How does koi carp reproduction work?

Koi carp was selected in Japan from common carp originating in Asia. What I am about to explain may not please you, but it was originally bred primarily for the taste of its flesh.

It is a freshwater fish found in Europe, Asia, America, and the Orient. Abundant vegetation is important. In the wild, spawning takes place in shallow waters.

A little history on koi carp breeding

In Europe, koi carp were quickly used as ornamental fish, symbolizing wealth and, above all, good luck on your property. The first colored carp were bred in the early 1800s. It was not until the end of the 19th century that most varieties were established.

How to make koi carp breeding easier in your pond?

• Plant enough water lilies or submerged plants to simulate a natural habitat. These plants will allow the fish to attach their eggs to them. Do your koi carp eat all your plants? You can easily use spawning brushes for ponds.

How do my koi carp reproduce?

A koi carp reaches sexual maturity at the age of 2 to 3 years. Its growth rate also plays a role. It is also important to know that the sex ratio for achieving good results is two or three males for every female. Young koi carp are most fertile between 2 and 5 years old.

Generally, the first koi carp eggs can hatch after about a week, releasing a hundred or even thousands of individuals. A high and consistent temperature is conducive to the faster development of your koi carp eggs. The warmer the water, the faster they hatch.

How to tell a male koi carp from a female?

How can you distinguish a male koi carp from a female koi carp? In fact, you can observe nuptial tubercles on the gill covers, and in males, the body is slimmer and more elongated. In male koi carp, the pectoral fins are often larger than those of females.

In females, the genital opening is rounded and convex. In males, it is concave and more elongated. During spawning season, a koi carp ready to spawn has a wide and soft abdomen. The male must release its milt over the eggs.

How to create an environment suitable for koi carp fry?

If you want to make breeding easier, we advise you to avoid handling your females too much during spawning season, otherwise you could cause them to expel many eggs.

It is advisable to feed the females well before the breeding phase so that they are in good physical condition.

If you observe breeding (eggs + milt), we advise you to isolate the males, which tend to feed on eggs during the breeding season (high-protein diet due to their energy needs).

If you have sufficient vegetation and spawning brushes as explained above, your eggs will be protected more effectively.

When a koi carp is a mini fry, it can survive for a few days on its energy reserves. The young tend to attach themselves to aquatic plants in the pond (pondweed, water lilies, water crowfoot, watermilfoil, ceratophyllum).

How to feed baby (fry) koi carp?

After a few days, the fry begin to swim faster and feed on microorganisms present in the water. From that point on, you can start feeding your fry brine shrimp, worms, ... After two to three weeks, you can start feeding them small granules.

Do you have a question about breeding your koi carp? Contact us now

Step-by-step summary to promote the breeding of your koi

1. Choose the breeders: adult koi carp in good condition, in a pond large enough to accommodate the future fry, with clean and well-oxygenated water.
2. Wait for the right season: spawning generally takes place in spring or early summer, when the water temperature rises.
3. Prepare the spawning supports: dense aquatic plants or spawning brushes, to which the eggs attach and are less exposed.
4. Carefully collect the eggs: spawning brushes allow you to move the eggs without touching them, into a separate tank for incubation.
5. Monitor the fry: clean and oxygenated water, then food suited to their size until they accept small granules.