10"-12" Doitsu Kumonryu Butterfly — Select

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The Dragon That Changes

The Kumonryu — named for the “nine-tattooed dragon” of Japanese legend — is one of the most mysterious and unpredictable koi varieties in existence. This 10"–12" Select Doitsu Kumonryu Butterfly takes that mystique even further. A pale, luminous blue-white body is marked with a bold black dorsal stripe and scattered sumi spots that seem to drift across the skin like storm clouds. The Doitsu scalation keeps the body clean and smooth, while long, flowing butterfly fins trail gracefully through the water, adding elegance to an already otherworldly fish.

What makes the Kumonryu truly special is its legendary ability to change — the black sumi pattern can shift, expand, or fade dramatically with the seasons, water temperature, and age. No two Kumonryu look the same twice, and no two are alike. The fish you receive today may look entirely different — and even more stunning — a year from now.

Selected at the Select grade for its clean Doitsu body, well-defined sumi patterning, and the graceful butterfly fin development that sets this fish apart.

What Makes This Fish Special

• Pale blue-white body with bold black dorsal stripe and scattered sumi spots
• Smooth Doitsu scalation — clean body with no traditional scale rows
• Long, flowing butterfly fins — graceful and dramatic in motion
• Legendary color-changing ability — sumi shifts with seasons and age
• Select grade — chosen for body quality, sumi definition, and fin development
• 10"–12" size — an established fish with fully developed fin expression

Care Notes

Doitsu Kumonryu Butterfly are peaceful, adaptable koi that do well in ponds with good filtration and stable water quality. Feed a high-quality diet like Blackwater Ultimate Combo Diet to support overall health and vitality. Their long fins thrive in well-oxygenated water. Note that sumi pattern changes are normal and expected — embrace the transformation! Minimum pond size of 1,000 gallons recommended.

Ships live via overnight delivery. See our How We Ship Live Koi guide for full details on our live arrival guarantee and acclimation instructions.