koi fish

Koi Fish are known to live for twenty to thirty years.  The oldest Koi fish, Hanako, was 226 years old.  The most popular varieties of Koi Fish are:

• Kohaku (red and white)
• Sanke (red, white and black)
• Showa (black, red and white)

(But not necessarily in that order.)

People enjoy the interaction and colors the fish add to the pond.  The fish are tame and are often taught to eat right from your hand.

The fish can grow up to three feet in length.  The hobby originated in Japan and spread across the world around 50 years ago.  Advanced hobbyists enter their fish into shows and they compete for the most beautiful fish.