Page 356 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

354 POND FISH DIRECTORY

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Few pond fish live longer than koi; indeed, a growth rate in this time of 1 in (2.5 cm) per
a number of the original eight koi transferred month. This rate is largely influenced by the
to the moat around Japan’s Imperial Palace koi’s environment—including quality and
following the Tokyo exhibition of 1914 (see temperature of the water and the stocking
p.347) were still sighted there more than 50 density in the pond—and also by the amount
years later. Koi also rank among the largest of and quality of food provided. After this stage,
all pond fish, with some individuals reputedly the rate of growth declines, and a koi will not
reaching up to 6 ft (1.8 m) in length. Overall reach its full adult size until it is 15 years old.
size is partly dependent on variety; Chagoi The color and patterning of some varieties
(see p.356), for example, naturally grow can change as they grow and develop. This is
to a much larger size than most other koi. especially true of Matsukawabake koi, which
An individual koi grows to almost half its have unstable black-and-white markings that
potential adult size in the first two years of can alter in response to changes in
its life and, if kept in optimum conditions, has environmental conditions.

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