NEWS 115
30
than 100 years of age. The maximum life
expectancy depends largely on the water
temperature. Specimens that are kept in
warm conditions year-round never live as
long as those that spend a large part of the
year in winter rest.Much the same applies to
Goldfishes,which usually live for 15-20 years,
but are known to have attained up to 40
years of age.
Size
Koi and Goldfishes grow very rapidly during
their first two summers of life.Those that are
kept in warm conditions year-round are
often 15-20 cm long before the end of their
first year of life. Goldfishes are already
sexuallymature at this point,while Koi attain
sexual maturity in their second year of life at
the latest.
Special details
Koi with a particularly beautiful body shape
and exceptional coloration fetch very high
prices, while "normal" Koi are very cheap.
The same applies to the fancy forms of the
Goldfish. Always bear in mind that many of
the specimens available in the trade come
from breeders in the Tropics. These fishes
won't appreciate being put into a relatively
ice-cold garden pond in the early spring.
In the case of Goldfishes with modified eyes - this is a Red Dragon-Eye - you need to take special care to
avoid damage to the delicate eyes.
A red and white Comet (= Sarasa Comet)
Fancy cultivated forms of the Goldfish such as
this Pearl Scale are very delicate creatures.
Kohaku Koi, a top quality specimen.
Hence the best time for populating the
garden pond with such fishes is end May/
early June.
