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Hello Koi Enthusiasts!
This blog is here to provide a spot for various things that do or might pertain to Koi. This stuff is intended for your entertainment, and is not meant to meet the stricter standards of our ebooks and courses, so use this info carefully and at your own risk. The short articles here may be descriptions of techniques that have proved effective, an introduction to new fish research, facts, graphs or just something FUN about fish! This information can be a springboard for your imagination and an entertaining place to learn something new. Information that was first published in Question of the Week can be found here.
The more we learn about Koi, the more FUN this hobby is - and we always say - if you're not havin' FUN, you're not doin' it right!
Kudos to all of you who keep your ponds healthy, and invite the critters of mother nature to find a welcome home in your yard. For those who realize those dragon flies are monster mosquito killers and smile as a new bird drops in for a sip of water, thank you. In this short article by Lucy Towers, she shares the difference our ponds make to the biodiversity of our neighborhoods.
The aqua feed industry is ever changing and as koi hobbyists we are affected, mostly by the changes in the ingredients in koi feed, we often try to follow the trends. Here is a voice in the aquaculture industry speaking out for transparency in the feed manufacturing sector for those who raise fish for a living. Koi Organization International does not take a position on this or other policies of the aquaculture industry, but it is fair to say, that we like other consumers would benefit from clearly understanding the ingredients in our feed that we give our koi.
This short article and research shows how the food chain incorporates nanoplastics to the fish we eat and the fish we admire. This short story tells the troubling proof about the food chain bringing unwanted plastic to our food.
This is a very interesting article about the quality of oil used in fish feed. The authors state "We investigated how diet composition influences the retention and subsequently FA composition of polar and neutral lipids in several tissues of farm-raised common carp; i.e., dorsal muscle, ventral muscle, liver, heart, kidney, eyes, intestine and adipose tissue." In other words, what did the different oils do to the fish? Since carp are consumed in many parts of the world, did those ingredients change the fish. A fascinating study.
Abstract
In the aquaculture industry, there is the never-ending quest for replacement ingredients for fish feed. In this study they are looking Spirulina as a replacement for fishmeal, which is more expensive. What did the study find out: yes that adding Spirulina does help with the grow out of young fish. But the weakness of the study is that the study is only a 12 week study.
This is a simple overview of fish nutrition that gives the basics of what should be in fish feed.
"Fish need energy to maintain basic metabolic activities and to support growth, reproduction, activity, and health. Proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids (the macronutrients) provide this energy and also some essential nutrients. Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) do not contain calories but are also required for good performance."
Some of use may have put have put koi in our bathtubs in an emergency, but how about carp to keep alive until our Christmas feast?
"Picture the Czech idyll. It’s the evening of 24 December, and one’s immediate family are sitting down to the Christmas Eve meal, the highlight of the festive season.
In the days beforehand, you would have visited one of the thousands of carp sellers that line the streets of the country.
For the traditionally minded, you would have bought your carp alive and kept it in the bathtub until 24 December."
A horrible, senseless act.
"MIAMI -- A South Florida man is facing nearly two dozen charges of animal cruelty after he allegedly poured a lethal compound of chemicals into an Aventura Mall pond, resulting in the death of over 20 koi fish, according to court documents."
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/south-florida-man-charged-with-animal...
Do you have a child or grandchild who needs a quick school presentation? Then this is the article for you. Very short and filled with facts.
"Koi and carp are very closely related fish types, yet they are sometimes considered as different types of the same species. However, there are important facts to consider about both Koi and carp before classifying them in the same group or into different groups. Hence, it would be highly interesting to know the characteristics and the differences between Koi and carp."
Sometimes nothing replaces the encyclopedia for facts and new knowledge. For instance; I did know that it was not until 1914, that the interest in koi really took off in Japan. Did you?
This is a very good short article on the status of koi in Japan, an introduction to the culture regarding koi.
