Koi Ponds: Metallic Sheen on a Koi Fish Scales
More Top Pond Keeping Tips: Click image right for UK pond products. It is a good idea to pump out about 10% of your pond water every month or even weekly if you have lots of fish and replenish with tap water. The reason is that nitrate levels slowly build up and can reach a level that is too high for the pond. The easiest way to arrange this is to place a valve and "Y" or "T" piece into the pump line then all you need to do is connect a temporary pipe to the valve and lead the pipe to a spot in your garden - pond water makes for a good garden fertiliser. On the other hand if your fresh water is rich in nitrates then doing a water change may not be a good idea. Always spray water onto the pond surface when filling with fresh tap water ... any chlorine in the tap water will then be reduced.
Types of Metallic Koi
Metallic koi are certainly one of the most sought-after varieties of koi. Their platinum and gold coloured skin appears to shimmer in the sunlight, making a rather eye-catching spectacle in and amongst the more colourful varieties of koi. They inherit this gleaming metallic colouration from very specific colour cells called iridocytes. Metallic koi have high numbers of these cells in their skin, as opposed to the chromatophores which give other varieties of koi their vivid colouration.
Due to their comparatively simple colouration, metallic koi are rated differently to most varieties of koi. Usually the colours and markings on a koi are some of the first characteristics to be judged, but metallic koi are rated according to the lustre of their skin, the size and shape of their body, as well as whether their heads are blemish-free.
The Three Varieties of Metallic Koi
Hikari Muji – known for their outstanding simplicity. The Hikari Muji are single coloured metallic koi that add a wonderful shimmering element to any garden fishpond.
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Hikari Utsuri – their appearance has often been described as a mixture of Ogon with Showa or Utsuri. However, despite its metallic sheen, the clarity and colouration of Hikari Utsuri is very seldom comparable with a pure Showa or Utsuri.
Hikari Moyo – any patterned metallic koi falls into this category. Some better known varieties of Hikari Moyo are metallic Kohaku, Gin Bekkos and the Kujaku, but there are many more as well. A particularly attractive variety is the Doitsu Hariwake which has just two contrasting colours.
Metallic Koi: A Popular Choice
Metallic koi add another dimension to a garden fishpond, providing wonderful contrast and aesthetic appeal to your multi-coloured stock of koi. In Spring, you will appreciate this variety of koi even more as their skin reflects the sunlight so magnificently. Metallic koi are also described as being a lot more active than other varieties of koi and will therefore add some lively variation to contrast with the more reserved types of koi. Furthermore, they are easy to breed and farm, which is why they are often sold at a reasonable price – all the more reason to add some sparkle and shine to your fishpond!
