| In the September 1995 issue of Rinko (English), there is an article concerning a rooftop pond in Okinawa, which has a subtropical climate. The author makes a point contrary to all I have read elsewhere, but for that very reason I found it of interest:
"Koi in Okinawa generally have brighter Hi. I wonder if there is a relation between the color of Hi and sunlight. In this matter, a koi dealer of Hong Kong also said that koi brought into Hong Kong from Japan easily gain the color of Hi there.
The koi in Okinawa may well have a peculiar color to them. I remember that bright color of Hi which Mr. Uehara's koi have."
There is insufficient information regarding foods used, bloodline of the koi observed or other data related to pigment to even speculate on reasons that might explain the observation. A photo makes clear that the pond in question was not even waist deep, unshaded and fully exposed to the sun. There is no reference to use of cooling equipment or even constant flow of fresh water, but perhaps water temperatures were being controlled by one means or another?
In the same issue, there is an article on koikeeping in Hong Kong which speaks of the ponds of three leading hobbyists. The design of one pond is reviewed in some detail, with a passing mention that the water temperature was controlled to be 15C from November through March, and 25-28C from April through October, with a two-month fast imposed. I would hesitate to draw generalized conclusions about warm climate koikeeping based on observations of koi kept in such a fully controlled environment.
As always in this thread, I am sharing information I come across and do not vouch for the accuracy. |