Koi History ~ Myths & Mysteries

by
Ray Jordan ©2006

Origin/Distribution of Cyprinus carpio

It is believed that the common river carp originated in the Caspian & Black sea area. Carp were traded and carried father and farther from their original location because of their ability to survive in many different types of climates and waterways.



Common river carp have been raised for food for thousands of years.

Carp sometimes have natural mutations of colors including spots or bellies that are red, brown, grey, light blue/grey, light yellow, and tortoiseshell. Carp farmers all over the world would have seen these same mutations but only in the Niigata area of Japan were carp developed and refined successfully by selective breeding to eventually become what we know today as living jewels (koi).





previous || next

[an error occurred while processing this directive]


all rights reserved to the author