Today we are going to explore how to care for Koi fish and its significance and meaning. The Koi Fish is one of the most colorful and striking fish of Chinese / Japanese origin. It is known by the name Carp or Koi Fish (it is from the Carp Fish family).
How to care for koi fishes
It can achieve a size of between 50 and 90 centimeters and it’s highly sought after because it adapts to both high and low temperatures, making it ideal to have in your aquarium or that koi fish pond to give it color and life.
Its place of origin is Asia and it is present in some parts of Europe, but at present, it is present in all continents of the world. Its natural habitat is stagnant or poorly flowing waters
Its resistance is quite important and it can withdraw freshwater such as brackish and temperature that can vary between 17 to 24 degrees. This article is all about the Koi fish, how to care for it in Feng Shui, and its benefits.
Feng Shui and Fish Significance
They are classified as omnivorous fish and the most frequent menu in their natural habitat is aquatic plants, zooplankton, crustaceans, mollusks, arthropods, and dead fish.
But when they are in aquariums or in our ponds we can give them vegetables, fruits, cereals, and earthworms or larvae, flies, ants, and dragonflies, among others that are well received by the fish.
Something that we should know is that they have a small digestive tract, for which we must control a lot of food and this we can also control for seasons in winter, only once a day we feed it, but in summer we can it several times.
What is the meaning of Koi Fish?
Surely many would have seen koi fish before in a tattoo, an art of which Koi fish is one of the great allies thanks to its appearance and especially its symbolism.
- One of the icons of China carries a story of mysticism, rural stories, and other details that make up the legend of the Koi fish
- Koi fish is a type of carp of which there are up to 50 different types depending on their color.
What do Koi fish symbolize?
As explained before, From the beginning of the 19th century, the Japanese realized that the koi fish mutated into other species of different coloration: from the Kohaku, which is white-bodied and red spots, to the Yamabuki, golden in color.
Following the discovery, locals separated those beautifully colored Koi fish into secluded ponds, conserving them as their Nishikigoi (or ornamental animals).
In Asian culture, each fish has symbolism based on color. Hence the color blue represents masculinity or peace, while red evokes love, and passion.
Koi fish Spiritual meaning
Now let’s check how many koi fish are lucky for the Feng Shui Aquarium.
How many koi fish is lucky:
A lucky number of koi fish Significance and Usage 1 Fish New hope, New start 3 Fish Career advancement and growth 6 Fish Improves overall luck 8 Fish Money, wealth, Abundance (prosperity) 9 Fish This is the luckiest number of Koi fish to have. It associated with a Long life
Why are koi fish so special?
Regarding the “real world,” the cultivation of Koi fish in Feng Shui rice ponds was introduced by the Chinese in Japan in the 16th century, specifically in Nigeria prefecture, where winters were especially cold.
- During these seasons, Japanese farmers decided to introduce Koi fish into paddy fields, so that they could secure food until spring. With the passage of time, not only did they find in the meat of the koi a tatty delicacy, but they discovered that its droppings were the perfect fertilizer for growing rice.
- Following the discovery, locals separated those beautifully colored koi fish into secluded ponds, conserving them as their Nishikigoi (or ornamental animals).
- In Asian culture, each Koi fish has a symbolism based on color. Hence the color blue represents masculinity or peace, while red evokes love and passion.
Koi Fish Benefits?
Koi fish are good for you in many ways, from making your home look nicer to improving your health and well-being. These are some of the main benefits:
- Aesthetic Appeal: Koi fish are known for having bright colors and pretty designs that can make any pond or water garden look better.
- Peace and Relaxation: Watching koi fish swim smoothly can be very relaxing and help relieve stress, which is good for your mental health and well-being.
- Significance and Feng Shui: Koi fish are a sign of wealth, luck, persistence, and strength in many cultures, especially in Japanese and Chinese practices. Lots of people use them in Feng Shui to bring in good energy and plenty of money.
- Value for Education: Taking care of koi fish can be a fun and useful way to learn about patience, responsibility, and the basics of aquatic biology and ecology.
- Socializing: Koi fish ponds can be the center of social events, giving friends and family a place to hang out that is both calm and interesting.
- Natural Pest Control: Koi fish eat different kinds of insects and their eggs in the pond, which helps keep the number of insects under control.
- Adding Value to Your Home: A well-kept koi pond can add value to your home by providing a unique and appealing garden feature.
