| While you may purchase young, small koi, like | | | | intense color in cooler weather, so keep your |
| other species of creatures, they will adapt | | | | tank temperature in a moderate zone. If |
| their growth and size somewhat, to the | | | | you'd like to have males and females, ask for |
| restrictions of space. Food and overall | | | | help from the breeder or store in sexing your |
| conditions in the aquarium will also affect | | | | purchases. Very young koi are difficult to |
| their growth rate, with premium food being | | | | tell apart, although young adult females tend |
| important, and overfeeding to be avoided both | | | | to have a fuller, cigar type shape.Some of |
| for the health of the fish, and the health of | | | | the more attractive varieties of koi |
| the tank environment.Clean water is a must, | | | | include:Kohaku- White body and red pattern |
| as is good aeration. Large fish eat a lot of | | | | down the back. One of the most popular |
| food and produce a lot of waste. If you have | | | | varieties for koi hobbyists.Tashio Sanke- |
| a 50-gallon tank, and several fish, you may | | | | White body and red patterned back, with black |
| need a filtration system whose capacity is | | | | accentsShowa Sanke- A three colored variety, |
| actually over 50 gallons, in order to keep | | | | having a black body, with white and red |
| the water as clean as possible.You might like | | | | accents, although some strains have more |
| to choose from several of the varieties of | | | | whiteBekko, Utsuri- Body color is |
| koi, for a more interesting mix of colors, | | | | non-metallic black on white, yellow or |
| but remember that koi in their natural | | | | red.Love Tropical Fish? |
| outdoor environment, tend to have more | | | | |