Kois have been bred for centuries in Japan and have been developed into many different types or varieties. Some of the more popular varieties include the Gosanke (Tancho, Kohaku, and Showa), Utsurimono (Shiro Utsuri, Ki Utsuri, Ogon), Asagi/Shusui, Yamabuki Ogon, and Akarui Shusui.
The Asagi is one of the oldest breeds of the beautiful koi. Stoic and subdued, and sometimes even considered an acquired taste, the Asagi has long been overshadowed by its more popular counterparts.
In recent years, however, the Asagi has made a comeback and has regained the popularity it once enjoyed centuries ago. Nowadays they come in many vibrant coloring. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Asagi and provide some general guidelines for keeping this unique koi.
What Is an Asagi Koi?
Asagi is a lovely blue koi variety that may be identified by its hue. The Japanese word for indigo or pale blue, Asagi, refers to this fish. When you get closer to the adult koi fish, you'll notice it's a fully-scaled with an amazing netting pattern on its neatly arranged scales.
The scales are exquisite works of art. They are non-metallic and have a pale blue to dark blue color, with a defined diamond form that extends all the way up to the koi's head on the back.
The Asagi koi fish colors are what sets it apart from other koi. The Asagi's head will be white or very pale blue, with red coloration on the cheeks that extend down the belly to the tail. The red pigment should not spread beyond the fish's lateral line where it meets the net-like patterns of scales.
The pectoral fins will also be crimson in color. The underside of the Asagi may be white, and its tail might be clear or crimson. The eyes of the Asagi will have a red tint around them for some really artistic flair.
Origin
If you traveled back in time instead of forward, each breed of koi would vanish until you reach the Asagi, which is the forefather of today's koi breeds. The practice of keeping these fish was originally only Magoi, the wild black carp; a food fish.
The origin of koi Magoi may stretch back 20,000 years or more. The Japanese called them "Magoi," and they were the same black carp that were cultivated as a food fish and traded across East Asia for many centuries before koi were conceived.
The Chinese invaded Japan around 200 BC, and black carp were introduced into the country. The Asagi or Asagi Magoi Koi would not appear until about 160 years ago when the Japanese intentionally bred certain "defects" in coloration into these fish to create them; making Asagi the first recognized ornamental carp.
Asagi Koi Meaning
“Asagi” has several meanings, according to different sources. Some say it is a derivative of the Japanese term for "indigo" or "light blue," while others claim it comes from words meaning "setting sun" or "mist."
Size
Asagi Koi can get pretty large, sometimes reaching lengths up to three feet. However, the average size is usually around two feet. The size of an Asagi Koi will mostly depend on their genetics, as well as their food and environment.
Life Expectancy
Asagi Koi have a lifespan of about 20-30 years, although some have been known to live much longer. This will depend on the quality of care they receive and their overall health.
Temperament
Asagi Koi are generally peaceful, calm fish that get along well with other koi and pond inhabitants. An Asagi Koi may be shy at certain times and may not be as apparent as other koi in a lively pond. They like to hide among the plants and emerge when everything has quieted down.
Although they are not deemed to be highly aggressive, they may grow more so when the breeding time approaches. It's also crucial to give them enough food so that they don't turn nasty towards their tank mates when there isn't much to eat.
Characteristics of a Good Asagi Koi
Selecting a Good quality Asagi koi can be tricky as they are not bred in great numbers and can be difficult to find. However, there are some general characteristics you can look for when choosing an Asagi. So, what makes a good Asagi koi? The following are some guidelines for choosing a good Asagi from a fish farm:
The most striking Asagi is the Pale Blue or Blue-Gray variant, which has light blue or white reticulation and a white head, fins, and tail with red or red-orange markings (known as Hi). The abdomen of all Asagi should have lighter reticulation. These characteristics will help you select the perfect fish for the koi competition Asagi Title.
Asagi Varieties & How to Identify Them
The reticulated patterning on Asagi koi distinguishes them from other koi varieties. It resembles a lighter-colored net lying overtop the scales, and it's present in all Asagi koi. Despite the fact that the color of Asagi fish varies depending on the kind, their distinctive design is created by having colored scales that are outlined in white.
