It’s hard to believe that a trait bred into nishikigoi that so many of us love is often snubbed at koi shows. That trait is the long, flowing butterfly fins. Purists believe the long fins of the butterfly koi take away from the breed. In reality the long fins come from another type of carp that is common in Indonesia that has been bred with “regular koi”. Blue Ridge Fish Hatchery in North Carolina has perfected the butterfly koi to the point that it is now available in many “regular koi” varieties and are extremely high quality to boot.

Because they haven’t been shipped all over the world and taken to the limits of stress the butterfly, along with other American koi, tend to be stronger and more resistant to disease than their imported cousins.

Blue Ridge is close to us so it’s easy for us to get those little precious baby butterflies that hardly anyone can resist. They are indeed one of our best sellers. These small koi are often kept in large indoor aquariums to fully appreciate their markings — something you just can’t do with the larger koi.

Although the Sanke and Kohaku butterfly koi are very pretty I find I like the butterfly koi best as Matsubas, Platinum Ogons and other solid-colored varieties, and Chagois and other varieties with Doitsu skin. The long, flowing fins are accentuated best in these varieties.

It’s really a shame that butterfly koi are not fully accepted in the koi club show circuit — I’ve yet to see a butterfly Grand Champion. There’s just no account for individual taste. I am a member of a non-organization that loves them — a non-organization with a much stronger membership than that of any koi club. Perhaps the clubs will come to their senses some day and we’ll see more and more of our beautiful butterflies winning awards.

Until then I’ll delight in watching that great big Gin Rin Orengi Butterfly that I’ve come so close to putting in my personal pond so many times swim gracefully around in the store’s cement pond. ...And for the many, many folks who keep asking how much she costs — she’s not for sale. ...And yes, Susan, it’s the large butterfly from the Flower Show!

From Volume 13 of What's Up, Doc?, March / April / May / June, 2001
© Copyright 2001, The Pond Doc's Water Garden Center. All rights Reserved. Reproduction of this article prohibited without prior consent of The Pond Doc.

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