"Koi have been loved in Japan and they have been characterized by strength and success for a very long time. Koi fish stands for basically anything that is good; luck, prosperity, vitality, and longevity and is very closely associated with the Japanese cultural identity."
https://blog.japanwondertravel.com/koi-fish-japan-29657
This study looks at how koi move through water - with the end result of trying to figure out how to make underwater robots. If you are curious about koi and science, you will like this study.
I suspect that this koi might have been saved if the pond had been deeper, but hard to tell by the video. A good short video that reminds us that surprise predators like to eat koi and that when building a pond, it is possible to help reduce this threat. If you are interested in learning more about pond construction and protecting your koi, click on "Courses" on the K.O.I. website to learn from some of the best hobbyists in the koi world.
Here is a research brief on protein/feed formulations that underwent study. There is both a brief and you can read the entire 91 page reseach.
Similarities of koi nutrition with carp nutrition are advantageous owing to the availability of adequate
information based on which diets can be formulated and evaluated. However, it is to be remembered that
commercially available diets are not always formulated and evaluated using such information, leading to the
So much to still discover in our world, even when in plain sight.
"The largest waterlily species in the world has been discovered after a case of mistaken identity that saw it hide in plain sight for 177 years.
Wow, this technology could be right around the corner for us hobbyists. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a "affinity silk filter".
Abstract
A fascinating study suggesting that koi will self-seek water at 90 deg F (32 C) in order to reduce the suffering of KHVD (cyprinid herpesvirus 3). This is very exciting research, but of course as noted by the researchers out of Belgium, a vaccine is still needed.
Abstract
Behavioral fever, something newly defined in the behavior of koi/carp. What a great article on the study of the Cyprinid Herpesvirus3 (CYHV-3), also known as KHVD, and how water up to 90 degree F (32C) is used for treatment. Though a vaccine is still needed, this study showed that fish will self-select this high temperature water to cure themselves. "It's been known for a while that fish (and other animals that can't generate heat internally) could help their immune systems fight off infection by moving to a warmer spot.
From a koi painting they loved, to a beautiful koi pond build to imitate their art. This couple has built a beautiful pond at their home and as they say " Feeding the fish “is an outing. It’s entertainment,” ... Please enjoy this well-done article on this pond.
The transformation of Sandra and Peter Barsczeski’s backyard began with a painting by Covington artist Donna Duffy.
Depicting three koi fish swimming among lily pads, the 40-by-40-inch mixed media and acrylic piece hangs in the foyer of their Acadian-style home off Sharp Road in Mandeville.
If you wonder why your koi feed is incorporating so many newer ingredients, read this article. The urgency for self- sustaining feed is because our need to feed fish; both hobby and commercial aquaculture is driving harmful fishing practices around the world.
A koi wrap on a bus was designed by a middle school student who was inspired by koi at the local zoo; now this art is on show for whole community to see. Congratulations to these young artists.
For those of us who are koi hobbyist, we have a great appreciation for the intelligence of our fish. Scientists, now studying more of the aquatic world and are researching the powers and intelligence of our finned friends. Another review of a study regarding the memory of fish.
"It is popularly believed that fish have a memory span of only 30 seconds. Canadian scientists, however, have demonstrated that this is far from true -- in fact, fish can remember context and associations up to twelve days later."
A reminder that koi can live quite a bit of time out of water. I had an unfortunate situation when a young koi leapt from the pond, and in the morning finding it unresponsive (and presumed dead), I placed back in water and gently massaged and moved in the water to reintroduce water running through the mouth. I still have this koi, called Phantom, in my pond today.
For our more scientific readers, a study on long fins and how they were passed from one generation to another. Included is just a bit of history of the developement of the butterfly koi.
Our hobby of koi keeping began several centuries ago in Japan, and in this country, there is a different way of looking at the evolving seasons. I would like to share this beautiful video with you that depicts the 72 micro-seasons as defined by the early Japanese culture. The video is slightly over 4 minutes and very worth your time. It invites you slow down and watch nature; please enjoy these few minutes away from the rush of your day.
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!If you're not havin' FUN, you're not doin' it right
