How Old are Koi Fish?

         Koi are a rare kind of fish. They’re almost considered mythological creatures in Japan. The facts and myths about these fish have been intertwined and embellished throughout the years. It’s difficult for even the best authorities on the subject to tell where history stops and fable begins.

         And it’s odd to see such a tradition grow around fish. Ask three separate authorities on the precise historical point at which the varied color of koi were first observed, and you’ll get three distinctly different answers. And for heaven’s sake, don’t even bother to ask them who first recorded the existence of koi – a fistfight is liable to break out.

        You are beginning to see the larger picture. Much of the history of the koi, especially the ancient history is shrouded in a vague fog, clouded by time, colored by folktales, and embellished by stories handed down from one generation to the next.

        It’s believed by at least some of the most respected koi experts that the fish are native to Persia. They were taken from their home country by various visitors stunned and infatuated by their beauty. That is how they began their journey around the world.

        From Persia, their travels can be directly traced to China and Japan. It’s believed that these beautiful fish originally began as common-looking fish. How common, you wonder? According to some experts, koi were originally a drab gray. They foraged in streams, sifting the bottom of the stream bed for food.

Rugged and hardy, Koi fish were an important source of food for many people. But beautiful, they were not!

How old should your Koi fish be when you buy it? 

        This is a never-ending debate among those who love koi: How old should your fish be when you buy it? Many experts and experienced hobbyists say you should only buy mature fish, and should never buy the young ones.

      They say that when you buy a young koi, you’re never quite sure about the eventual quality of the markings. As a Koi ages , sometimes its markings fade. Just as often, they say the markings may improve with age. Which way will that young fish go? Only time will tell.

        In choosing this gorgeous fish for your aquarium or pond, consider the ultimate health of the individual Koi. Check the fish for any signs of infectious or parasitic disease.

        For the most part, though, you’ll be looking for holes in the fins, missing scales, or scales which have grown back, but not very well as well as bent fin rays. You’ll also want to make sure the Koi you finally select are free from curvature of the spine and any problems with the eyes.