- Therapeutic Benefits: Taking care of koi fish and a pond can be a relaxing hobby that connects you to nature and gives you a sense of satisfaction.
- Benefits for the environment: A koi pond can help local wildlife by giving water plants, insects, and birds a place to live. This is good for the ecosystem.
- Personal Satisfaction: Breeding, growing, and taking care of koi fish is a hobby that brings a lot of joy and satisfaction to many people.
How to care for koi fish
Caring for koi fish is very important as they grow and get large quickly. Once they become mature. Keep Koi in an outdoor that needs to be at least 3 feet deep. Another point is that the water level must be adequate with at least 50 gallons of water per fish.
On another hand, Young Koi can be kept indoors in an aquarium with water of at least 29 gallons. Place the aquarium where they can get direct sunlight and drafts
Where do koi fish live
Though they are not wide, these fish can and do survive in wild freshwater habitats such as lakes and ponds.
what do koi fish eat
Koi fishes are omnivorous (eat all). They eat many varieties of foods: like peas, lettuce, and watermelon. Koi fish food must be nutritionally balanced but also allow them to float so that they can come to the surface. Find Fish Food Items here.
What to feed koi fish and what to avoid.
- Fish Treats: Fruits, vegetables and meats
- Foods to avoid: High Carb (peas corn and bread)
what does a koi fish baby eat
Koi fish Baby can eat things like fish flakes, powdered freeze-drilled krill frozen daphnia cubes. There are wide varieties of koi fish babies in the market that you can buy.
Last update on 2025-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
are koi fish good to eat?
For many people, koi fish are like pets to them. But with regards to this question “Can we eat koi fish”, the answer is yes.
These fish can be eaten and their prices are very high as well. But before you buy them you need to check the vendor as many places they are fed chemicals that are not good for your health. But on the other hand, there are some taboos below.
Why Koi fish cannot be eaten?
For many people, the koi is just like carp meat, Also koi meat. Which is a bit tough to chew. Also, another fact is that koi fish shallows, in stagnant water, so the risk of picking up a bacterial infection from them is high. Finally, it’s up to you, whether you want to eat or not.
Different types of koi fish
There are almost 100 varieties of koi fish, but below we are going to discover the top 13 types based on their colors, which are quite popular.
| Koi Fish Type | Color |
| Kohaku | White color (also called shiroji), with red blotches |
| Taisho Snake | White, red and black. |
| Showa | White, red and black colors |
| Tancho | Snow white body with crimson red colored spot on its head black colored body (karasu) with red (hi) white (shiroji), or yellow (ki) markings |
| Bekko | White, red or yellow color |
| Asagi | Blue, red, orange color |
| Shusui | Pale blue or white and red |
| Koromo | White and red |
| Goshiki | White colored body, blue black |
| Kawarimono | Yellow, red, green, blue, white colors |
| Hikari muji | shimmering color |
| Hikari Moyo | shimmering color |
How Often Do Koi Fish Lay Eggs?
Koi fish can lay koi fish eggs usually twice a year. Koi fish mating age starts at between 3-6 years old
How Long Do Koi Fish Live In A Pond?
Koi fishes can live 100 years, but only if well cared for. In general, they live 20-30 years. The fish grow very fast span of their life, so Koi demands a big environment and maintenance (which is very costly).
The oldest living fish in history ever- was born in the year 1751(Hanako), in the Tokugawa era in Japan and died on July 7 1977 at the grand age of 226. Really amazing though.
What Is The Meaning Of Koi Fish Dragon?
The Dragon in Feng Shui represents strength, and power, whereas the koi embodies the perseverance and strength of will. When they are used together, the Koi fish dragon represents transformation and rebirth.
What Does A Koi Fish Tattoo Represent?
What is the meaning behind a Koi fish tattoo: Koi fish is also very commonly used in tattoos according to tattoo artists, fish art tattoo means a new beginning, strength, prosperity, determination, independence, perseverance, and good luck. Find top picks for Koi Fish Tattoo.
Where To Buy Koi Fish Drawing?
Koi fish drawing and tattoos are the hot favorites nowadays, as they symbolize the struggles one has overcome. It spreads positivity and hope to others. Here is my top recommendation, if you wish to buy Fish drawings and Koi Fish Wall Paintings.
Last update on 2025-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How Many Koi Fish Is Good Luck?
