Black Koi Fish
Posted: Thursday, February 26, 2009
by Josh Law
Koi fish come in a wide array of colors and patterns. Nothing really differentiates Black Koi from other Koi varieties except for their coloring. Koi reproduction may result in as many as 1,000 eggs and depending on the temperature of the water, baby Koi, known as fry, start emerging in about four to seven days. Their color, however, doesn't become apparent until the fry are about three to twelve weeks old. Male Kois are easily recognized by their concave anal section and in addition, they may also display breeding spots on the head. Koi fish normally live for about 25 to 30 years of age but can live for as long as 200 years and are regularly seen in outdoor ponds all over the world.
Black Koi can grow to be about 36 inches in length and because of their length, like all Koi fish, they need to be kept in large ponds. The Magoi Koi species, which are deep bronze in color but look black when viewed from above, is one of the first all black mutations and can grow to be very large. Magoi blood is being reintroduced into other species to hasten and maximize growth potential because of their large size.
The Karasu, which means "crow" in Japanese, is one extremely old species of black Koi. It is characterized by black fins and a black body but it can also have a white or orange belly.
Due to the effects of their environment and their diet, Koi have a tendency to change color. These color changes typically result in the fish turning from either a duller or brighter shade of color. The Matsukawabake Koi species, a black Koi that typically has areas of white on its body, has the ability to change color. Depending on the temperature of the water or the seasons, the color of this Koi fish can change to completely black or completely white. Amazingly, once the conditions change, the Koi will return to its original pattern.
The Kumonryu, whose name means "dragon fish," first appeared in the 1980's and is the most popular of the black Koi species. The Kumonryu received its name because some thought that their bodies were reminiscent of the dragons depicted in ancient paintings and others thought that they looked like dragons ascending through the white clouds in the sky. As do the Matsukawabake, these Kumonryu Koi can also change their color.
The large variety of colors that Koi come in is one of the attractions that draw pond owners to Koi fish. Moreover, being able to own a fish that is able to change color before your eyes like some of the black Koi species are able to do is another attraction that draws pond owners to Koi fish.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)A very interesting article, Josh. I was not at all familiar with this fish but you have explained it quite well. Thanks for sharing this information.
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