My Koi Are Flashing

[Lisak1]

The OP has posted his pics to Koiphen and is getting advice.

And yet not one person on Koiphen asks for any details about the pond. I always find that amazing.

 

[CometKeith]

And yet not one person on Koiphen asks for any details about the pond. I always find that amazing.

I always felt someone should be required to give basic information about their pond before seeking advice about their fish health. There are so many parameters that can change things for every particular pond! I can’t always analyze my own pond properly and I have been doing this more than 12 years!

 

[GBBUDD]

You have a two year old koi that's only 8 inches long?

i have a koi thats three years old and i know that for a fact as it was a born i the pond thats only 6"

 

[Lisak1]

i have a koi thats three years old and i know that for a fact as it was a born i the pond thats only 6"

Someone needs to get into the business of breeding koi that stay small. Best of both worlds for backyard ponds! We had a couple of koi that were 6 years old that never got over 12 or 14 inches long, but that's still big in a normal sized pond.

 

[GBBUDD]

I was thinking the same thing but that means another pond to have only the midgets in the pond to breed

 

[mrsclem]

I think a lot depends on what you feed and how often. When we were raising koi to sell, we fed 4-5 times a day and growth food! Lots of 24-36" koi. Now no growth food and only feed a couple of times a week and most of mine are 18-22".

 

[Lisak1]

I would tend to agree to an extent @mrsclem but when you have a pond full of giants and a few that are a good foot small, you have to imagine genetics is playing a role. I know there are Japanese breeders that breed for large size, so it seems small would be an option too!

 

[GBBUDD]

I WOULD LOVE A POND WITH N mothing but 12 inch butterflies

 

[brokensword]

I WOULD LOVE A POND WITH N mothing but 12 inch butterflies

I think it's only the Jamacain version that get that big, GB; (homerus swallotail) and it only gets to 6". Not to mention, they don't swim that well.

Maybe stick with fish?