Koi History?

Koi - Swimming Back To The Past

Almost 2500 years ago, the Koi (a descendent of Magoi, a black fish, or better known as a common carp; Cyprinus Carpio) was discovered. The Koi was first discovered by the Chinese in China. They were then introduced to Japan around 200 B.C by the invading Chinese. Though carp fossils almost 20 million years old were discovered in South China, Koi breeding originated in the 18th century in Japan, Niigata.

The Koi, also known as Nishikigoi (a Japanese term for "brocaded" carp), was described in a Chinese book. That book was written during the Western Jin dynasty (265-316 A.D). The carps were described as red, white, blue and black.

It is still a mystery that nobody knows what happened to the Koi during the 2nd to 17th century. However, many speculate that the Koi was gradually spread through the orient (most probably by the trade caravans that move to and from the Middle East.

There was no news about the existence Koi during the 2nd to 17th century. During the 17th century in Yamakoshigo, a village located in Niigata prefecture, rice farmers used carps by placing them in irrigation ponds. These fishes were bred as protein food supplements.

When a farmer discovered that there are carps which are colored red some 200 years ago, farmers started to separate the carps and breed the same type together. Since then, Koi breeding as a pastime grew and more different colored Koi were developed.

This hobby exploded amongst everyone after the 1914 exposition in Tokyo which featured some of the most beautiful Koi that have ever been bred. Some of these beautiful fishes were even presented to the Crown Prince Hirohito.

With plastic bags and shipping making the delivery of fish fast and safe, the hobby of breeding Koi spread throughout the world like wildfire. With this, the shipping of fishes is safe, allowing low mortality rate.

At present, there are over a hundred different color variations of Koi. Each and every Koi are unique and the patterns on their body are all different from one another; just like our thumbprints. The breeding of Koi has become such a popular hobby that it has been taken up by millions of people all around the world.