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Example Koi-Comet (goldfish) Hybrid
This is an example hybrid between a koi and goldfish, I found this picture on the internet. This one represents a hybrid's typical distinctive trait which is the large hump behind the head. Not all hybrids have this hump, but most do.

- Hybrids are sterile and can't reproduce.
- The hybrids I have experienced grow to 12" including the tail, and some up to 15" long.
- They seem to be tougher than koi and can take the lower water quality like goldfish can.
- Not sure on their life span (goldfish is about 10, koi is 60+).
- They also do not seem to attack plants like koi do.

With qualities like these, I am surprised that they aren't a more popular pond fish, and breed for commercial sale. I have seen many backyard ponds in the 500 gallon size, and hybrids would be a great fish for those types of ponds. Another great application would be a water garden and lots of plants -- the hybrids get bigger than goldfish, but not huge like koi, and won't tear up the plants.

Some report that hybrids have small barbels, but the ones I have seen do NOT. But here is the problem - all of the fish I could easily identify as hybrids came from mixed ponds, and there might be hybrids with barbels that look like regular koi. Someday I plan to do an experiment where I mix one goldfish with one koi, and then catalog the results. When I do that, will post a link on this page.


Hybrid 1



Hybrid 2




Hybrid 3

Hybrid 4
8" long

Hybrid 5
11" long, has long flowing tail

Hybrid 6
7" long

Hybrid 7
12" long

Hybrid 8
14" butterfly hybrid koi-comet

Hybrid 9
10" all orange - looks like large goldfish

Hybrid 10
Had a sudden batch of hybrids come in

Hybrid 11
Here are about half of the sudden batch of hybrids. They were adopted out in about a week so didn't have to spend that long crammed in there.






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