The word “Koi” means “carp” and originates from the Japanese language. The nomenclature indicates both the brightly colored Koi types and the dull gray fish. In Japan the fish are called nishikigoi. The literal translation of nishikigoi is “brocaded carp”. Koi in Japan means love or affection. Koi in Japan are symbols of love and affection. They have also become a popular subject for tattoos.

The common carp was grown for a food fish in China as far back at the fifth century. It has been concluded through scientific study that there are a minimum of two different subspecies of carp. One is from east Asia and another from Eurasia. Through continuous cross breeding, the various varieties have evolved. Through the study of mitochondrial DNA, it has been learned that Koi are descendents of a variety of hybridized species.

The characteristics that distinguish the Koi are scalation, patterning and coloration. The primary colors of Koi are black, white, yellow, red, blue and cream. The color combinations are unlimited. Breeders have taken it upon themselves to identify certain color combinations. The most popular of the Koi varieties are the Gasanke which consists of the Taisho Sanshoku, the Showa Sanshoku and the Kohaku varieties.

The crossbreeding has continued. As recently as the 1980′s, Ghost Koi was developed in the UK. They are a cross between the wild Koi and the Ogon Koi. Their metallic scales are what distinguish them from other Koi. The dragon carp, which is also known as the Longfin Koi or the Butterfly Koi have long flowing fins which distinguish them from the other varieties. There are those breeders that do not consider the butterfly Koi and ghost Koi to be true Nishikigoi. The development of Koi types continue and the variety of choices increases. There are some who feel that the original Koi types are the only true Koi.

The Various Koi Types

Kohaku: This popular white Koi has red markings on the top of its body. the name Kohaku means red and white. This original Koi developed in the 19th century.

Taisho Sanshoku are also known as Taisho Sanke. In 1914, breeders introduced these types of Koi. They are similar to the Kohaku, but have additional black markings. These small black markings are called sumi. In the United States, they are frequently called Sanke. The kanji can be read as Sanshoku or sanke.

Showa Sanshoku is a black Koi. It has red and white markings. These types of Koi was first shown in 1927 during the Showa empire. The amount of shiroji, white markings, has increased over the years. In the United States the name has been abbreviated to Showa.

Tancho Koi are distinguished by the single red patch that you see on the head of the Koi. The Koi in this category can be either Tancho Showa, Tancho Sanke or Tancho Goshiki. This Koi was named for the Japanese crane. The crane has a red spot on its head also.

Chagoi are tea-colored Koi. The color covers a wide spectrum of colors from a very pale olive drab green to a copper or bonze hue. Recently some have appeared in shades of orange. These particular Koi types are friendly, docile and very large. Keepers like to keep them in their pond with other Koi varieties as they feel they are a sign of good luck.

Asagi Koi is usually red, yellow or cream below the lateral lines of the fish and on its cheeks. The rest of the fish is a beautiful light blue. The name means pale greenish-blue in Japanese and also spring onion or indigo.

Utsurimono Koi are black and have either white, red or yellow markings. The original is the black and white markings, called the zebra color. The red and white are Hi Utsuri and Shiro Utsuri. Utsuri means to print. The black markings are very similar to ink markings. These types of Koi are genetically the same as Showa but without the white or red pigment.

Bekko is a yellow, white or red skinned Koi that has distinctive black markings. The name translates to “tortoise shell”. The white, red and yellow Koi varieties are Shiro Bekko, Aka Bekko and Ki Bekko. Occasionally they are confused with Utsuri.

Shusui translates to “autumn green”. The Shusui appeared in 1910. It is a cross between the German mirror carp and the Japanese Asagi. These particular Koi types have one line of large scales that extend from its head to its tail.

Adam Boyle is a Koi Fish enthusiast and enjoys helping others taking care of these wonderful fish. For more great information on Koi Types, visit http://www.koifishinformation.org.

