Japanese Garden Design

Koi fish ponds are the rage right now because of the aesthetic value and implied meaning of having pet Koi fish. A garden pond is not only good to look at, but Koi fish also mean friendship and love, and are even considered by others to be a symbol of good luck. Thus a Koi pond is not simply a decorative element in a garden, but it also stands for something greater. Regardless of the breed, these gentle fish exude a sense of calm and relaxation, another thing that makes Koi fish ponds a must in many landscapes, especially ones designed with a distinct Zen feel to them. Especially with particular breeds of Koi that have special markings, a garden pond can serve as a good water complement and element to your greens and browns. A Koi pond is not really that hard to maintain besides the usual rigors required in fish care, as Koi are very hardy and can adapt to different atmospheres and surroundings.

A Brief History

Koi are basically a breed or type of carp, purposely bred for pets and not for human consumption. The etymology of the term is simple enough – it means “carp” in Japanese. The development of Koi, however, is not limited to the Japanese, as it also has its roots in China and various parts of East Asia. And a bit of trivia – it was the breeding of carp – Prussian carp, to be specific – that led to the emergence of gold fish. Carp breeding for color patterns is not a new thing, as China practiced this more than a thousand years ago. But it was through the Japanese that Koi breeding became prevalent – sometime in 1914, during an exposition in Tokyo. Before that though, some areas in Japan were specializing in Koi breeding, some as early as the 1820’s.

Care

One important point in maintaining a Koi pond is to keep the filter clean at all times, and regularly subject it to cleaning. As with all filters a Koi fish pond’s filter will accumulate dirt after a period of time, and especially with a big garden pond, even heavy-duty filters need to be regularly cleaned and checked for any damage or malfunctions. Having ammonia build-up in a tank or garden pond will eventually harm your fish, so be sure that does not happen. Summer is usually the most active time for Koi, as this is mating season, and they will also need more food, and must be fed 3-5 times a day. When a Koi is hungry, it surfaces repeatedly, so you should look out for signs like that to know when it’s feeding time. Germ-rich food is best, as it helps the fish have better digestion.

Koi are gentle pets that are both lucky and pretty to look at. It is no surprise that many people are taken with these multicoloured and gleaming fish that are considered to stand for love and friendship. They are a positive energy in every garden and landscape, and the addition of a Koi fish pond is sure to make your garden a much homier and relaxing place to be.