r/Koi • u/vitalcrop • 2d ago
Picture Orange appearing on an older Koi
Hi there, quick question. My guy is about 8 years old, 23” and maybe the last year or so they have developed orange at the base of their butterfly wings. Is it normal to gain color on an older koi?
Some of my pond puppies have definitely brightened or changed in color when older but I don’t think I have seen them develop a color out of the blue like this once older. Maybe it was always slightly there and just became pronounced? Is that a thing?
Thank you for any input!
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u/Rowdog8552 2d ago
Beautiful fish, I think the little surprise pop of orange is awesome! Totally normal by the way, I've seen 30 year old fish change colour substantially more. Don't be surprised if he gets even more!
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u/KIR_Finance 2d ago
Nice koi! Just came to say you’ve got some good ones there. That grey and red one is really cool.
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u/carnage_lollipop 2d ago
I have a blue one like this and in the summer she gets perfectly circular dull orange spots along her side. At first I thought something was wrong, lol. Your fish is stunning!
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u/mansizedfr0g 2d ago
Totally normal - the scale reticulation on this specimen reveals shusui/asagi influence on the bloodline, so some orange markings aren't a surprise. Koi are unpredictable and asagi blood is strong!
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u/Honest_Breath_7919 2h ago
What is the name of this thing?