The koi carp is very colourful and bred from the common carp which is not nearly as colourful. The breeding of carp began more than 1,000 years ago and it is still very popular in Japan. Here, they have exhibitions each year where grand prizes are awarded to the best
looking specimens.
Some koi carps are so rare and beautiful that collectors will pay millions for them. The Odense ZOO carps are not worth much money as they have not been bred with the aim of achieving special colours.
A bred koi carp has a length of 70-80 cm, while the wild carp can become as long as 120 cm.