Animal biodiversity is represented by global or regional species. However, some animals are introduced into spaces other than where they are native, modifying their natural distribution range. We have an example in fish farming, an activity that dates back thousands of years, which has allowed some of these vertebrates to develop in ecosystems to which they originally did not belong.
It is estimated that this practice began both in ancient Greece and Rome, but it was in China and Japan where it was developed and promoted significantly [1]Nowadays, aquarium hobby is carried out in many countries, and this is known as ornamental fish farming. In this article on our site we introduce you to different types of Japanese fish and their characteristics Keep reading!
General Characteristics of Japanese Fish
So-called Japanese fish are animals that have been domesticated for centuries by humans. Initially it was done for food purposes, but later, seeing that reproduction in captivity originated individuals with different and striking colors, it was oriented towards ornamental or decorative purposes
In principle, these fish were exclusively for families belonging to royal dynasties, who kept them in decorative aquariums or ponds. Later, their breeding and captivity spread in a general way to the rest of the population.
Although these animals were also domesticated in China, it is the Japanese who made the selective breeding with greater detail and precision. Taking advantage of the spontaneous mutations that occurred, they gave rise to different colors and therefore new varieties. Hence today they are known as Japanese fish.
From a taxonomic point of view, these fish belong to the Cypriniformes order, Cyprinidae family, and to two different genera, one is Carassius, where we find the commonly known goldfish (Carassius auratus) and the other is Cyprinus, in which the famous koi fish is located, which has several varieties, product of the crossing of the Cyprinus carpio species, where it comes from.
Goldfish Characteristics
Goldfish (Carassius auratus), also called goldfish or goldfishis a bony fish. Originally, in its natural habitat, it has a subtropical distribution with a depth range between 0 to 20 meters. It is native to China, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Taiwan. However, in the 16th century it was introduced in Japan, from there to Europe and the rest of the world. [two]
Wild individuals generally have a varied coloration, which can be brown, olive green, slate, silver, grayish yellowish, gold with black spots and creamy whiteThis diverse coloration is due to the combination of yellow, red and black pigments present in this animal. These fish naturally express great genetic variability, which, together with inbreeding, favors certain mutations that have also given rise to the anatomical modification of the head, body, scales and fins.
Goldfish measure about 50 cm, weighing 3 kgabout. The body resembles a triangular shape, the head is devoid of scales, the dorsal and anal fins have serrated spines, while the pelvic fins are short and wide. Breeds easily with other carp species.
The farmers of this animal managed to maintain certain characteristics, which has given rise to the various varieties of goldfish that are highly commercialized. An important aspect is that if this fish is not in optimal conditions, a color variation is caused, which can indicate its he alth.
Continuing with the types and characteristics of goldfish, we show you some examples:
Types of goldfish
- Bubble or bubble eyes: red, orange, black or other colors, with short fins and oval body. The peculiar feature is the presence of two fluid-filled sacs under each eye.
- Lion's Head: red, black or combinations of red and white. They are oval, with a kind of crest that surrounds the head. In addition, they have a uniform development in the papillae.
- Celestial: it is oval and without dorsal fin, the eyes protrude, as it grows the pupils turn upwards. They can be red or red and white combinations.
- Fan tail or fantail: its body is oval, it has red, white, and orange colors, among others. It is characterized by its medium-length fan-shaped fins.
- Cometa: the color is similar to the common one but the size of the caudal fin varies, which is larger.
- Common: form similar to the wild one, but with orange, red and combinations of red with white, as well as red with yellow.
- Eggfish or maruco: egg-shaped, short fins but without dorsal. Colored red, orange, white or red and white.
- Jikin: Its body is long or slightly short, as are its fins. The tail is positioned at 90 degrees to the axis of the body. It is a white fish but with red fins, mouth, eyes and gills.
- Oranda: also called red beret or tancho, due to the peculiarity of its pronounced red head. They can be white, red, orange, black, or a combination of red and white.
- Telescope: the distinctive feature is its pronounced eyes, they can be black, red, orange, white, and red with white.
Other varieties of goldfish
- Veil Tail
- Pearl
- Pom pom
- Ranchu
- Ryukin
- Shubunkin
- Wakin
Koi Fish Characteristics
Koi fish or carp (Cyprinus carpio) are native to various areas of Asia and Europe, although they were later introduced practically all over the world. It was in Japan that the various crosses were developed in more detail and the striking varieties known today were obtained.
Koi fish can be a little over 1 meter and weigh up to 40 kg, which makes it impossible to keep them in fish tanks. However, it is generally between 30 and 60 cm Wild specimens have a coloration between brown and oliveThe ventral fin of males is larger than that of females, both with large, thick scales
Koi fish can develop in various types of aquatic spaces, both natural and artificialand slow or fast currents, but they need to be wide. Larvae have great developmental success at shallow depths, in warm waters and with abundant vegetation
From spontaneous mutations that occurred and selective crosses, peculiar varieties were obtained over time that are highly marketed today for decorative purposes.
Continuing with the types and characteristics of Koi fish, we show you some examples:
Koi Fish Varieties
- Asagi: the scales are reticulated, the head is combined with white and red or orange on the sides of it and the back is indigo blue.
- Bekko: The base color of the body is a combination of white, red and yellow, with black spots.
- Gin-Rin: it is covered by pigmented scales that give it a bright color. It can be gold or silver on other shades.
- Goshiki: the base is white, with red reticulated spots and black without reticulated.
- Hikari-Moyomono: the base is metallic white with red, yellow or black patterns.
- Kawarimono: is a combination of black, yellow, red and green, not metallic. It has several variations.
- Kōhaku: Background color is white, with red spots or patterns.
- Koromo: white base, with red spots on which there are bluish scales.
- Ogon: they are of a single metallic color, which can be red, orange, yellow, cream or silver.
- Sanke or Taisho-Sanshoku: the base is from white, with red and black spots.
- Showa: The base color is black, with red and white spots.
- Shusui: He only has scales on his upper body. The head is usually light bluish or white and the base of the body is white with red patterns.
- Tancho: it is solid, white or silver but it has a red circle on the head that does not touch the eyes or the nearby scales.
Other types of koi fish
- Ai-Goromo
- Aka-Bekko
- Aka-Matsuba
- Bekko
- Chagoi
- Doitsu-Kōhaku
- Gin-Matsuba
- Ginrin-Kōhaku
- Goromo
- Hariwake
- Heisei-Nishiki
- Hikari-Utsurimono
- Hi-Utsuri
- Kigoi
- Kikokuryu
- Kin-Guinrin
- Kin-Kikokuryu
- Kin-Showa
- Ki-Utsuri
- Kujaku
- Kujyaku
- Kumonryu
- Midori-Goi
- Ochibashigure
- Orenji Ogon
- Platinum
- Shiro Utsuri
- Shiro-Utsuri
- Utsurimono
- Yamato-Nishiki
As we have been able to read in this article on our site, both the goldfish, and the koi fish, are species of large Japanese fish, which have been domesticated for centuries, having ahigh degree of commercialization However, many times, those who acquire these animals are not trained in their care and maintenance, so they end up sacrificing the animal or releasing it into a body of water. This last aspect is a terrible mistake, especially if it is a natural habitat, since these fish can be invasive species that alter the ecological dynamics of a space to which they do not belong.
Finally, we can mention that this activity does not really benefit these animals, since they spend their lives in farms that do not offer the conditions of the natural ecosystems to which they belong. It is important to transcend the idea of ornamento through the manipulation of animals, since nature itself already offers us enough elements to admire.
