subject: Butterfly Koi [print this page] Butterfly Koi Butterfly Koi
The Chinese describe them as "swimming flowers". The Japanese sometimes refer to them as "Living Jewels." Butterfly koi have also been referred to as "Dragon Koi". Even though these names attempt to relay the beauty of the butterfly koi, many traditional breeders view these fish as substandard. Some retailers do not sell the extended-finned fish and many of Japan's famous and most prestigious breeders do not breed these fish today. This particular variety are largely unpopular in Europe and Asia, but are popular in the United States where they are more readily available. The butterfly koi is frequently referred to as the "American Koi".
There is considerable controversy about this species, the name of which is said to have been coined by Randy LeFever, the son of Wyatt LeFever, a noted breeder of oriental carp. The breed and judging standards consider fin length in proportion to the body. The butterfly types exceed these standards from 100 to 1000 times due to the exaggerated fin length. Because of this, butterfly koi had been excluded from koi shows for many years.
There is no question, however, of how beautiful these fish truly are. The extended finnage gives them a grace and elegance that is unparalleled. Regular koi are best viewed as they present in a pond --from the top looking down on the fish. Long-finned varieties, on the otherhand, make an excellent tank display because they are also beautiful from the side. In fact, tank viewing of the long-finned fish is the only way to really appreciate the extra finnage. Large tanks containing this species are just spectacular.
The long finnage is apparently a gene in the wild carp that has developed independently at least twice. This is evidenced by the long finnage of goldfish and of the Indonesian Longfin river carp from which the butterfly variety was developed. It also appears that the extra-finned koi was created by multiple breeders in Japan and the United States by crossing the Indonesian Longfin river carp with their own stocks of colored koi. Those offspring were then crossed to insure the long-finned trait on colored fish.
The butterfly species is somewhat hardier than regular variety which can reduce your koi maintenance tasks somewhat. This may be a result of the hybridization with the Indonesian Longfin river carp. Regular koi could be less hardy due to specialized breeding of the fish, too. In any event, the hardiness of the longer-finned koi is just another advantage of the breed.
If you already have a pond, are considering building a pond or have a large aquarium tank, be sure to consider the butterly koi. You may find yourself spending many relaxing hours watching these peaceful angels drifting through the water.
