Kumonryu

Kumonryu, meaning 'nine-tattooed dragon' in Japanese, is a Doitsu (scale-reduced) koi with a dynamic and unpredictable black and white pattern that is unique among all koi varieties in its well-documented tendency to change dramatically with water temperature and season — some fish transforming from predominantly white in summer to heavily black in cooler months, or vice versa. This living, changing artwork makes Kumonryu one of the most fascinating and discussed varieties in the koi-keeping hobby.

House in a well-filtered pond of at least 2,000 L. Maintain pH 7.0–8.5, temperature 5–25°C; cold-hardy through Northern European winters. Feed quality koi pellets seasonally. Water temperature strongly influences pattern expression — document changes through the seasons for a fascinating long-term study. Compatible with all other koi varieties. Good water clarity is essential for appreciating the evolving pattern.