KOI BOWL The Koi is a member of the carp family of fish. Carp have long been kept and bred as pets in many civilizations. The ancient Romans kept them in ponds and fountains and bred the ancestors of today's common Goldfish. In China, they are recognized as good luck symbols. The colorful Koi carp available today are the result of a strain first bred 160 years ago in Japan from a naturally occurring mutation. The word Koi actually translates to "carp" in Japanese. Inspired by Japanese tsukubai (a hand-washing bowl used in tea ceremonies), this Koi bowl will allow you to keep Koi, without having to worry about pesky predators.