Koi Tank
Koi
This species is the most famously bred into the colourful “Koi,” a freshwater fish admired around the world for its striking beauty and calm swimming style. Unlike the plain, wild carp from rivers, koi varieties display vivid colours and patterns (reds, whites, yellows, blacks, and oranges) that look like living watercolours.
They are strong swimmers and natural grazers, often nibbling at plants or gently stirring up the bottom in search of food. In ponds and aquariums, they’re known for recognising their keepers, sometimes gathering at the surface for hand feeding.
Reproduction happens in spring and summer, when females scatter thousands of sticky eggs onto aquatic plants. The young hatch within a few days, starting life as tiny, almost transparent fish. Over time, selective breeding has produced many different koi varieties, each with its own unique colour combination.
Native to East Asia, they have since been introduced worldwide as ornamental pond fish. In the Mediterranean, including Malta, they are seen only in ornamental or managed freshwater settings, not in the wild.
While not endangered, koi need responsible care. Because they can live for decades and grow over half a metre long, they should never be bought without planning for their lifelong needs. In the wild, releasing them into rivers can upset local ecosystems, so aquarists must take care never to let them go.
Koi Tank
Koi
This species is the most famously bred into the colourful “Koi,” a freshwater fish admired around the world for its striking beauty and calm swimming style. Unlike the plain, wild carp from rivers, koi varieties display vivid colours and patterns (reds, whites, yellows, blacks, and oranges) that look like living watercolours.
They are strong swimmers and natural grazers, often nibbling at plants or gently stirring up the bottom in search of food. In ponds and aquariums, they’re known for recognising their keepers, sometimes gathering at the surface for hand feeding.
Reproduction happens in spring and summer, when females scatter thousands of sticky eggs onto aquatic plants. The young hatch within a few days, starting life as tiny, almost transparent fish. Over time, selective breeding has produced many different koi varieties, each with its own unique colour combination.
Native to East Asia, they have since been introduced worldwide as ornamental pond fish. In the Mediterranean, including Malta, they are seen only in ornamental or managed freshwater settings, not in the wild.
While not endangered, koi need responsible care. Because they can live for decades and grow over half a metre long, they should never be bought without planning for their lifelong needs. In the wild, releasing them into rivers can upset local ecosystems, so aquarists must take care never to let them go.
