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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!
Did you know the legend of the waterfall, where a single Koi were rewarded for its perseverance and determination and turned into a dragon? Read on, after the break...
1. Koi originate from Japan and represent love and friendship in Japanese culture.
2. Owners who received their Koi as a gift are believed to have good luck.
3. In Japan, Koi are often passed down from generation to generation, as a family heirloom.
When we think of fish with amazing capbilities, the electric eel always comes to mind. Nasa thinks so too! Read this fascinating story after the break!
Not only are Carp an invasive species that destroy the ecosystem for native fish (and Koi should NEVER be released into the wild), but they also dominate other invasive species. Full text of this interesting study after the break...
We all know that feeding our Koi on pellets that are too large can sometimes cause mouth sores. Here is an interesting article about Carp and the amount of bite force that they use. Full text after the break...
When I first learned that Koi could sense pressure waves by means of their 'Lateral Line', I thought that fish had super-powers! They are just so well adapted to their environment! Read this article about another fish with even more amazing super-powers. Full text after the break...
This question is answered by Syd Mitchell, after the break...
I love this article about the evolution of slime coat to be a defense! We think our Koi are beautiful, but take a look at this amazing fish! Full story after the break...
Veterinarians have criticised EU rules on organic farming that demands that fish are treated with homoeopathic remedies. In line with EU regulations, the first line of treatment for organic fish should be 'substances from plants, animals or minerals in a homeopathic dilution.' British and Norwegian vets have called the directives 'scientifically illiterate', saying that the use of homeopathy could lead to 'serious animal health and welfare detriment.' Read more after the break...
Someone asked me the other day how to best deter predators from ponds. The primary predators are fish-eating birds like Herons. They wade in the water and kill anything that moves. They will actually kill every Koi in the pond (or poke a hole in the larger fish), even though they can only eat one fish. Racoons can't catch a healthy fish, but will eat one that is near the edge because it is sick or dying. To test that theory, stand in your pond, and try to catch a fish by hand. Even assuming you are smarter and have bigger hands than coons, bet you can't catch the Koi (unless they are used to you feeding them by hand)! Here is a great article by Syd Mitchell to answer the plastic heron debate, and to discuss alternatives to keep your pond safe. Hint - the very best system uses several of the devices pictures above (sold as Pond Scarecrows). Full text after the break...
When I first read this research paper, I was hopeful that the adverse affects of contraceptives waste found in water would actually turn out to be useful to Koi Keepers as a future way to prevent or control spawning in Koi ponds. While it is clear that exposure to low doses of contraceptive waste does affect fish, the findings showed it was limited to subsequent generations. This may not ever be applicable for Koi keepers, but perhaps suggests that there is hope for future research regarding contraception and Koi! Full article after the break...
The ocean quahog would have to be the oldest living creature! It’s a bivalve mollusc that can live as long as 507 years! Read More after the break...
Many Koi keepers report Koi forming social groups and even playing games together. But Lionfish actually cooperate to hunt! Full article after the break...
While scientists have theories about how fish first crawled onto land and breathed air, it's a mystery as to how vertebrates evolved tongues instead of feeding using suction. This article may suggest the answer! Read full article after the break...
Remote diagnosis of diseases is available using a cheap flexible film and smartphone app. While this technology is aimed at people diseases in remote areas, the science is fascinating, and with luck, will one day be applicable to helping us diagnose diseases in our Koi! Full story after the break...
This article was written by K.O.I. Instructor Ken Austin, for the SKAPA Newsletter.
In a previous post, I mentioned that both Koi and Goldfish must now be labeled as Invasive when sold in New York. This article discusses the word done by University of Notre Dame on carp prevention barriers for the Great Lakes. Read more after the break...
Most K.O.I. students can tell you that the problem of resistant bacteria starts with a less than total kill when using antibiotics. That's why you MUST always use all the prescribed doses for the prescribed amount of time! Studies are being undertaken to understand the genetic foundation for resistance to antibiotics in bacterial isolated from fish. Read more after the break...
Indonesians are getting into Koi in a big way! Full article after the break...
Please Read Full Article after the break...
Have you ever wondered how one species diverges into two? Why are there so many different fishes? This article offers insight into the process. Full text after the break...
Normally, we think of evolution as something we can't see - it takes too long. But in the case of fish, evolutionary changes in behavior, female to male ratio and physical appearance have been meaured! Full text of this fascinating study below...
Did you ever wonder how a fish gets oxygen out of the water? It has to do with haemoglobin. CLICK HERE If you want to learn more about the K.O.I. Physiology course, where haemoglobin is explained. One of the most interesting things about fish physiology is that each fish has evolved different adeptations, and the various schemes to deal with different environments are fascinating! This article is about Antarctic ocotpus, and their amazing adaptation to cold water.
We all know our Koi have swim bladders, but do you know what it's used for, and how it's affected by Boyle's Law? If you don't, take K.O.I.'s Physiology course and learn! CLICK HERE to learn more about the Physiology course.
This article is not about Koi, but is about science!
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!If you're not havin' FUN, you're not doin' it right
