Butterfly Koi Cyprinus carpio species

Common NameCyprinidae Butterfly Koi

Scientific Name Cyprinus carpio species

Family Cyprinidae

Community Koi

Class Koi

Temperature 68 ºF

Swimming Range Top-Middle

Adult Length 24-27 inches

Feeding Habits Fresh spinach, zucchini, peas and lettuce. Live plants, fish, blood worms, tadpoles, glass worms, earthworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and tubifex worms. Frozen plankton, vegetable diet, daphnia, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Tablet and pellet foods made for koi are also accepted. Feed Koi small amounts at least twice a day. Compatibility An active, peaceful and schooling fish that mixes well with other similar sized Koi. Smaller fish may be eaten.

Habitat Japan: Outdoor pond moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood. Floating plants are recommended to provide shade and keep algae growth down.

Breeding The males have a larger head and longer pectoral fins. During spawning up to 750,000 greenish colored eggs can be produced.

Additional Comments There are many different color variations of Koi available. Their average life span is 60 years.