koiguy1969
GIGGETY-GIGGETY!!
Ever wonder why Koi change color and patterns as they grow?
Each Koi is born with a fixed number of chromataphores which remains relatively constant throughout its life. As Koi age and grow, these chromataphores have to cover a larger area of skin; therefore, there is a tendency for the coloration to become paler (due to the chromataphores becoming less dense) or to fragment. This helps to explain why many stunning young Koi are not as attractive when they are slightly larger. Buying young fish from a known "high quality bloodline" usually means you are buying fish with more dense chromataphores, which results in color remaining even when the Koi has grown.
some varieties (e.g. Sanke and Showa) it is common for the pattern to change considerably as the fish grows due to the surface color fragmenting and revealing a deeper, different color
Each Koi is born with a fixed number of chromataphores which remains relatively constant throughout its life. As Koi age and grow, these chromataphores have to cover a larger area of skin; therefore, there is a tendency for the coloration to become paler (due to the chromataphores becoming less dense) or to fragment. This helps to explain why many stunning young Koi are not as attractive when they are slightly larger. Buying young fish from a known "high quality bloodline" usually means you are buying fish with more dense chromataphores, which results in color remaining even when the Koi has grown.
some varieties (e.g. Sanke and Showa) it is common for the pattern to change considerably as the fish grows due to the surface color fragmenting and revealing a deeper, different color
*An excerpt from the article "The United Colors of Koi" by David Pool, Ph.D., Tetra.
