Showa Koi (Cyprinus carpio var. Showa) Care Guide
Showa is a black-based, three-colour ornamental koi variety carrying red and white markings, kept in outdoor ponds.
Overview
Showa (Showa Sanshoku) is an ornamental variety of koi, the domesticated coloured carp. According to Wikipedia, the variety was established in 1927 by Shigekichi Hoshino and belongs to the Gosanke, the most popular koi category alongside Kohaku and Taisho Sanshoku. It is defined as a black koi marked with red (hi) and white (shiroji).
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Variety: Cyprinus carpio var. Showa
- Note: koi are domesticated colour variants derived primarily from Amur carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus), not a separate species
Description
Wikipedia describes Showa as a black-based koi bearing red and white markings. It is one of the three-colour varieties; modern specimens show increased white, which can make them difficult to distinguish from Taisho Sanke. Koi breeding systematically began in the 1820s in the Niigata Prefecture of Japan.
Tank requirements
- Minimum volume: 4000 L (about 1057 gal); koi are pond fish
- Temperature: 4-26 °C (39-79 °F); Wikipedia notes koi do well around 15-25 °C
- pH: 7-8.5
- GH: 8-20 °dGH
- Pond depth: at least 1.5 m where winters are harsh (Wikipedia)
- Lifespan: about 25-50 years
Diet
Koi are omnivorous. Wikipedia notes they will eat plant items such as peas, lettuce and watermelon in addition to prepared foods. Feeding should stop when water temperature drops below about 10 °C, as digestion slows in the cold.
Compatibility
Koi are peaceful and are typically kept in groups of other koi in outdoor ponds. They are large, heavy-bodied fish that uproot and consume soft plants, so heavily planted layouts are not suitable. Owing to their adult size of 60-90 cm they are unsuitable for indoor aquaria.