On 29 Apr 2005 19:31:27 -0700, "scs0" wrote:

I don't know if this is true or not, but I have heard that butterfly
koi are slower growers than standard koi

It's all genetics, so it depends on the breeding.

and that they are less destructive too.

IME, I've found this to be true, but with any koi though, if you buy it 8"
and up and it has never been in a planted pond, it may very well think all
plants are salad for its culinary enjoyment.

I have also heard that butterfly koi are hardier than standard koi due
to the Indonesian carp genetics they contain.

That's what I've heard, but any koi can be killed by inexperience. My first
koi to die was a beautiful butterfly, all due to my inexperience. :-(

I think they look much nicer than the standard koi and I wish I had
used all butterflies 2 years ago.

I'm down to having only 2 regular fin koi, and one of those already has a
buyer. The other I'll keep as he is 10 years old and hasn't grown over 10"
in the time I've had him. Remember what I said about genetics? He should be
used as a dwarf koi breeding project. ;-)

This year I sold my oldest and biggest butterfly, because in a 1,000 gallon
pond it was just too small. She was well over 24" and it was just
ridiculous for me to keep her. She went to a nice pond, 5,000+ gallons just
minutes away from me, so I can go visit. :-) She is doing well. I'd also
like to add she was really easy to catch. I didn't have a tub big enough,
so I actually was able to catch her with my koi sock net. I'm sure the
short fin won't be so easy. ~ jan

(Do you know where your water quality is?)