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
