The name “koi” is an informal name for colored variants of domesticated carp fish kept for ornamental purposes. Typically these fish, which are cold-water, are kept in outdoor “koi ponds,” if it does not get too cold for them. These fish belong to genus Cyprinus, which is in the family Cyprinidae. Historically, koi were produced by artificial selection, primarily from black carp, which inhabit lakes, ponds, and rivers in Japan. Carps are very hardy fish and commonly used as a symbol of luck.
Carp fish comprise a large group of cold-water-fish species originally native to central Europe and Asia. There are about 100 varieties today.
They are bottom feeders and can live for 100 to 200 years [note: fish scales are used to determine the age]. Their fossil record is Miocene to Recent (Wikipedia).
More examples of color variants of koi fish (and also some water lilies) in the same small tank mentioned above.
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