Lost scales

[Regenmeneer]

I have a Yonsai Chagoi from Marusyo that I have grown from 5 to 30+ in 4 years.

Unfortunately it jumped a few weeks ago, and lost some scales. They have been growing back, but are lighter than the other scales. Is this normal? Will they become the same color later on?

Regenmeneer

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by Regenmeneer I have a Yonsai Chagoi from Marusyo that I have grown from 5 to 30+ in 4 years. Unfortunately it jumped a few weeks ago, and lost some scales. They have been growing back, but are lighter than the other scales. Is this normal? Will they become the same color later on? Regenmeneer

What you are seeing is not the scales growing back but the skin matching colors with the other scales to give it an appearence there is scales.

[Regenmeneer]

This happened the 22nd of Octobre, and the koi have been kept heated longer than normal because of this. The skin was not damaged, nor did it turn white!

[mynamy1]

Generally, a 4-year old koi will grow back its lost scales. The new scales would have pale color and sometimes smaller than the original one. Don't expect a perfect color match again when scale and pigment were lost then.

An older fish (5+) will not generate back its lost scale and the skin and scar tissue take over, again no guarrantee in matching color. MA Le

ps. Regenmeneer, did you get my email?

[Beadmaster]

Hi regenmeneer,

My experience is that many times (= not allways) the colour will return to a near perfect match (may take some time though). Specially if the skin was not dammaged (as in the case of a wound from infection etc).
The new scales on the other hand will many times be a little deformed or arranged not so nicely as before.
I found a nice example of a chagoi with a heald wound where the colour came back 100% but not the scales.
This is a 104 cm chagoi from Matsue koi farm that was offered for a special price because of the "dammage".

Good luck with yours!
Hans

[Regenmeneer]

Hans, thanx for the answer. Did you get the 104cm Chagoi?

Ma Le, I received your e-mail. I'll send you the pics of my Chagoi.

Regenmeneer

[Beadmaster]

Nope, did not buy that chagoi.
I do already have one (not that big, yet though) and would't like to take the risk of shipping a koi that size across the globe.
The chagoi I have is of very light brown colour, a bit between chagoi and soragoi. Bought her three years ago at Hirasawa as sansai measuring 68 cm.
Kept in a small (9m3) indoor pond for all that time until last september. The photo was made when I put her in the new 75m3 pond. She measured 82 cm.
Expect (hope...) she will put on some extra volume and length this year......
Grtz, Hans