The body is divided into a series of vertical bands, starting at the base of the head and working toward the tail. The outer edge of this pattern is white or light blue with red/orange markings (known as Hi) along with their bodies. The color of their back pattern is usually similar to that of their body. Many have a Hi on their stomach. All Asagi should have more minimal reticulation. This isn't an exhaustive list; it's just a sample of the more popular or sought-after strains.
- Konjo Asagi Koi- Konjo Asagi is one of two primary Asagi varieties. These beautiful varieties have dark blue or nearly black scales on their back that lighten to a steel blue coloration on their sides. Among all Asagi koi tattoos, the Konjo Asagi koi tattoo designs are the most popular.
Narumi Asagi Koi- The second major variety of the Narumi line, with light to medium-blue scales. The remaining Asagi subvarieties are derived from and related to Konjo and Narumi.
Hi Asagi Koi-The Hi are a subset of Asagi that have more red or orange than usual. The Hi extends upward from the abdomen past the lateral line and is external to the head, fins, and tail. Some Hi Asagi may be entirely crimson in color.
Gin Rin Asagi Koi- the Gin Rin Asagi is a silver-metallic-scaled Asagi. Their scales are typical of the Konjo coloring, with silver-white reticulation. Any of the other listed Asagis maybe Gin Rin.
Akebi Asagi Koi- Akebi Asagi is a light blue-colored variety of Asagi, sometimes known as Mizu Asaki or Mizu Akebi. The color of Akebi Asagi's scales is usually white or off-white.
Taki Asagi Koi- Taki Asagi usually has a black back and redbelly, with a horizontal line of white running down the center of their dark back and generally red abdomen.
Asagi Sanke Koi- Much like Sanke koi, Asagi Sanke will have a mix of Hi, Shiro (white), and Sumi (black) hues. The Hi and Sumi patterns should be visible over white or light blue/light grey scales. Even though you have bred your Asagi Sanke, there will still be reticulation. Asagi Sanke can come in virtually any variety found in normal Sanke koi, including Tancho, Yondan, and Maruten. However, Asagi Sanke most often has a light blue back, a white lower abdomen, and Hi on the head and upper abdomen.
Habitat Set-Up
Setting up a proper habitat is critical to the health and happiness of your Asagi koi. In their natural environment, Asagi koi inhabit slow-moving streams with gravel or sandy bottoms in Japan. To replicate this as closely as possible in your own backyard pond, you'll need to take into account a few key elements.
Asagi koi are a cool water fish, which means they prefer water temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Water hardness should be between 6 and 8 dGH. In the wild, they live in rivers and streams with plenty of vegetation, rocks, and logs to hide in.
You can recreate this environment in your home pond by adding water plants, rocks, and driftwood. Asagi koi are bottom-feeders, so they will appreciate a layer of gravel on the bottom of the pond.
Asagi koi are not particularly active fish, so they don't need a lot of space to swim. A pond that's at least 3 feet deep and can hold 100 gallons of water is sufficient for a small group of Asagi koi. If you plan to keep a larger number of Asagi koi, you'll need a pond that's at least 4 feet deep and can hold 200 gallons of water.
Asagi koi are peaceful fish, so they can be kept with other types of koi and goldfish. However, they should not be kept with aggressive fish that might bully or harass them. Decorating your pond with plants, rocks, and driftwood will provide hiding places for your Asagi koi to retreat to if they feel threatened.
You can also add some aquatic plants such as Water Lilies for adding some beauty. Because they are bottom-feeders, you'll want to make sure there is plenty of gravel or sand for them to sift through in search of food.
Diet
Asagi Koi are not picky eaters, so they will usually eat anything you give them. It is important to provide them with a varied diet so that they get all the nutrients they need for proper growth. Make sure to provide them with a varied diet so that they get all the nutrients they need. So, what to feed Asagi koi?
A good diet for Asagi Koi will include:
- Live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. They are rich in protein and essential nutrients that help the fish grow.
