Hi Theresa,
My oldest are about 5 and are about 1 1/2 feet long not counting their beautiful tail. I'm a butterfly koi fan. They grew fast first year and then supposedly grow about 1 inch per year. I have 1 blue standard koi (not long fin) that has grown so thick bodied it amazes me. They are just like people. Have their own characteristics and quirks. My oldest are always first up to top to feed. They are both gold but definitely different. One is Goldie and 1 is Blondie. I only actually bought 3 to start with. There are about 30 fish in newer pond now but mostly donations. All are koi escept 1 called Meatball that is an oranda. I am surprised he has lived outside as we do get some cold snaps now and then.
Due to loosing a lot of fish last spring I no longer add any to either pond without quaranteening them first and treating for parasites. I'm sure Carolyn will remember what I went thru. Sick tanks set up all over the place. Hope I have learned how to avoid that now but every once in a while fish will get sick and die no matter what you do.
Will try to find my pics of pond being built and post.
Good luck, Bonnie
