Sanke Koi Care Guide
Sanke is a three-colour ornamental variety of koi carp (Cyprinus carpio var.) with a white body marked by red and black.
Overview
Sanke is one of the classic three-colour ornamental varieties of koi, a colour form of domesticated carp kept for decorative purposes. According to Wikipedia, most modern ornamental koi descend from the Amur carp and were bred systematically in Niigata, Japan, beginning in the early 19th century. The Sanke (Taishō Sanshoku) variety carries a white body marked with red (hi) and black (sumi) patterning and was established as a recognised breed during the Taishō era.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Scientific name: Cyprinus carpio var. Sanke
- Type: ornamental colour variety of domesticated carp
Habitat
Koi are domesticated ornamental fish rather than a wild population. FishBase records the parent species Cyprinus carpio as native to the Black, Caspian and Aral Sea basins, inhabiting slow-flowing rivers and vegetated lakes with soft bottom sediments. Ornamental koi are kept in garden ponds, which Wikipedia notes should be at least 1 to 1.5 metres deep depending on climate.
Tank requirements
- Minimum volume: 4000 L (pond)
- Temperature: 4-26 °C (39-79 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.5
- GH: 8-20 °dGH
- Lifespan: 25-50 years
Wikipedia notes that koi do best within a 15-25 °C range and have weakened immunity below 10 °C, so they tolerate cool conditions but should not be held at long, near-freezing temperatures.
Diet
Koi are omnivorous. Wikipedia notes they accept a wide range of foods, including plant matter such as peas, lettuce and watermelon, in addition to prepared diets. The KB record lists feeding twice daily.
Compatibility
Koi are peaceful, high-bioload pond fish that swim mainly in the middle of the water column. They are best kept with other koi in spacious ponds and are not suited to standard aquarium-only setups given their large adult size of 60-90 cm.