Sustainable Koi carp Options Cyprinus carpio Pest Animal Control 25 Description Colour: Koi carp are highly varied in colour, with irregular blotching of orange, red, black, gold or pearly white. Size: Koi grow to a length of 750 mm and can weigh up to 10 kg. Head: There are two pairs of barbels (feelers) at the base of the Koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) mouth. Why are koi carp a How do I get rid of koi Origin problem? carp? Thought to be native to Asia Koi are opportunistic omnivores Removal of fish from waterways is originally. that eat a variety of food including difficult and requires expert advice. plants, insect larvae and other For advice, or to confirm the Thought to have been introduced fish. They feed like vacuum identity of a fish, call: accidentally or deliberately into cleaners sucking up everything New Zealand in the 1960s. and discarding unwanted material, • Bay of Plenty Regional Council this causes waterways to become on 0800 884 880 or email murky by stirring up the bottom [email protected] Where are koi carp found? sediment causing habitat loss for other plants and animals. • Your local Department of Koi carp are generally found in slow Conservation office. or still freshwater environments. They are common throughout the Status as a pest animal in lower Waikato River system, and the Bay of Plenty have been introduced to a number of ponds throughout the length of Eradication/Exclusion Pest the North Island. Animal (refer to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Regional Pest Management Plan). How do koi carp spread? Rules require land occupiers to Koi may move to connected destroy all koi carp in any pond waterways particularly during flood or waterway (eradication will be events. led and funded by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and/or People may accidentally or Department of Conservation). deliberately spread fish to other For more information contact a Bay of Plenty Regional Council waterways or private ponds. It is an offence under sections Land Management Officer. 52 and 53 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 to sell, offer for sale, display, release, move or breed koi carp in the Bay of Plenty region. Serious penalties are associated with distributing koi carp in waterways. Bay of Plenty Regional Council Pollution Hotline: 0800 884 883 5 Quay Street, Whakatāne Phone: 0800 884 880 Email: [email protected] 1125 Arawa Street, Rotorua Fax: 0800 884 882 Website: www.boprc.govt.nz Rata Street, Mount Maunganui.