Anyone here have older butterfly koi?

[keitarou]

First off, apoligies for a long absence.

I was wondering if anyone here had older butterfly koi. I can't find a whole lot of info on them? I was mainly interested in growth patterns ect. but I would love any extra info on these delicate beauties.

Mine (Mew) is a little over 2 yrs now and has grown quite a bit. My two fantails passed away. Having come from wallyworld a life span of about 26 months was more than expected. Since the death of the last fantail Mew spent most of the time carring rocks arround. I just got him an 8 month old butterfly koi (Poe). Black with white belly and I can't rember him being so happy. Instead of picking through rocks they swim together, rub and even occasionaly kiss each other. Very friendly except at feeding time when Mew will eat everyone's share. I have yet to teach the new one to be hand fed and have had some difficulties keeping him fed. From his habbits I think he was used to flakes or small floating pellets, not Hikari pond sticks, peas and shrimp pellets.

They currently reside in a 55 long. Do koi grow in a linear pattern? Will he grow the same ammount in length this year as he did last? (Want to plan expendatures for 110 Gal purchase)

Pic of Mew. About 2 yrs old.

Pic of 55 long.

 

[*TJ]

How big was Mew when you got it and how big now? It will not meet it's full growth potential in a glass tank, not enough water volume. To put on 4 to 6 inches per year is a good growth pattern... depends on over all genetics as well as space(volume of water to fish) and diet, some can put on as much as 10 inches in a growing season, some one 2-3 inches. Mew looks small to me for a 2 year old. If you plan on keeping butterfly koi in a glass house you really don't want them to grow fast or large.

I got Butter in August '02, she was 5 inches (tip of nose to tail stop), maybe 6 month to 1yr old - total guess as I bought her at a dealers who gets their koi from god knows where in the US. Fall 2003 she was 9 inches. She was pulled in October this year to come inside for winter, 12 inches from tip of nose to tail (butterfly koi are not measured to tip of tail fin because of varying fin lenghts). The smallest volume of water Butter has ever lived in was 2000 gallons. She's on a steady growth rate but still small for a 3+ year old.

I have a few 16 month old butterfly who are 6-7 inches. They lived in a 200 gallon stock tank for 7 months and maybe put on 2 to 3 inchs growth(they were 4 inches) - one of their siblings spent the same amount of time in a 3000 gallon pond, he doubled his size, he grew from 4 inches to 9 inches. Pretty good if you ask me compared to mine in their 200 gallon tank. Mine are now in a 2000+ gallon tank and all have put on atleast an inch or so in the past 2 months.

My friends butterfly is a female and 12 years old, she's 24 inches. Her growth slowed considerably at age 7.

I have found that butterfly koi do not grow near as fast as nishikigoi(koi).

 

[keitarou]

Butter is absolutely beautiful.

We got Mew about 18 months ago at 3 inches, from base of tail. Now he is about 8 inches. If he looks smaller it might be because he is right against the glass in the top and angled away in the bottom. I knew he would be a little smaller being in a tank, but I have been feeding him a diet high in protien.

I have plans for an 4-500 gallon indoor pond. River rocks, waterfall and glass front. However I am a sutdent and move a lot. This kinda prohibits me from making a perminate home for them. I also worry about 110 deg texas heat and stray cats. Mew is not bothered by my cat's pestering and he would be an easy target in a smaller outdoor pond. I would like to keep them in glass for 2 years if possible till I am a bit more stable in my career.

I've notice that the Butterfly koi resembling the Koi more than the longfin carp are popular. Stronger looking fins and full scale. I personally like the long flowing fins.

Thanks for all the info.