Buying Koi Fish

 

 

 Buying koi fish is a great way to add character and elegance to your backyard. However, it is important to be cautious and do your homework when purchasing these aquatic creatures. Having a reputable dealer is crucial to maintaining a healthy and happy koi pond. Several factors determine a koi's price tag. These include its age, gender, and the quality of its skin. Also, it should be properly quarantined to protect against disease.

 

The most expensive koi in history was S Legend, a female red and white Kohaku that sold for $1.8 million. She was three feet, three inches long, and her ancestry was traced back to the ancient Kohaku variety. Top-quality koi can be expensive, but they're well worth it. The koi fish can live for decades if they are properly cared for and nurtured. They are often called "the Japanese flag," because they have a pure white body with a large red dot on their head. There are many different kinds of koi, each with its unique coloration and patterning. Some have light blue spots, while others have large red patches on their backs. There are also metallic koi that look like gold. When choosing a koi, make sure you know its age and gender before making the purchase. You can determine the age of a koi by its length. Typically, once they reach ten inches in length they are considered mature.

 

A koi's body shape and color can help you determine its age as well. Male koi have a slender body, while female koi have a more rounded one, especially during spawning season. The vent on the underside of a koi can also help you determine its gender. A male's vent will be crossed in a "T" shape while a female's vent will be more round and pink in color. You can also inspect a koi's fins to determine its gender. Male koi's pectoral fins will appear pointed and solid in color, while female koi's fins will be more round and flow like delicate wings. Another way to tell a koi's gender is by examining its tail. A male koi's tail will be longer than a female's and have a larger curved tip. This helps you distinguish the two species easily.

 

It is also helpful to examine the scale formation on your koi's body. A koi's scales should be even throughout the body, and no patches or markings should be darker than others. You can also inspect its eyes, which should be bright and clear. When a koi's eyes aren't pristine, it can affect its appearance and vigor. If the eyes are dull, it could mean that the koi is undernourished or in an unhealthy environment. You can also inspect the scales on your koi's body to see how they change in size over time. During the spawning season, the koi's body should change to accommodate the growing eggs. There are a lot of koi fish in the market, but it is important to choose high-quality ones for your pond. It is best to get koi that have been grown by a reputable breeder. You can find a list of good koi breeders in your area on the internet. Get a general overview of the topic here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_koi.