Here at Autumn Creek in East Amherst, NY we are pleased to number a koi pond and waterfall among our amenities. The combination of the waterfall, pond, and fish create a picturesque haven to get away from the busy clamor of everyday life. In today’s post, we’ll be sharing some info about the history of koi along with some fun facts.
Koi fish, which today are ornamental varieties of domesticated common carp (Cyprinus carpio), kept in outdoor ponds or water gardens were once bred for food. That’s right, instead of simply being enjoyed for their beauty, koi were eaten. However, in the 20th century, the Japanese began experimenting with breeding rather than eating them, and two-hundred years later, selective breeding has created some amazing specimens. Today koi are kept for their elegance and beauty rather than their culinary value.
Fun Facts About Koi
(Information from Just Fun Facts)
—There are more than 20 varieties of koi fish that differ in color, patterns, and type of scales. New koi varieties are still being actively developed.
—Koi fish have a typical life span ranging from 30 to 60 years. There are authenticated cases, however, in which koi have lived over 200 years.
—Koi are an omnivorous fish and will eat a wide variety of foods including insects, snails, worms, algae, plants, and fruit. Koi food is designed not only to be nutritionally balanced, but also to float so as to encourage them to come to the surface.
—Koi fish can have many symbolic meanings, with two of the most popular being good fortune and overcoming adversity. The symbolism of the Koi fish comes from the legend that a Koi fish that is able to swim upstream, and all the way up the Yellow River Falls, will be rewarded by being turned into a dragon.
Those are just some of the highlights. This quick read, The History of Koi Fish and Surprising Fish Facts, provides additional information about koi and how koi ponds became a part of the landscape of elegant design.
While we do hope that none of our residents have the same experience Michael Scott did, we do want to invite everyone to enjoy our koi pond and waterfall this summer. So the next time you’re out and about, take a few minutes to enjoy the serenity it provides. Thanks for reading today’s post.