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Your Fish Tank Guru review of the article about koi fish. We think Adam Boyle is very knowledgeable about koi and you could learn a lot about Koi fish.

From Your Fish Tank Guru View The Entire Post At: Koi Fish Types – Your Guide To Koi Varieties — Review

Many saltwater aquarium keepers panic at the sight of reef aquarium algae and do everything in their power to eliminate it from their tanks. But that is almost an impossible task because algae is part of the natural ecosystem and without it your tank would fail. The key to success however is to keep it to minimum levels so it does not over take your reef tank display.

How To Control Reef Aquarium Algae Easily

Natural Predators- Everything on the reef has a predator and algae is no exception. By employing snails and crabs to eat it your algae growth should stay contained. There are even some colorful and useful algae eating fish like tangs, blennies and some angel fish that can assist the snails and crabs.

Use Pure Water- Nitrates and phosphates are the prime causes of algae in aquariums. Many times your tap water is already full of these compounds so when you do a water change you are making it worse! To avoid this a good reverse osmosis water treatment unit will supply you with 99% nutrient free water to use in your tank.

Good Tank Maintenance- Doing frequent water changes and keeping critical equipment like protein skimmers clean will go a long way in reducing algae feeding compounds in your reef aquarium.

You can also take a small power head and blow debris off the rock work right before a water change and remove it when you siphon out the water.

Maintain good lighting- Old light bulbs tend to shift to the red part of the color spectrum which will cause reef aquarium algae to grow much faster the normal. To avoid this color shift change your light bulbs every 7-9 months as part of your regular maintenance program.

Have Good Circulation- Having adequate reef tank circulation will not only increase oxygen in the water but will also keep debris like uneaten food and fish waste suspended long enough to be caught and removed by the tank filters or protein skimmers.

Want a beautiful Reef Aquarium?Then check out our reef tank guide will show you step by step how to avoid the common mistakes that lead to fish death, algae and an ugly tank. To get the secrets to creating a stunning reef aquarium visit http://www.dseventures.com

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Your Fish Tank Guru review,  nice article on removing and preventing aquarium algae in a reef or saltwater tank.

From Your Fish Tank Guru View The Entire Post At: How to Eliminate Reef Aquarium Algae – Tips to Get Rid of Algae in Your Reef Tank Review

What many people do not consider is that the type of substrate used has a direct impact on the health of the fish and the balance within the tank. Bottom feeding fish use the substrate for eating and other purposes. The surface material on the bottom of the aquarium also acts as a guide for fish, providing them with an orientation of their environment. Studies have shown that fish placed into a tank with a reflective or shiny bottom surface become stressed and disoriented.

A great benefit of sand in a freshwater tank is that it can be easier to clean the water. The waste material does not fall beneath the surface as it does with gravel and other forms of substrate, making it a simple matter to siphon off. This material is also a great way to maintain plants. By placing a nutritional dirt beneath a layer of sand, live plants are given what they need to thrive and the ability to develop a root system without the complication of contaminating the tank water.

The choice of material is an important consideration when planning the tank environment. The pH, calcium, and other minerals can be changed with the introduction of the incorrect type of material. For instance, aragonite is high in calcium making the water harder and altering the pH level. This is not necessarily a bad situation if you have the appropriate type of fish, such as cichlids.

This surface material can also cause a rapid growth of algae. It is important to understand and prepare for the possibility of an overgrowth by adding an acceptable algae eater to the tank community. There are a number of snails, fish, and shrimp which can add to the viewing pleasure of the aquarium without harming the ecosystem.

Since it is much finer than gravel or pebbles, the filter capability will have to be considered. A filter capable of handing 2 to 3 times the size of your tank is advisable. With the added filtration, the particulates will be kept to a minimum and provide good quality water to the inhabitants.

While it is tempting to scoop from a beach or river, this is inadvisable. These types of substrates can harbor parasites and other substances that will be detrimental to the residents of the aquarium. Instead, commercial, processed playground or other sand that has been sanitized and sterilized is a better choice.

