How to determine male or female Koi [KOI GENDER IDENTIFICATION]

00:00 introduction
01:21 Body posture differences
02:06 Pectoral fins differences
03:01 Vent differences between female and male koi
05:35 Oyabone, leading ray of pectoral fin
06:25 Gills as indicator
07:35 Differences in development of colours

How to can you tell the difference between a male or a female Koi? This can be quite difficult. Especially for koi under the age of 2 years old. Sexing Koi is not that straightforward as you might think it would be.

In this video we will talk about the different aspects that you can make use of to determine if a Koi is a female or a male koi. We will talk about the body shape, especially for older koi. Discuss the pectoral fins and the shape of a fin and what it can tell about female or male. And also flip over different koi to get an understanding of the differences in the vent. Which is the best indicator to determine if you have a female or a male Koi.

Overall female Koi tend to become more clean and have a larger body when they become older. But they are also more difficult to grow, because they can be affected by their surroundings. Like water quality, water temperature, the food you give, and so on. Male koi are just a little bit easier to keep clean and grow out.

Overall female Koi will develop a larger body. While male koi are more slim. But at two years old, like the two Shiro utsuri in this bowl, it is not really a strong indicator. For 5, 6 or 7 years old body posture is a good indicator. Still male koi can have impressive body postures as well, which makes it not 100% guarantee male or female.

Overall some people tend to expect that female fins are larger than male fins. This is not the case. Personally I never use it. In my opinion it is not a good indicator. It might be 50% correct or 50% wrong, there are better indicators that can be used to determine the gender of a koi.

Using the vent is a very good indicator to determine male or female koi. It is not an indicator, it is the truth. Female Koi have a vent that protrudes slightly, and have a transverse slit that is running across. While for male koi the vent is tighter and is slightly receded in its appearance. For young koi and tosai the vent might have the same appearance, which makes it a difficult indicator for very young koi.

The pectoral fins and the oyabone can be used especially for males. The oyabone is the first leading ray of the pectoral fin. When this ray feels like sandpaper, the koi is a male. When it feels smooth and soft, it might be a female.

The same approach can be applied for the gills. When the gills feel like sandpaper, the koi is a male for sure. If it is soft and smooth, it most likely is a female koi. This indicator can especially be used very well during the spawning period from April until June.

Female tend to develop their colour fast as well. However, this is just an indicator. It surely is not always the case that darker and more developed colours are males. But overall males tend to develop their colours quicker. At a young age male koi can already have very hard and dark colours. While female often take more time to develop. The examples in this bowl however how that this can be completely reversed, making it a more difficult indicator.

Consider to subscribe if you enjoyed this video. And stay up to date of new video’s coming up! Thank you for watching and see you in the next episode!

----------------------------------

AboutKoi is your source if you want to know everything about Koi. On our Youtube channel we share the most beautiful moments from Japan, high quality Koi, knowledge and information about Koi and anything else you would like to know about Koi.

Join us and follow us through the most fascinating moments of Koi and Koi keeping.

https://www.aboutkoi.nl
  / aboutkoi  
  / aboutkoi  
   / aboutkoinld