Japan Fish - Types and Characteristics

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 12 February 2021
Update Date: 5 November 2024
Anonim
30 Koi Fish varieties, types and characteristics
Video: 30 Koi Fish varieties, types and characteristics

Content

Animal biodiversity is represented by global or regional species. However, some animals are introduced into spaces different from their native places, changing their natural distribution. An example of this can be seen in fish farming, an activity that dates back thousands of years and that has allowed some of these vertebrates to develop in ecosystems to which they did not originally belong.

It is estimated that this practice began in ancient Greece and Rome, but it was in China and Japan that it developed and grew significantly[1]. Nowadays, fishkeeping is carried out in several countries, something that is known as ornamental fish farming. In this article by PeritoAnimal, we present different types of fish from japan and its characteristics. Keep reading!


General characteristics of fish in Japan

The so-called Japanese fish are animals domesticated for centuries by humans. Initially, this was done for nutritional purposes, but eventually, when it was realized that breeding in captivity gave rise to individuals with different and striking colors, the process was oriented towards ornamental or decorative purposes.

In principle, these fish were exclusive to families belonging to the royal dynasties, which kept them in decorative aquariums or ponds. Subsequently, their creation and captivity were generally expanded to the rest of the population.

Although these animals were also domesticated in China, the Japanese were the ones who made the selective breeding with more detail and precision. Taking advantage of the spontaneous mutations that occurred, they gave rise to different colors and therefore new varieties. Therefore, today they are known as japanese fish.


From a taxonomic point of view, fish from Japan belong to the order Cypriniformes, family Cyprinidae, and to two distinct genera, one is Carassius, in which we find the popularly known as goldfish (Carassius auratus) and the other is Cyprinus, which contains the famous koi fish, which has several varieties and is a product of the crossing of the species. Cyprinus carpio, from which it originated.

Goldfish Characteristics

The goldfish (Carassius auratus), also called Red fish or japanese fish it's a bony fish. Originally, in its natural habitat, it has a subtropical distribution with a depth range between 0 and 20 meters. It is native to China, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Taiwan. However, in the 16th century it was introduced to Japan and from there to Europe and the rest of the world.[2]


Wild individuals usually have varied coloration, which can be brown, olive green, slate, silver, yellowish grey, gold with black spots and creamy white. This diverse coloration is due to the combination of yellow, red and black pigments present in this animal. These fish naturally express a large genetic variability, which, together with consanguinity, favors certain mutations that also gave rise to anatomical modification of the head, body, scales and fins.

The goldfish has about 50cm long, weighing approximately 3kg. O body resembles a triangular shape, the head is devoid of scales, the dorsal and anal fins have saw-shaped spines, while the pelvic fins are short and wide. This fish easily reproduces with other carp species.

The breeders of this animal managed to maintain certain characteristics, which gave rise to several varieties of highly commercialized goldfish. An important aspect is that if this fish is not in ideal conditions, a variation in its color, which may indicate your health status.

Continuing with the types and characteristics of goldfish, let's show you some examples of these fish from Japan:

Types of goldfish

  • Blister or Blister Eyes: it can be red, orange, black or other colors, with short fins and oval body. Its peculiar feature is the presence of two fluid-filled sacs under each eye.
  • lion head: in red, black or red and white combinations. They are oval-shaped, with a kind of crest that surrounds the head. Furthermore, they have a uniform development in the papillae.
  • Heavenly: It has an oval shape and no dorsal fin. Their eyes stand out because, as they grow, the pupils turn upwards. They can be red or combinations between red and white.
  • Two-tails or fantail: its body is oval and has red, white, orange, among others. It is characterized by its medium-length fan-shaped fins.
  • Comet: its color is similar to the common goldfish, the difference is in the tail fin, which is larger.
  • Common: Similar to wild, but with orange, red and red and white combinations, as well as red and yellow.
  • eggfish or maruko: Egg-shaped and short fins, but without the back. Colors range from red, orange, white or red and white.
  • Jikin: Your body is long or slightly short, as are your fins. The tail is positioned 90 degrees from the axis of the body. It is a white fish but with red fins, mouth, eyes and gills.
  • Oranda: also called kinguio-oranda or tancho, due to the peculiarity of its striking red head. They can be white, red, orange, black or a combination of red and white.
  • Telescope: the distinguishing feature is its pronounced eyes. They can be black, red, orange, white and red to white.

Other varieties of goldfish

  • bridal veil
  • Pearly
  • pom pom
  • ranchu
  • Ryukin
  • Shubunkin
  • wake up

Koi Fish Characteristics

The koi fish or koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) are native to various regions of Asia and Europe, although they were later introduced virtually all over the world. It was in Japan that the various crosses were developed in more detail and the striking varieties we know today were obtained.

Koi fish can measure little more than 1 meter and weigh up 40 kg, which makes it impossible to keep them in tanks. However, they usually measure between 30 and 60 cm. The wild specimens are from brown to olive color. The ventral fin of males is larger than that of females, both with large and thick scales.

Koi can develop into various types of aquatic spaces, so much natural as artificial and with slow or fast currents, but these spaces need to be wide. Larvae are very successful in shallow development, in hot waters and with abundant vegetation.

From spontaneous mutations that have been occurring and selective crosses, with time the peculiar varieties that are now highly commercialized for ornamental purposes.

Continuing with the types and characteristics of koi fish, let's show other examples of fish from Japan:

Koi fish varieties

  • asagi: the scales are reticulated, the head combines white and red or orange on the sides, and the back is indigo blue.
  • bekko: The base color of the body is combined between white, red and yellow, with black spots.
  • Gin-Rin: It is covered with pigmented scales that give it a brilliant color. It can be gold or silver over other shades.
  • goshiki: The base is white, with reticulated red and non-reticulated black spots.
  • Hikari-Moyomono: the base is metallic white with the presence of red, yellow or black patterns.
  • Kawarimono: is a combination of black, yellow, red and green, not metallic. It has several variations.
  • Kōhaku: The base color is white, with red spots or patterns.
  • Koromo: White base, with red spots on which there are bluish scales.
  • Ogon: are of a single metallic color, which can be red, orange, yellow, cream or silver.
  • sanke or Taisho-Sanshoku: The base is white, with red and black spots.
  • showa: The base color is black, with red and white spots.
  • Shusui: It only has scales on the upper part of the body. The head is usually pale bluish or white, and the base of the body is white with red patterns.
  • Tanchon: It is solid, white or silver, but has a red circle on the head that does not touch the eyes or close 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 you can see in this PeritoAnimal article, both Golden fish how much the koi fish are species of big japanese fish, which have been domesticated for centuries, having a high degree of commercialization. However, many times, people who acquire these animals are not trained for their care and maintenance, and for this reason they end up sacrificing the animal or releasing it into a body of water. This last aspect is a terrible mistake, especially when it comes to a natural habitat, as these fish can be invasive species that change the ecological dynamics of a space to which they do not belong.

Finally, we can mention that this activity does not benefit these animals at all, as they spend their lives in breeding sites that do not offer the conditions of the natural ecosystems to which they belong. It is important to transcend the idea of ornament through the manipulation of animals, since nature itself already offers us enough elements to admire.

If you want to read more articles similar to Japan Fish - Types and Characteristics, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.