Kikokuryu is a mystical metallic Doitsu koi with changing black and silver patterns. Discover the 'dragon' of the koi world.
The Kikokuryu is a relatively modern and highly intriguing variety of Nishikigoi that belongs to the Hikari Moyomono category. It is essentially the metallic version of the Kumonryu, which is a scale-less (Doitsu) black and white koi known for its ever-changing patterns. The Kikokuryu features a metallic silver-white base with deep, ink-like black (Sumi) markings. The name 'Kikokuryu' translates as 'Radiant Black Dragon,' and the variety was created by Haruo Aoki of Aokiya Koi Farm. Its dragon-like appearance is enhanced by the shimmering metallic luster that covers its smooth, Doitsu skin.
What makes the Kikokuryu truly fascinating is the dynamic nature of its 'Sumi.' The black markings can change based on water temperature, pH levels, and the age of the fish, meaning a Kikokuryu can look different from one season to the next. A high-quality koi will have a brilliant, high-sheen silver base that looks like liquid metal. The black markings should be deep and well-defined, providing a strong contrast. Because it is a Doitsu variety, the skin is smooth, and the 'Sumi' often appears as if it is flowing beneath the surface. The head of a Kikokuryu is particularly important; it should be metallic, often featuring a 'Menware' or similar black pattern that adds to its dramatic look. The scales along the dorsal line should be neatly arranged and dark, adding to the 'dragon' aesthetic.
Kikokuryu are loved by collectors who enjoy the mystery and transformation of koi patterns. They are striking fish that stand out due to their high contrast and metallic glow. Despite their complex appearance, they are generally hardy and adaptable. When viewing a Kikokuryu, one can appreciate the incredible progress made in koi breeding, as this variety combines metallic brilliance, Doitsu skin, and the fascinating 'Sumi' genetics of the Kumonryu. It is a variety that always keeps the hobbyist guessing, as its beauty evolves and shifts over time, making it a living work of art that never stays the same.
Keeping Kikokuryu koi in Southern California
These koi change pattern with the seasons. Breeders describe more black in cold water and more white in warm water, and a change can happen within weeks or even days.
In a warm SoCal pond, a Kumonryu or Kikokuryu may show far more white than it did at the farm. That is normal for these varieties and is not a sign of illness.
Summer care for every koi in SoCal
- Warm water holds less oxygen, yet koi need more oxygen as the water warms. That makes summer the season when oxygen runs shortest.
- Oxygen is usually lowest around dawn, because plants and algae use it up overnight. In summer, keep air stones, waterfalls or fountains running day and night.
- When oxygen runs short, large fish are often the first affected. The bigger and faster-growing your koi, the more aeration matters.
- Published "ideal" ranges vary between sources, from about 59–77°F to 68–78°F. Most sources treat the low-to-mid 80s °F as the point where you should cut feeding, add shade and add aeration.
- At about 82°F and above, feed less than usual. Koi can lose their appetite at 86°F and above, so offer small amounts of an easily digested food and remove anything left uneaten.
- Shade part of the pond, but not all of it, from the afternoon sun. A shade sail, pergola or floating plants will do. Don't enclose the surface so tightly that air can't move over it.
- Inland SoCal is much hotter than the coast. NOAA's 1991–2020 normals give an average July–August afternoon high of about 95–97°F in Riverside, 83–85°F in Santa Ana and 75–77°F at LAX (air temperature). Inland ponds therefore need the heat measures above sooner and for longer.
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