From an anatomical point of view, the domestic koi is a carp with a few
modifications brought about by modern day breeders. Of course, with all
the changes and modifications to the Koi of today, general anatomy is
obviously the same but shape and proportion will depend on variety.
Understanding the anatomy of a Koi may assist you in the general health
and treatment of your fish. Below is a diagram of the Koi's anatomy with
descriptions of the koi Anatomy and Physiology.
| 1 |
Eyes |
The eyes are just forward
of the gills. Koi can see in two directions at same time - to either
side of the body as well as above or below on each side. |
| 2 |
Nostrils |
The nostrils are just
forward and slightly above the eyes. The nostrils are used purely
for scent. |
| 3 |
Barbells |
The barbells located are
located on the upper lip of the koi and contain many sense receptors
to help locate food. |
| 4 |
Gills |
Gills have a similar
function to the lungs. The gills are served by a series of fine
blood vessels. As the water passes over the gills, oxygen is
absorbed through the blood vessels and then transported directly to
the body. Carbon Dioxide is return to the water via the gills. |
| 5 |
Fin (Pectoral) |
The pectoral fins are
paired and located on the lower sides of the koi. They can be used
to rotate the koi almost on the same axis, this is done by one fin
working in the other direction to the other. The also act as the
main braking fins, they achieved this by placing the fins out to
provide a large surface area to the water. They also use them when
looking for food to stir up the bottom. |
| 6 |
Liver |
The liver helps remove
waste from the blood and controls the use of digested food. It also
produces bile which is used in the digestion / absorption of fat.
|
| 7 |
Gall Bladder |
Located just below the
liver, the Gall Bladder stores bile and releases it to help with
digestion. |
| 8 |
Fin (Pelvic) |
The pelvic or ventral
fins are paired and located on the lower sides of the koi approx mid
body. The pelvic fins enable the koi to rise or descend as it swims,
you could say they act as hydrofoils. |
| 9 |
Spleen |
The spleen produces lymph
cells (a yellow fluid consisting mostly of blood plasma and white
blood cells) and stores red blood cells. |
| 10 |
Intestines |
See Digestive System for
further details. |
| 11 |
Reproductive organs |
The internal sex organs
of the male are the testes and the ovaries of the female. In both
the male and female they are located below the swim bladder. Eggs
and sperm exit the body via the gonophores which is located just in
front of the urinary opening. The gonophores are connect by the
gonoduct. |
| 12 |
Anal Pore |
The anal pore is located
just forward of the anal fin. The waste products of the koi's
digestive system are expelled via the anal pore. Water in the form
of urine is also expelled via the anal pore. |
| 13 |
Urinary Bladder |
The urinary bladder
plays an important part for the koi. As the salt content of the koi
is higher then that of the water in which it lives the koi's body is
continually taking in water which tries to equalize the salt
concentration, this is known as osmosis. As a result of this process
the koi must release the excess water, otherwise it would blow up
like a balloon. |
| 14 |
Anal Fin |
The anal fin located just
forward of the tail and is primary for stabilization. |
| 15 |
Caudal or Tail |
The caudal (tail) acts as
the koi's rudder and can be used to gain maximum speed / thrust.
|
| 16 |
Kidney |
|
| 17 |
Swim Bladder |
The swim bladder, located
just below the backbone consists of 2 different size chambers. Fish
adjust their position by inflating or deflating these chambers, this
changes the density relative to the surrounding water. In
conjunction with the auditory system it controls the fishes
orientation, level at which they swim etc. |
| 18 |
Dorsal Fin |
The dorsal fin located on
the top of the koi is the major stabilizing fin. It works in a
similar fashion to a keel on a ship by keeping the koi upright. Koi
can lower the dorsal fin to create a more streamlined effect when
the koi needs to move at faster speeds. |
| 19 |
Stomach |
See Digestive System for
further details. |
| 20 |
Lateral Line |
The lateral line runs
roughly along the mid-body of the koi. The lateral line is a row of
special pores that open into a channel which runs to the head and
brain of the koi. The channel is filled with a viscous solution
which is extremly sensitive to vibrations in the water. |
| 21 |
Scales |
|
| 22 |
Ears |
Fish have internal ears
that respond to vibrations within the water. The auditory canal is
connected to swim bladder and is used for balance. |
| 23 |
Mouth |
The mouth of Koi are
located in an inferior position - not quite at the tip of the head
but slightly below. This indicates that it has bottom feeding
habits. |
| 24 |
Color |
The color variations in
koi is determined by the amount of (reflective tissue) in the skin
below the scales (dermis). The reflective tissue contain waste
by-products of the bodies metabolism. The out layer (epidermis)
cells contain color pigments, these are Erythrophores (contain red
or orange pigment granules), Melanophores (contain the black pigment
melanin), Xyanthophores (contain yellow pigment granules). Their
placement in the skin will determine the color of a koi. The more
complete the layer, the more metallic the appearance of the koi as
and if this layer is partially or completely missing more color are
visible deeper. |
| 25 |
Mucus Layer |
The mucus layer covers
the entire external area of the koi. The mucus layer provides
protection for bacteria and fungus and gives the koi there slippery
feel. It is therefore important that you hands are wet before
handing koi, to ensure that the mucus layer is not damaged. |
| 26 |
Digestive System |
The digestive system of
koi is more or less like that of any higher animals but differs from
many as the koi doesn't have a stomach as such. Food enters via the
mouth and is crudely crushed by the pharyngeal teeth (bony
projections from the gill supports). From there it passed into
esophagus and then into the intestines. The anterior part of the in
intestines are swollen and look a lot like a stomach. The intestines
long and coiled, usually 4-5 times the length of the koi. The is due
to the fact the the vegetable matter eaten by the koi require more
time within the body to be broken down so that the goodness is
released. The intestines exit the body at the anal pore. |
| 27 |
Nervous System |
The nervous system of a
koi consists of optic and other sensory nerves that radiate from the
head. Fine fibers at the nerve endings transmit and receive message
to the koi's brain, which is relatively simple. The koi's spinal
cord helps protect the central nervous system which extends to all
parts of the body. |