March 2009 versus August 2009



With Doitsu fish, the risk of loosing your hi is greater than with Wagoi fish. It is also more difficult to see the signs that it might happen.

I have also learned that it happens more frequently with metallic fish.

I have also learned that it seldom happens with Japanese imports as apposed to local bred fish.

This one is doitsu and metallic, (Hisei Nishiki) but I imported it from a highly respected Japanese breeder being Aoki, and you don't expect this vast change from his fish as he specialises in Hisei Nishiki's. (Genetics are very important)

The quality of water also plays a major role. The harder the water, the stronger the possibility that your koi might loose it's hi.

This one lost all it's red within five months. The black became a little bit stronger and the alignment of scales on the dorsal line became better.

Hi,

I would think that for a Koi to lose its color that fast, (five months) stress could be the responsible factor.
Koi can lose its color within days due to stress.
If there is a color lost over a longer period and to older Koi, genetics would play a major part.

I have found that Tancho Kohaku is the most likely of all Koi to lose it Hi. Colors like Hi(red), Ki (Yellow) Oranji (Orange) are there for the once that will disappear.

Harder water is also one of the reasons that Koi develops “shimis.” (Small black specks, which sometimes spoil the appearance of the white (Shiroji) or red (Hi) markings of a Koi.)