Because the Asagi resembles the Magoi, some beginners do not feel it is a Nishikigoi. There are three types of Magoi--"Tetsu (Iron) Magoi", "Doro (Mud) Magoi," and "Asagi Magoi." The last one is said to be the ancestor of the present Asagi. Asagi Magoi have a blue back with a light blue or white reticular pattern crossing it. Some scales have a blurred appearance. Hi appears on both cheeks, sides, and pectoral fins. There are two basic types, the Konjo Asagi and the Narumi Asagi. The black colour of the former is dark blue, similar to that of the Magoi. Narumi Asagi have scales with a dark blue center, shading into light blue towards the edges. Konjo Asagi as well as Tetsu Magoi are used to produce blackish Nishikigoi such as the Aka Matsuba, the Ki Matsuba, and the Ki-goi. Narumi Asagi on the other hand, are used to produce whitish Nishikigoi such as Kohaku, the Taisho Sanshoku, the Shiro Bekko, the Goshiki, the Ai Goromo, the Budo Sanshoku, and the Shusui.
Types include the Konjo and Narumi, plus the Asagi Sanshoku, also there are the Akedi or Mizu, and the Taki Asagi. As for the pattern, a spotless white or light blue head is desirable. Spots on the head quickly downgrade the koi's quality. Each blue scale on the back should be clearly seen. The contrasting white or light blue reticular pattern should be sharp and distinct. It is also a fundamental requirement that Hi appears on the cheeks, abdominal region, and fin joints. The colour of the Hi should be bright red. Red pectoral fins are called "Shusuibire"." Blue and red should be clearly divided. Brownish Hi degrades the koi. When the koi get older, their Hi tends to spread above the lateral line, which is usually undesirable. Black spots along the border of the Hi are disliked. The abdomen should be milky white. The "Akebi Asagi," sometimes called "Mizu Asagi," are light blue koi. "Taki Asagi," have a white band between the blue back and the red abdomen, "Asagi Sanshoku" have the characteristic Asagi blue back, but also have Hi markings on the head and sides and a milky white abdomen.
In order to make your Koi pond a suitable habitat to your fishes, make sure that the tap water used is mature, otherwise your fish will die. The maturity of the water can be measured through length of time. However, you can resort to pond care kits available to address fish problems and to prevent the death of your Koi fish.
Filtering and Pumping of Koi Pond
Filtration and pumping of water in your Koi pond or garden pond is essential. Koi fishes are classified as omnivorous fishes that require eight times a day of feeding especially in warmer days. As Koi fishes eat more, they also produce more solid wastes in the water which contain ammonia. Too much exposure to ammonia or intake of such substance can be detrimental to Koi fishes. This is why top quality of water should always be maintained. Therefore, as a Koi fish pond owner, you have to invest on buying filtration equipment to lower the mortality rate of your Koi fish.
How to Choose the Right Filter?
Your Koi fish pond filter should be capable of removing solid waste materials. If solid materials stay longer in the water it may cause the water to become turbid or cloudy. It may also clog the filtration equipment if the equipment used is not good enough to handle solid wastes
And to determine whether a filtration system is good enough there should be a correct pump flow in the Koi pond. There are effective mechanical filters available in the market that can do the job and these are the big filters. However, the size is important because too big filter or too small filter will not make any difference in the running the filtration system.
Your Koi fish pond or garden pond is the exact definition of an artificial environment for your Koi fishes. However, it is your duty to provide your Koi fishes a seemingly natural habitat for them to live healthy and happy. To make this happen, proper water filtration and pumping system should be installed in your pond.
Another important thing to consider when it comes to beautifying your pond is the addition of waterfalls. Surely, the presence of waterfalls will make all the difference in the overall appearance of your Koi fish pond. It will not only make it more attractive but it will consistently enhance the entire appeal of your pond. When it comes to benefits, waterfalls give bio-filtration benefit needed in nitrifying bacteria embedded or present in the stones. With this being said, there is an attempt to maintain a balance in the eco system found in your Koi fish pond and this is exactly an ignorable good benefit to your Koi fishes as well.
So, as a Koi fish pond owner, make sure that the mentioned recommendations are well-accounted for since these will surely bring benefits to the entire your Koi pond and the fishes living in it.
