Butterfly Koi Facts
Butterfly Koi are regarded by some as the most beautiful of all Koi. Their rainbow colors and flowing fins set them apart, and their relatively hardy nature has made them (like all Koi) immensely popular as pond fish worldwide. Developed somewhat recently compared to other Koi varieties, the Butterfly is still struggling to carve out a niche amongst more traditional types.
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Appearance
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The Butterfly Koi shares many of the same physical characteristics of traditional Koi: they come in an assortment of beautiful colors, from white and orange to black, gold, and red. The defining feature of the Butterfly variety is the fish's spectacular long, flowing fins, said to resemble the wings of the butterfly. Adult Koi can reach 36 inches in length, though the Butterfly Koi is somewhat more slender than other strains.
History
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While Koi have been selectively bred in Japan since the early 19th century, Butterfly Koi are among several newly introduced varieties to enter the market in the past two decades. The exact origins of the fish are somewhat indistinct, but it is most likely that the Butterfly resulted from crossing traditional Koi with a wild type of long-finned Indonesian carp. This would also account for the Butterfly Koi's hardiness and higher cold tolerance.
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Traditional Views
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Because Koi breeding is a hobby steeped in tradition, many breeders and enthusiasts of traditional Koi refuse to acknowledge the Butterfly as a Koi variety. They argue that since the fish is a hybrid, it cannot be intermixed with other ornamental Koi to keep strains pure. Despite these views, Butterfly Koi continue to gain popularity as pets and decorative fish.
Competition
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Butterfly Koi have been disallowed from competition at traditional Koi shows due to their hybrid nature and slightly different appearance from standard Koi. Because Koi competitions use a traditional fin-to-body ratio as a hallmark of judging, the Butterfly Koi is essentially disqualified before judging begins. The fish also display a slimmer profile and somewhat different scale patterning. Still, Butterfly Koi-specific shows are becoming more popular, and many Butterfly enthusiasts hope that one day the fish will be able to be shown besides more traditional Koi varieties.
Care
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In the home garden, these hardy pond fish are exceptionally popular. These peaceful, sociable fish should not be kept in ponds less than 1,000 gallons and 3 feet deep. They prefer a pH range as close to neutral (7.0) as possible. They will tolerate temperatures from just above freezing up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but should not be exposed to extremes outside these margins. Butterfly Koi do well on a quality Koi pellet diet.
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References
- Photo Credit japanese koi carp image by Geoff Hobbs from Fotolia.com
