I need help from Koi experts! What is wrong with my Kohaku?

[kathy p]

I am pretty new to koi keeping, with around 27 koi in my pond. Most, I got from a friend who is a breeder. But, recently, our club got a "great" deal on some Japanese Koi. My husband and I purchased 4 young Koi, 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 inch long. 2 sanke, 1 showa and 1 kohaku. The first 3 are great! The kohaku, however, is my problem. The picture that was taken when the man picked the fish was a 4 step kohaku, and beautiful. When the fish arrived the 4th step was gone and the 3rd step was diminished. We have now had them for about 6 or 7 weeks. The steps continued to diminish from the tail upward, until now it is no longer kohaku! Now, I have a white fish, with a slightly pinkish tint all over, but not a single hi scale remains. The tancho was the last to go, but it is now gone too. Is this normal? Has anyone ever seen this happen? What should I expect? Will the Hi patterns return as the fish ages or should I cull the fish to keep it from breeding with another fish and ending up with disappearing patterns from all its offspring?
I hope someone out there can help me!

[danielle Z]

First there are no guarantees with the stepping pattern in your koi. This comes via genetics (lineage) and good breeding. Just because someone breeds koi doesn't mean they breed high-grade koi. Remember no two koi have the exact identical pattern This is what makes them different. Poor water will also disinegrate your koi's color.

The problem with your fish could have started with the breeding and unless there are specifics the breeder can tell you there is no way of knowing if the color patterns will return. Also there are also no guarantees that this fish has a genetic pigment problem (unless the breeder tells you). There are guidelines set down by ZNA Japan for defining patterns. Most common of all the patterns are the three-step or four-step pattern on a Kohaku like yours, however the the main preference is for the hi (red) not to reach beyond the eyes or nose area in order to maintain the dignity of the koi. There are no other rules for this pattern or color. Has anyone else had this problem? May explain why you got such a deal.

If you are breeding the koi, are you removing the females to breed with specific other females? If not, I would keep the koi in the pond and not cull him out just yet. Remember Patters are a matter of preference and not a requirement. Higher points are given but not required.

Check your water params. Even adding 4 fish could have knocked your params out for a short time. Also, wintering koi and keeping them from eating over winter will in most cases bring their colors back. If you don't want him to breed, and you don't want the pattern that may return in the spring i would cull him then, but that doesn't mean his offspring will have a disappearing pattern.

The interesting thing here is you never know what you will get come spring time. Taking a blue koi and mixing with koi may give you a pattern or a mix that is stunning. (believe me I've done this MANY times to try to get unique patterns and colors)

PS algae does not affect color of your fish. Pumpkin, redpeppers carots, brine shrimp paprika will but not algae.