A beautiful tank can be created which is easily maintained and balanced with a number of different substrates. Freshwater aquarium sand is an excellent selection to diversify the tank environment. Plants and water life both benefit with a good substrate.

Next, get more tips for setting up a freshwater aquarium and learn how to maintain and care for your freshwater tropical fish at http://www.fish-tank-guide.com

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Your fish tank guru review, nice article and gets to the basics of aquarium sand.

From Your Fish Tank Guru View The Entire Post At: How To Use Freshwater Aquarium Sand In Your Tank – Review

Typically, setting up your saltwater aquarium involves the following steps

• Deciding on the fish you want to keep – this will help you decide on the size of the fish tank.
• Decide on the aquarium size, location and ensure that light and temperature will be nearly constant at the chosen place.
• Decide on the type of saltwater aquarium setup you are going to have – a) fish only, b) fish only with live rock, or c) reef tanks.as
•  Follow an appropriate guide that dictates each and every step of the aquarium setup.
• Read up on aquarium electrical safety before you proceed. The three types of saltwater aquariums are something that you should know about – as it will greatly influence the type of precautions you have to take, the cost of maintenance, and the frequency of water parameter monitoring that you have to do.

The Fish Only type of aquarium is the least expensive of the three – containing primarily fish but probable a snail or hermit crab to maintain algae levels. However, this type requires more maintenance in terms of water changes and monitoring of the water parameters. The Fish Only with Live Rock type of saltwater aquarium uses ‘live rock’ (a porous rock that has micro flora on its surface) as a natural and biological filtration tool for the aquarium. The micro flora on the live rock greatly catalyses the nitrogen cycling in the aquarium. Lastly, Reef Tanks (also called coral reef aquarium) are saltwater aquariums that mainly focus on corals and anemones and other invertebrates.

In fact, fish are just incidental in these aquariums. You have to know that setting up a saltwater aquarium may even take about eight weeks sometimes. So you have to go through all the steps with diligence and more importantly, patience. Factors such the water pH, temperature, ammonia, nitrogen, hardness, etc. are vital and have to be maintained in a tolerance range for the fish to survive. This involves constant monitoring and being able to take care of parameter levels in the tank immediately.

You should definitely talk to as many people as you can and read as much material as you can before you setup your saltwater aquarium. Jill writes about things to consider when setting up a Saltwater Aquarium. For further information and help check out her website on Fish Aquariums.

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Your Fish Tank Guru review is that Jill Kaestner hit it out of the part and we encourage you to learn more about saltwater aquariums. we are hoping to provide you with more information soon.

From Your Fish Tank Guru View The Entire Post At: Things To Consider When Setting Up A Saltwater Aquarium – Review

Through the process of photosynthesis, plants for freshwater aquariums give off oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, which in turn helps to keep up the waters oxygen supply and quality. With enough plants in an aquarium an air stone and air pump are not needed because the live plants do this naturally. This helps cut down on the unnecessary sound and helps the tank to look a little more “natural” without artificial devices.

Live plants also act as a food source. Many fish will happily munch on live plants, while others eat the dead and decaying matter from the plant. This helps to keep the diets of the fish varied and healthy, because most fish are omnivores. Baby fish may also eat algae and other bacteria off of the surface of the plants.

Plants most notably provide protection for both adult and baby fish. When livebearers birth their young or baby fish hatch from their eggs, the new baby fish most often have to seek out protection to prevent being eaten by predators and sometimes their own parents! Live plants for freshwater aquarium provide natural protection that will ensure one’s baby fish have a better chance to live to adulthood. Even matured adult fish can benefit from live plants tremendously. Many fish have the natural prey instinct and need to be able to hide if they feel threatened. Without adequate plants and structures in the tank for fish to hide behind, they can easily become stressed and fall susceptible to a potentially threatening illness.

