i have a koi that is black..and turns dark purple in the light?

Question

is this some kind of rare koi?Ive heard some people talk about it..but im not sure?What do you think?

its very beutiful..

Answer 1

It does sound pretty. And here I am with a scientific explanation that takes all the mystery out of what you're seeing.

The black you see are skin pigment cells called melanophores. These cells aren't solid, but look like a spiderweb up close, and they have a bit of iridescence to them. So under bright light, some of the skin's natural pink color and the blue iridescence of the melanophores combine with the black and all together look purple. See photo of fish skin with melanophores up close: http://protist.biology.washington.edu/dparichy/rerio_alb-hires.jpg

Answer 2

They are beautiful fish however what is the species you have?

The UTSURI which is born black and will remain black until it matures (2-3) years will then get its white markings. Although not rare, are beautiful and highly prized fish.
Ai koi are a blue/purple color.

Karasu or Hajiro are solid black koi (from the top) This is the one more likely yours. A picture would be great to see exactly what he is.

Although black has never been a color breeders look to get, more and more Americians are looking to add excitement into their ponds. A true black koi of any background is rare and chances are if you paid anything less than around $5,000, it isn't a true black koi. (If it is GOOD for you!)

let us know what KIND of koi he was sold to you as and we can go from there.

Answer 3

Chromatophores are pigment-containing and light-reflecting cells found in amphibians, fish, reptiles, crustaceans, and cephalopods. They are largely responsible for generating skin and eye colour in cold-blooded animals and are generated in the neural crest during embryonic development. Mature chromatophores are grouped into subclasses based on their colour (more properly "hue") under white light: xanthophores (yellow), erythrophores (red), iridophores (reflective / iridescent), leucophores (white), melanophores (black/brown) and cyanophores (blue). Some species can rapidly change colour through mechanisms that translocate pigment and reorient reflective plates within chromatophores. This process, often used as a type of camouflage, is called physiological colour change.

Ki bekko is a yellow koi with black sumi markings (rare variety).The pattern on a Bekko should be very simple and elegant, with small sumi markings spread evenly over the body.The head of a Bekko should be free from any sumi markings. Ki utsuri is black with yellow markings (rare variety). Ki Shusi(rare yellow with greenish dorsal). Kin-rin and Gin-rin ; the rare Kin-rin has pearl gold reflective scales, while the Gin-rin has pearl silver reflective scales.The modern Lemon Ogon (Yamabuki Ogon) as we know it today was developed in 1957 by crossing the rare Kigoi (non-metallic yellow koi) with the Ogon (metallic yellow koi)."Tancho Goshiki (koi of five colors with Tancho)," and "Tancho Hariwake" are rare.

Answer 4

your fish is very common, it's exactly what others are telling u. Original color is probably dark purple, in certain light, angle, it look black or vice versa. I have a huge pond, shape of a number 8, my pond have over 50 koi fishes varies in size, some are black, purple, dots, red, all sorts of color and pattern u can imagine, ALL NORMAL COLOR AND PATTERN

Answer 5

It's just a very dark purple when you look at it without light. That sounds like a georgous fish though

Answer 6

I think that it probably is actually a really dark purple... the color purple usually looks black unless it is spread out or in the light....

Answer 7

I agree with the other answers, I feel it sounds like a wonderful looking fish.

Answer 8

It's actually purple but looks black.

Answer 9

Does it glow? I want to see it!

It sounds very pretty, though.