Plants such as algae, spirulina, and duckweed. Asagi Koi love to nibble on plants, so it's a good idea to add some to their diet. Plants are also a great source of fiber, which is essential for their health.
Pellets and flakes. These are a great way to add variety to their diet and provide them with all the nutrients they need. You can buy them from any pet shops or online food source sites.
Frozen foods such as krill, Mysis shrimp, and tubifex worms contain essential vitamins and minerals that are good for the fish.
Vegetables such as zucchini, cabbage, and spinach are rich in vitamins and minerals. They also contain fiber, which is good for the fish's digestive system.
Fruits such as oranges and bananas are a good source of vitamins C and A.
What Not to Feed Them
There are a few things you should not give your Asagi Koi, as they might harm their health. Anything high in carbohydrates should not be fed to koi fish. White bread, peas, and corn should also be avoided when feeding them.
Carbohydrates pose a problem for koi fish digestion. Nothing from the outdoors should be given to them either. This includes insects, plants, and rocks from outside the pond. These can contain harmful bacteria that can make your koi fish sick.
Tips to Feed Them
When feeding Asagi Koi, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Breeding Asagi Koi Fish
Breeding Asagi Koi can be a rewarding experience, but it's also a lot of work as they are the results of selective breeding. Make sure you are prepared before you decide to breed them.
Asagi Koi are ready to breed when they are about 2 years old and are at least 18 inches long. The best time to breed them is in the spring when the water temperature starts to warm up. Here are a few things to keep in mind when breeding Asagi Koi:
Selecting the Breeding Pair
Selecting the pair for breeding is a very important step as it will directly impact the quality of the offspring. There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a breeding pair:
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Conditioning
Conditioning is the process of getting the fish ready for breeding. This involves changing their diet and increasing their exercise. For Asagi Koi, conditioning usually takes place in the spring. The water temperature should be between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Breeding Tank Setup
Setting up a breeding tank is the most important part of the breeding process. The following is a list of things you'll need:
Breeding
After all the preparations have been made, it's finally time to breed the Asagi Koi. The spawning process starts with the male chasing the female around the pond. He will then nudge her abdomen with his nose, causing her to release her eggs. The eggs will fall to the bottom of the pond and stick to the spawning mat or grate.
After the eggs have been laid, the parents should be removed from the breeding pond. The eggs will hatch in about 7 to 10 days. The fry will stay close to the bottom of the pond and hide among the plants.
Asagi Koi Fry Care
Asagi Koi fry is very delicate and needs to be cared for properly. The following is a list of things you'll need to do to care for them:
- The fry should be kept in a separate tank from the adults. The tank should be cleaned often.
The water temperature in the fry tank should be between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH should be between 7.0 and 8.5, and the water should have a hardness of 10 to 20 dGH.
You don't have to feed the baby Asagi koi for the first few days as they will feed off their yolk sacs. After that, you can start feeding them live foods or pellets. Feed them several times a day in small amounts.
As the fry grows, they will need to be moved to larger tanks. Be sure to acclimate them slowly to the new water conditions.
Diseases And Preventions
Koi are typically very hardy, robust fish and don’t often once become sick once they have settled into the pond. Occasionally koi disease occurs in ponds as fish fall prey to parasitic, bacterial, or fungal attacks.
The causes of fish diseases are varied and can range from a sudden drop in water temperature to predator attacks, and spawning to name a few. No matter what the cause of the disease, one thing remains constant – the sooner you recognize and begin to treat the problem.
Here are some common koi diseases:
Parasitic Diseases
Koi parasites are small organisms that live off their host, causing skin irritation, restlessness, and loss of appetite. Some common koi parasites are:
Bacterial Diseases
Bacterial diseases are the most common type of koi disease. They are caused by infection through open wounds, ulcers, or injuries. Some common bacterial diseases are:
Fungal Diseases
Fungal diseases are caused by fungi that live in the water. They can enter the koi through open wounds or ulcers. Some common fungal diseases are:
Prevention Is Key
The best way to prevent koi disease is to practice good pond management. This can be done by following the guidelines below:
Treating Koi Diseases
If you think your koi are sick, the first step is to isolate them from the rest of the fish in the pond. This will help prevent the spread of disease. Next, you will need to identify the type of disease and treat it accordingly.