For you to know the number of fish you have to keep in mind your aquarium to attract good luck, the only thing you have to do is follow the Feng Shui rules
There is a rule, which is to calculate the surface of the water to find out how many fish our aquarium can have, based on that gas exchange. This rule says that an aquarium can house one centimeter of fish, for every 12 square centimeters of the surface.
Keeping red and black koi fish together is a good idea as red is associated with power and energy. This is simply the logic behind the number of Feng Shui Koi good luck fish.
Good Luck Money Fish In Feng Shui
For many, Aquarophilia is more than just a hobby they consider it a true spiritual therapy, and within that context, there is a species that transcended human borders and whose influence is increasingly noticeable in the West. This is the Koi fish.
Today, it is possible to see them in ponds that welcome them home, in special aquariums adapted for their size, in companies whose environment was harmonized to attract good vibes, and even tattooed on the skin.
The documented evidence of the Koi fish ponds dates back thousands of years. Among the reasons for its upbringing, the myths that are woven around this animal stand out. In Shintoism, one of the main religions of Japan, the Kami, or spirits of nature is venerated.
“Hence the philosophy of relaxation, of the change of seasons and the transformation with water in general”. For this reason, in Japanese lands and Chinese, the Koi is considered sacred.
Due to its perseverance to face the problems that appear in its habitat. It is this same resistance that inspired the origin of one of the best-known legends of our time: that of the dragon.
Oral tradition says that the Koi who managed to swim upstream in the Yellow River, up to the point called Dragon Gate, as a reward for their effect upon arrival, transformed into the mythical creatures that spitfire.
For this reason, these fish are believed to attract fortune, both in business and in married and academic life. They are also associated with strength in adversity and persistence.
Koi Betta Fish Feng Shui?
Feng Shui Betta fish should not live alone. Males can live with other species and females can live together. These fish have an organ known as a labyrinth.
A Feng Shui koi betta fish tank should not be too small. They need a stimulating habitat and also enough space to be able to swim.
These fish are known as Siam fighters and hail from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. In their natural habitat, they have slightly less opaque colors when excited.
Despite this, when they are in a fishbowl, they usually give us colors such as green, blue, or red. They have beautiful fins and are very popular with fish lovers.
In fact, they are so in demand that they are the second most common type of fish in home aquariums. They can be purchased at pet stores, they are not too expensive and do not require too much maintenance.
In order to be trained, they require stimulation and space to live well. For this, you have to have a fish tank of a certain size to get them to have enough space to enjoy their living space.
FAQs on How To Care For Koi Fish
Q: How Much Does A Koi Fish Worth + Where To Buy Koi?
You must be wondering “How much do koi fish cost”? The cost and price of the fish depend on certain varieties of it. A high-quality 6-inch (white, shimmery) usually costs around $3000. Whereas a golden, metallic-colored fish of the same size may cost $100.
Q: Can Koi Fish Live Without Oxygen Pump In Lotus Pond?
Koi fish can live without a pump in freshwater but they will not be serviced longer, as they need water to be oxygenated. In the case of a lotus pond, since the water is not clear and has a muddy environment, the survival of koi fish is difficult.
Q: Does Guppy Fish Attack Koi Carp?
Well, guppies are smaller than Koi carp, and they can be attached by koi. So they are not compatible with each other.
Q: Companion of koi carp fish?
Koi fish can be lived with Catfish and Barbel, as they are the same size, in nature. Apart from these two, we can also keep Goldfish, Suckermouth catfish.
Conclusion
Talking more about the spiritual meaning of the Koi Fish, It’s also seen as a symbol for the self. Here we discussed everything about how to care for Koi fish and its care guide.
The ancient Egyptians saw the fish symbol of the soul. In Buddhism, the fish is seen as a sign of spiritual power. Another interpretation is that the fish are capable of taking us to the land of our fantasies (remember the mermaid). Water generally represents emotions, indulgence, letting go, and cleanliness.
Water is a prime symbol, which generally embodies the soul’s own life with conscious and unconscious content. There should be a black koi in each pond as it absorbs negative energy.
Therefore, If you have a black Koi in your pond and it dies, you should be thankful that this koi has captured the bad energy that was going to go against you or your family.
Feng Shui is a well-researched combination of art and science based on neuroscience principles. Bhawana Rathore is a passionate Feng Shui practitioner. She writes at FengShuitricks.com and helps people to enhance and balance their lives by sharing Feng Shui-related information on FengshuiTricks and YouTube Channel. Check out more. If you find the information useful, you can buy me a coffee here.