Not quite as otherworldly as they sound, the Ghost Koi that have been popularized in recent times are not the thoroughbred grouping of Kumonryu and Beni Kumonryu koi who will change their colors through their lifetime (the cause of which is believe to be seasonal water temperature changes of pH shifts).
The Ghost Koi that surfaced in the early ‘80s are a hybrid mix of wild carp and single-colored metallic Ogon koi. They are also referred to as Ghost Carp—one of the reasons that koi purists don’t recognize them as true Nishikigoi at all. Despite this, they have become popular amongst enthusiasts in the United Kingdom.
This koi type is a loosely grouped classification, all lumped together and handed the name Ghost Koi. One important distinction is that it is an intra-species (not inter-species) hybridization between two different varieties that will produce fertile offspring. The Ghost Koi includes the different scalation varieties (scaled, mirror and leather) and they are ordinarily cream/silver/platinum or gold in color.
In an interesting anecdote from Alisons Nature Reserve, there is a story of a silver Ghost Koi losing all of its silver markings and taking on a completely black coloration.
Thanks to the breeding practices, the hybrid vigor (or heterosis) of Ghost Koi makes them a particularly hardy group of fish. They are more resistant to disease than some of their more traditional cousins, leading some enthusiasts to dub them as being “bullet proof.”
They are also a fast-growing variety of koi, so breeders and enthusiasts don’t have to spend as much time nurturing them to their full size—which can be upwards of 3 feet long and weigh as much as 30-40 pounds in good conditions. Although streamlined, they will develop a more robust midsection over time as they develop and mature.
It means that if you have a Ghost Koi, be prepared to feed them regularly. As a result, a larger pond will be a requirement as will a good filtration system to ensure good water quality.
This variety will produce a lot of waste and—although resistant to diseases and less likely to be bothered by poor water quality—it is good to keep your pond clean, especially if they are cohabitating with other koi varieties. And if you have water plants, there is a good chance you won’t when your Ghost Koi mature, as they will eventually uproot them.
There are some reports that Ghost Koi act as bullies in a pond where there are smaller fish, even eating some of the smaller fish. But missing koi is ordinarily down to predation and the Ghost Koi is no more aggressive than any other variety of koi and in fact are usually quite friendly.
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My ghost koi is anything but wild or aggressive. You’d think she was a chagoi the way she acts! And talk about fast-growing, she is bigger than my 4 year old male and she is less than 2 years old.