The Black Koi

A Black Koi

The black Koi is arguably the most fascinating of all koi.  This variety of koi is attractive because of two main reasons.  Firstly, it is its size.  Black koi are known to grow up to a length of 36 inches.  And secondly, it is that black Koi can change its color.  Under certain water temperatures and seasons, some black Koi can change color completely to white.

The black Koi comes in a few varieties.  Among the Japanese and Chinese, the Kumonryu is the most favored black Koi variety.  The Kumonryu is also known as the Dragon Koi or dragon fish.  This variety of black Koi is named as such because it looks like a dragon’s body.  As the dragon is a revered mythical creature among Japanese and Chinese, it explains the affinity they have towards the Kumonryu.  This type of black Koi can also change color.

Another well-known black Koi is the Matsukawabake.  It is a black Koi that typically has areas of white on its body.  According to the water temperature or the seasons, the Matsukawabake black Koi fish can change its color completely.  It can turn completely black or completely white.  However, the Matsukawabake will return to its original pattern once the conditions change.

The Magoi variety of black Koi actually is deep bronze in color.  But viewed from above it looks black.  The Magoi Koi species is one of the first all black mutations to be bred and can grow to a very large size.  For this reason, Koi breeders use the Magoi to interbreed with other species in an attempt to raise Koi of large sizes.

Another species of black Koi fish is the Karasu.  ‘Karasu’ means ‘crow’ in Japanese.  The Karasu is another extremely old species.  It has black fins and a black body.  This species can also have a white or orange belly.

Aside from the obvious beauty of Koi, owning a fish that can literally change its color like some black Koi can is very special indeed.  That’s why the Koi keeping hobby is so satisfying and rewarding.