In most aquariums without live plants, sponge filters, canister filters, or power filters are used to filter the water and ensure good water quality. These artificial devices filter the water by chemical, biological, and mechanical means. What many people do not know is that live plants can both chemically and biologically filter the tank. All that is required now is mechanical filtration. Live plants for freshwater aquariums can absorb chemicals that are detrimental to fish health and are perfect for the beneficial waste dissolving bacteria to grow upon.

Many a tank owner has been baffled as they watch their tank be overrun by green, fuzzy algae. Algae thrives in tanks where the light source is abundant and there are enough nutrients in the water to consume. By placing live plants in one’s aquarium one can greatly cut back on the amount of algae growing in their tank because live aquarium plants will compete against the algae, and ultimately win, for the nutrients in the water.

The final important point about plants for freshwater aquariums is that they are much more powerfully aesthetically pleasing compared to fake plastic or silk aquarium plant decorations. Live plants make one’s tank appear more like a fish’s natural environment, compared to bright neon colored plants that may detract from the natural beauty of one’s fish.

David Grayson, has been captivated with Freshwater Aquariums for many years and offers for free A Freshwater Aquarium Guide to help you understand and get the most out of a freshwater aquarium. Checkout my website.

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At Your Fish Tank Guru we agree that plants are very good for the whole ecosystem of a Freshwater Aquarium. It also ads a natural beauty to the fish tank that plastic “toys” really can’t do. Thumbs up to David R. Grayson for this nice article about Freshwater Aquariums and Freshwater Plants for the aquarium.

From Your Fish Tank Guru View The Entire Post At: Why Plants For A Freshwater Aquarium Is A Good Idea – Review

Koi are some of the most gorgeous and vibrant fish in the world. Watching these fish in a clear pool can be mesmerizing. They can help relieve stress and impart a sense of peace and serenity to their owners and visitors. There are many varieties of these wonderful fish and they come in many colors. Everyone has a favorite color or pattern that suits them. Koi can be a beautiful addition to your pond.

Historically, the Koi fish is a good luck symbol to the Chinese, but most people use them for the relaxation and serenity that a pond brings to a garden. The truth of the matter is that most people invest in Koi because they are fun to watch. No matter what reason you find to have a Koi pond, they are sure to make your life a little more relaxing and serene.

However, building a pond suitable to raise or keep koi can be an expensive and time consuming project. There are some things that should be kept in mind. One is that Koi start out small but grow to become big fish after a few years. And as adult fish, each one should have at least 500 gallons of water.

A lot of first time owners fail because they don’t consider all the things necessary to keep a healthy koi pond. But, don’t give up yet. Getting the information you need before you buy your first fish will greatly improve your chances of succeeding while you learn how to raise and keep these wonderful creatures.

If you do your homework before you begin obtaining the things you need for keeping Koi will help keep you from making costly mistakes and help you avoid having to replace things later on. Planning ahead will not only save your money, but it will potentially save your sanity as well.

You can learn the information yourself or rely on other sources such as contractors or suppliers. But, people such as your product dealer and pond builder may have limited knowledge. You won’t know if they can be trusted as reliable sources if you don’t know what to ask. Once you get your koi home, your product dealer or pond builder may not be available to answer questions and help you in the event of a problem.

Owning a koi pond or garden pond can be one of the most relaxing experiences you can enjoy. Building one is an experience that has driven many people to distraction. Avoid the pitfalls and frustration by doing your homework and Click Here to learn what you need to know before you embark on your koi pond construction project. Build it and enjoy it for many years.

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Your Fish Tank Guru‘s review of the article. we like the article and agree that if you can build a koi pond you should koi or also known as Japanese carp are wonderful and hearty fish to own and a koi pond could also add value and even peace to your home. Marshall Crum knows a good deal about Koi and Koi ponds

From Your Fish Tank Guru View The Entire Post At: Why Build A Koi Pond?

