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Lynne: You are clearly correct that all koi are classified by color for show purposes. Ever think about how some varieties are the product of crossing two dissimilar types, while others are virtually always the product of breeding like parents? A Sanke crossing might produce a Kohaku, but Kohaku breeders focus on crossing Kohaku with Kohaku. This has now occurred for so many generations that few if any fry from a Kohaku spawn are not either red & white, or simply red or simply white. Asagi is another variety that will breed relatively true, as does Ogon. Cross two Kujacku, however, and the chances are you will have all sorts of strange fish. . . . and maybe a few Kujacku. Ochiba Shigure have been around a long time, but from what I've read many continue to be produced by crossing Chagoi and Soragoi, rather than breeding Ochiba to Ochiba.
I think of Goshiki as still in the process of becoming a genetic variety. A lot of crossing of Kohaku with Goshiki to obtain a lighter base and more refined Hi. One of the consequences seems to be eliminating the fluorescent effect of the Hi over gray/black. I think we will see a new-style Goshiki that breeds relatively true in the next , oh, 30 years?
... I'd like to understand how the Hi of an old-style Goshiki differs from that of, say, an old-style Showa, to create that fluorescent effect which does not appear on other black & red fish ... My speculation is that the Hi pigment of Goshiki is overlaying the blue-gray/black pigment, creating greater intensity, rather than being over shiro as in most varieties or being displaced by sumi as in Hi Utsuri. But, my curiosity is not strong enough to go dissecting skin and scales under a microscope to find out. :wink:
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