# Koi (*Cyprinus carpio*) Koi are colorful fish that swim gracefully in ponds. They come in many colors like orange, white, and black. People love watching them glide through the water. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Ponds - **Also known as:** Brocade Carp, Nishikigoi ![Koi](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426826/objects/6190.jpg) ## Appearance The Koi has a torpedo-shaped body adorned with striking, vibrant patterns of red, white, black, yellow, and blue. Its large scales and flowing fins give it a majestic appearance, clearly distinguishing it from duller pond fish. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Cypriniformes - **Family:** Cyprinidae - **Genus:** Cyprinus ## Interesting facts - A single, prized Koi fish can sell for more than a luxury car! - Koi can actually change their colors and patterns slightly as they grow! - Some Koi are even named, and have specific lineages like royal families! - The oldest documented Koi fish lived to be an amazing 226 years old! ## Special abilities - **Sensory Whiskers:** Koi use their barbels, whisker-like organs near their mouths, to feel and taste food in murky water, helping them find snacks easily. - **Long Life:** Koi can live for many decades because of their robust genes and careful breeding, allowing them to grow very large. - **Human Recognition:** Koi can recognize individual humans by their faces and voices because of their sharp memory, helping them learn who feeds them. - **Air Gulping:** Koi can gulp air from the surface when water oxygen is low, which helps them survive temporary poor water conditions. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-90 cm - **Weight:** 2-15 kg - **Lifespan:** 25-50 years - **Swim Speed:** 10 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 10 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding Koi are omnivores, eating almost anything from plants to small insects. - **Primary Foods:** Algae, Aquatic plants, Worms, Insects, Small crustaceans, Commercial pellets - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — Tall bird that spears fish from pond edges. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Clever mammal that catches fish from shallow water. - **Eats:** Water Net Algae (*Hydrodictyon reticulatum*) — Koi graze on various aquatic plants and algae. - **Eats:** Tubifex Worm (*Tubifex tubifex*) — Koi forage for small invertebrates in pond substrate. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always be gentle around koi fish and never try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Koi? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Koi? 30-90 cm ### How much does Koi weigh? 2-15 kg ### How long does Koi live? 25-50 years ### What does Koi eat? Koi are omnivores, eating almost anything from plants to small insects. ### How fast can Koi swim? 10 km/h ### Where is Koi usually found? Ponds ### How does Koi hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Belle Isle Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belle-isle-aquarium) — US · Zoo - [Sarasota Jungle Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sarasota-jungle-gardens) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Zoo de Castellar](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-castellar) — Andalusia, ES · Zoo - [Blank Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blank-park-zoo) — Iowa, US · Zoo - [San Francisco Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-francisco-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Zoo de Cerza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-cerza) — Normandy, FR · Zoo [View all places to see Koi](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/koi) ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Koi: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/koi)