These are the reef aquariums and fish only aquariums. There are many differences between these two major aquarium setups, although both have always been popular with a wide range of aquarium hobbyists and tropical fish breeders. It is important to acquire the needed aquarium pet supplies whether you are setting up a fish only aquarium or a reef aquarium. Aquarium supplies for fish only tanks Many people favor fish only tanks because these are less expensive than most reef aquariums. With reef tanks, the setup should also cater to the life of corals, anemones, and invertebrates in the aquarium. Most of the elements needed for reef aquariums, such as expensive lighting, are not necessary with most fish only aquariums.

Before setting up your own fish only aquarium, you need to be familiar with the essential supplies first of all. From saltwater mixes to aquarium thermometer, there are a few things you need to secure for your own saltwater fish tank. You will need an aquarium or a fish tank with the right size. Substrate is also needed, such as crushed coral or sand, along with a hydrometer for saltwater and an aquarium thermometer. To keep the water temperature at the right levels, you will need a water heater. Power heads and aquarium filters are also necessary. This type of aquarium is geared principally to keep the fish in perfectly healthy conditions.

The pros and cons of fish only aquariums Fish only aquariums are not too expensive to set up, making them more popular for people who are working on a budget. With such types of tanks, you will only have to look out for the condition and comfort of your fish, nothing else. Unlike reef aquariums, you don’t have to take care of coral life or invertebrate life in your tank. Nonetheless, fish only tanks are not always easy to set up, although they don’t require much spending. You need to check the nitrogen cycle of the tank first, so your fish is assured of a stable and safe environment.

Specific aquarium pet supplies are needed to constantly monitor the tank of its PH levels and nitrate and ammonia levels. Water test kits are essential in maintaining the right water quality in your tank. Aquarium supplies for reef tanks Reef tanks are set up in order to keep the corals, anemones, and invertebrates growing. With a fish only aquarium, you will only need to look after your fish. But with a reef tank, maintaining the corals and anemones in perfectly healthy conditions is of higher priority. Since water parameters need to be constantly monitored to carry this out successfully, maintaining a reef tank can be expensive. In a reef tank setup, you will most likely need a few essential aquarium pet supplies. Lighting supplies are needed, including lights and light timer. Live rock for ideal filtration and live sand are also very important, as well as multiple power heads. Prior to setting up a reef tank, it is crucial that you do your own research, so you will know what to expect from it and which steps and aquarium supplies are necessary in successfully maintaining it.

The pros and cons of reef aquariums Reef aquariums have many advantages. One of the biggest pros in choosing to set up a reef aquarium is that you are able to provide a more natural environment for your fish. With this, your fish will be subject to lesser levels of stress. However, reef aquariums can be difficult to maintain, especially for those who have just begun keeping a saltwater aquarium. You also need to prepare your budget for additional expenses, especially in keeping the water parameters maintained at the right quality. Getting the right aquarium pet supplies is necessary, if you want to keep your reef aquarium in a stable condition. Before choosing a fish only aquarium or a reef aquarium, it is best to research first about its requirements. Also look into your budget and check your personal preference as a hobbyist, so you will know which of these aquariums is most suitable for you. Just be sure that whatever set up you choose, you have time for the care and maintenance it requires.

My opinion of the article is;  It is a nice basic article for understanding about Reef tanks and tanks with marine fish in it.

Todd Nelson is a freelance writer who has been involved in the aquarium hobby for more than 15 years. Nelson began keeping freshwater and brackish tanks in his teens and later transitioned to saltwater aquariums. Most of his aquarium know-how comes from personal experience, although he actively participates in his local aquarium club, online message boards and industry events. He is a hands-on hobbyist who enjoys the husbandry and propagation of aquatic life and testing aquarium supplies.

To learn more about freshwater and saltwater aquariums, visit http://www.MarineDepot.com today. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Todd_J._Nelson Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2929883

This is a nice basic article for understanding about Reef tanks and tanks with marine fish in it.

From Your Fish Tank Guru View The Entire Post At: Reef Vs Fish-Only Aquariums – Review