06/02/2026
SUCCESS!!! We have our 8th spawn of koi happening now! This may be one of the most unique and odd spawns we have had on the farm to date. We did spawn this female two years ago but did not understand the genetic anomaly she held until we saw the offspring she produced.
This female is a VERY RARE koi. I am not 100% sure of her genetics as we purchased her from our distributor as a small Butterfly Metallic koi from Yamasan Koi Farm in Japan. This koi is a metallic Akame koi.
Akame is a form of albinism in koi and is uncommon other than in a couple of varieties such as Kigoi and Karashigoi. Her being a Metallic and Akame makes her far more rare than one in many BILLION! Adding butterfly even enhances the rarity.
After discovering the impact she had on the spawn she produced we better understand her genetics and have made an attempt to enhance the results. I did something I normally do not do but this is one case where I felt it was justified. We are using two of her male offspring from two years ago as part of the spawning group in hopes of increasing the number of Akame and odd genetics produced in the spawn.
Here is what AI has to say about this genetic.
Yes, koi with the akame (red-eye) genetic can be metallic, but it is extremely rare.Akame (which translates to "red eye") is a genetic mutation that affects pigment development, most famously seen in the Akame Kigoi (a non-metallic, matte yellow koi with red eyes).However, when combined with the dominant metallic gene (often designated as D/d), it produces a completely different aesthetic:The Look: Instead of a flat, matte yellow skin, the fish displays a lustrous, highly reflective gold-to-lemon sheen across its scales and body while retaining the signature red eyes.The Rarity: Non-metallic Akame are already highly prized and rare to find. Finding a true metallic variant involves specialized cross-breeding, so they are not commonly available in the typical koi market.
