ortega10@
Koi Lover
Feb 24, 2002, 5:39 PM
Post #2 of 7
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Hello Hwong!
I'm but a beginner, but if I were to be allowed to make some comments...
Here goes -
Hi - In young Kohaku, and the same goes for other varieties, try to look for good solid orange-red, as opposed to dark red. Dark red looks nicer in our pond, but for a small fish to be very red when young, it probably means that it had been fed heavily on color intensifiers, which is not good for the koi's growth. Hi will thicken year after year, depending on the growup environment, and with sufficient color enhancers in its diet when it's slightly larger, it will turn red. Another point, even if you buy a solid red kohaku, the color will fade with varying degrees, again, depending on diet and water. Maybe you might like to look for good white, which is important for any red to really stand out, and sharp kiwa.
Kindai Showa - IMHO, showas are the most unorthodox varieties amongst the go-sankes. There aren't any hard set rules about the markings, except that it should be pleasing to the eye, and most importantly, balanced. In Showa, a certain guru of mine taught me the most important thing - "Hi goes, Sumi Grows". A perfectly balanced kindai showa might grow up with lots of black. Similarly a dark showa might fade to become a kindai showa, however this is rarer. Perhaps you might want to look out for a kohaku/sanke lookalike when it's 15-20cm. That way, you might get a better chance. Look out for hidden sumi beneath the white or red. These are usually signs of where sumi will come up later.
Bloodline - Only Kohakus and Sankes have true bloodlines. Other varieties are somewhat like the breeders own distinct characteristics. I don't want to comment on this, nor do I know enough to comment on this. Before you purchase bloodline koi, try to learn to identify the different characteristics of the different bloodlines. I must add, apart from bloodline, colour is very dependent on diet and environment. Koi do not produce their own color cells, so they must eat enhancements in our pond to gain color pigments. Maybe you might want to read up on the articles and resources on www.cyberfins.com to find out more about diet and coloration.
Shape - Koi need an average of 5-6 feet minimum of water to get enough pressure to maintain their body shape. I assume the deformities you are talking about are the bulging belly or lop-sided bellies. Large female koi tend to have eggs stored in them, more often than not the eggs are not balanced on both sides. If local koi are concerned, some of them have it in their genes. It takes a lot to grow a koi to 80cm, and the rule of the thumb is, the deeper the water, the better.
If I am wrong in any of my comments, could anyone feel free to correct me?
All in all, I'd recommend you to buy koi around 30-35cm, or at least bigger than 25cm. They are more stable, and it's easier to find what you want.
Cheers,
Daniel
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So far my koi selection has been left in the hands of the firendly dealer and friends. I intend to pick some myself but quite confused. I am hoping some of U gurus out here can give me some pointers. 
Believe it or not; my daughter was pestering me since she doesnt have a Kohaku like her brother does. My son tried very hard to get a Showa on the same pretext. My younger kids are enjoying the hobby just like I am. My son has read quite a bit of the Koi books, asking questions. He actually bargained down the price for her sister when I was reluctant to buy. The next koi hunting trip, I am bringing him along for sure.We are also trying to interest our Home Minister. 