Butterfly Koi Fish

Having Koi fish among garden ponds and aquariums is among today’s popular options when it comes to fish pets. Many breeds and varieties of Koi fish are now widely available in most continents especially in the United States and Japan. Koi fish, which originally came from China, is a type of fish that is being considered as the carp fish’s domesticated and ornamental variations.

Among the most popular varieties of Koi fish is the butterfly Koi fish. This is a variety of Koi that was developed from the Indonesian carp and distinctive of their long tails and fins; hence, they are called Longfin Koi or Long Fin Koi. This type of Koi is also known as dragon carp.

History of Butterfly Koi Fish

The butterfly Koi fish, which is notable for its elongated fins, was first introduced in the mid-20th century. It was the result of Koi fish breeders’ effort to create a variety of Koi with increased hardiness. A notable Koi fish breeder named Wyatt LeFever have interbred a traditional metallic-colored Koi with a Longfin river carp from Indonesia. The result was a Koi fish with longer fins, pompom nostrils, with long barbells and hardier than the traditional Koi.

LeFever called them “butterfly” Koi fish because they have a trait that looks like butterflies. It was then known in Japan as “onagaoi” or sometimes as “hire naga Koi” which means “Long-Tailed Koi” in English. That’s why Buttefly Kois are also popular as Longfin.