Koi fish do indeed produce offspring, but they are oviparous fish and do not give birth to live young directly. Here is a detailed explanation of the reproduction of Koi fish:
Reproduction Method
Koi fish reproduce by spawning. Female Koi fish will lay a large number of fish eggs in a suitable environment, and then male Koi fish will release sperm to fertilize the eggs. A female Koi fish can lay thousands to tens of thousands of eggs at one time.
Reproduction Conditions
Age: Male Koi fish need to be at least over 2 years old to reproduce, while female Koi fish need to be over 3 years old.
Water Quality: The water quality needs to be excellent, without any peculiar smell or impurities.
Water Temperature: The optimal water temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius.
Lighting: Appropriate lighting helps to stimulate the reproductive behavior of Koi fish.
Environment: Koi fish tend to lay eggs in an environment rich in aquatic plants. Therefore, it is very important to provide enough aquatic plants or other plants suitable for reproduction.
Reproduction Season
The breeding season of Koi fish is usually in the warm spring and summer. The most suitable water temperature for reproduction is between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius.
Reproduction in a Domestic Environment
In a home breeding environment, the reproduction success rate of Koi fish may be relatively low, because specific conditions need to be met, such as sufficient water space, suitable water temperature, and good water quality.
Special Situations
In some cases, such as being stimulated by external factors (such as being caught by fishing or a sudden change in water temperature), Koi fish may activate an emergency ovulation mechanism, causing the fish eggs to be expelled prematurely. This phenomenon is called "abortion" or a "stress response".
In conclusion, Koi fish reproduce their offspring by spawning, but specific conditions regarding age, water quality, water temperature, and environment need to be met. In home breeding, artificial intervention and environmental optimization can increase the reproduction success rate of Koi fish.