The very thought of having a Japanese Garden reflects tranquil moments. Perhaps you already have your Japanese Garden in place and now you are ready to add some finishing touches to it. There is no better way to do this then to introduce those magnificent and beautiful Koi fish to it. Many believe Koi to symbolize good luck which make adding the Koi fish to your Japanese Garden a big plus. The Japanese also understand the Koi Fish to be a symbol of friendship and love.

Koi fish have never been bred for the purpose of becoming a food staple. They are very much like a carp on a much smaller scale. Although the Japanese are well known as breeders of Koi, there are also magnificent Koi species being breed throughout various parts of Asia.

If you are wondering about the exquisite color patterns of the Koi you can thank the care that is taken during the breeding process. For Koi breeding is not something new on the horizon and actually dates back to the 1800’s.

It’s a great decision, to have Koi added to your Japanese water garden. In doing so though you have to realize that there is care and maintenance involved in this. Koi demand a clean living environment and if they are not supplied with this they will not survive. This means you must be filtering and cleaning the pond continuously.  Be sure to inspect your filters regularly to ensure they have not become clogged. On a daily basis be sure to remove the debris such as leaves and grass that may have blown into the pond. If debris is left, it may help in the formation of types of algae.

If you learn to study your Koi carefully they will tell you when they are hungry. You will see them come to the surface repeatedly. Be careful not to overfeed them though as this too will contaminate the water. You will find several different types of koi food on the market but you really want to purchase a type that is germ rich as they seem to digest this more readily.

You will also find that your Koi have an increased appetite during breeding season. This is during the summer months so feel free to meet the demand.

Realize that Koi are sociable and thrive on company of their own kind. They prefer to swim in groups. This means that ideally you should have several in your pond but don’t over crowd it or the living conditions will not be sufficient for their health.

They are a beautiful fish and should be kept in optimum health. Inspect them regularly to make sure that none of them are sick. Avoid handling the Koi as they have a slimy film that covers them to protect them. Too much handling will destroy the film and put them at risk of illness.

If you follow these few simple rules, your Japanese water garden will be full of happy, healthy Koi fish you can enjoy for years to come.