What other foods should I avoid feeding my betta fish?
In some cases, koi diseases can be fatal. However, with early detection and proper treatment, most koi can make a full recovery.
FAQ
What Is a Blue Shusui Koi?
Shusui Asagi Koi is the first Doitsu koi variety, and it's one of the few bluish ones. They're a Doitsugio (scale-less) replica of Asagi. The Asagi Shusui Koi varieties were created by Yoshigoro Akiyama in the early 1900s by crossing the Doitsugio, a German scale fish, and Asagi.
What Is a Butterfly Asagi Koi?
Asagi Butterfly Koi is a very beautiful type of koi fish characterized by a blue or indigo body with red color at the base of the pectoral fins. They will have long flowing fins and a long body. The Asagi Butterfly Koi is an elegant fish that is sure to stand out in any pond.
What to Look for in a Young Asagi Koi?
The size of the Koi's scales will determine how it looks as it matures. As the Koi ages, its skin stretches and the pinecone pattern becomes more evident. Those Koi with mostly white body scales with tiny blue dots in the middle will develop a deeply contrasted net pattern at maturity. When the scales of young koi are deep blue, they will appear more uniform and deeper in color. Both are gorgeous. It should be noted that when it comes to smaller Koi (10 inches or less), there will be a darker line in the middle of the head. This should not be seen as a flaw; rather, it'll clear up as the Koi gets older.
Do Asagi Koi Get Along With Other Fish?
While Asagi is peaceful fish, they are also known to be shy. They do best when kept with other peaceful fish in a well-planted aquarium that offers plenty of hiding places. Avoid keeping them with larger, more aggressive fish.
What Is the Rarest Koi Color?
The Black Night is the rarest color combination for every breed. The menu provides access to the Koi Log, which records all koi owned at any moment in time, their age in days, and their rarity ranking, from 1 to 10. A Black Night koi of any age will always have a rarity rank of 10.
How Big Do Shusui Koi Grow?
The Shusui Koi Fish can grow to a size of 6 to 18 inches in length and they can live for a minimum of 20 years if taken good care of.
My Asagi Koi Looks Grey and Not White Why?
The common Asagi is pale blue or grey on its body, with faint blue or white reticulation and a white head, fins, and tail with red or crimson-orange markings (known as Hi). So, don't be concerned watching your Asagi koi grey. Most likely, the darker variant of the typical Asagi coloration.
Why Is My Koi Losing Its Colour?
One of the most common reasons that can impact coloration is poor water quality. This can be easily remedied by switching to higher-quality koi food or changing to diets with color enhancers. Another reason for color loss could be due to stress. Koi are very sensitive to their environment and any changes, such as a new pond or fish, can cause them stress. This can also be remedied by acclimating them slowly to the new change.
Conclusions
Asagi koi is a beautiful and popular variety of koi fish that comes in many vibrant colors. These Japanese koi can be a great addition to any koi pond or garden. They are characterized by their blue or indigo body coloration and red markings at the base of the pectoral fins.
The balance of color is very important in identifying Asagi as a pure breed. They are considered very peaceful fish, however, they can be sometimes shy, so it's important to provide them with plenty of hiding places in their aquarium. They do best when kept with other peaceful fish.
Even though they are considered a hardy breed just like any other common carp with good immune systems, they are still susceptible to stress and disease. It's important to provide them with high-quality food such as pellets or flakes and to acclimate them slowly to any new changes in their environment.
A water temperature of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. In this article, we have provided general guidelines for Asagi koi care. Following these guidelines will help ensure that your Asagi koi remain healthy and thrive.
They are the direct descendants of the Wild Carp and can be bought from any koi farm or online breeder. However, make sure to buy from a reputable breeder and not from any non-reputable sources. Do not be ignorant about the price range as Asagi koi can be expensive. So, what are you waiting for? Go out and get your own Asagi koi today!
