What does it look like?
Koi carp look a lot like goldfish except they grow to larger sizes (in New Zealand up to 10kg and 75cm long) and have two pairs of whisker-like feelers, also called barbels, at the corner of their mouth. They are highly variable in colour, often accompanied with irregular blotching of black, red, gold, orange or pearly white. Koi carp are an Unwanted Organism and a Noxious fish.
Why is it a problem?
When feeding, koi carp suck up and expel material from the bottom like a vacuum, filtering out edible material, which in the process disturbs the bottom sediments of a lake or river.
Because of their fast breeding and large size, this usually results in constant 'muddying' of the water, with no chance for this mud to settle. As a result, the light levels are reduced, which negatively affects the habitat of native plant life and other native fish and invertebrates. This also makes for unpleasant swimming at recreational freshwater swimming spots.
Control methods
Koi carp are not known to exist in Hawke’s Bay. If you think you have seen Koi Carp, please contact us on 0800 108 838.
More information
The scientific name of this species has been updated to Cyprinus rubrofuscus.
Related links
Management Programme
Unwanted Organism
An unwanted organism is any organism that's capable of causing harm to natural or physical resources (like forests and waterways) or human health. A number of introduced pests in New Zealand are classed as unwanted.
More informationRules
Sections 52 and 53 of the Biosecurity Act (1993)
No person shall knowingly communicate, cause to be communicated, release, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread any pest or unwanted organism, in accordance with Sections 52 and 53 of the Biosecurity Act 1993
More informationSection 26ZM of the Conservation Act (1987)
In accordance with the Conservation Act 1987 section 26ZM, no person shall transfer live aquatic life or release live aquatic life into any freshwater. This includes native or introduced fish, plants, and invertebrates. The taking and holding of some organisms requires a special permit from MPI.
More informationTaxonomies
FamilyCyprinidae
TypeAnimals
GroupFish
HabitatFreshwater
Management ProgrammeUnwanted Organism
RulesSections 52 and 53 of the Biosecurity Act (1993)Section 26ZM of the Conservation Act (1987)
