| Dick, thanks for the response to the question about sanke breeders in the Favorite Gosanke Breeder thread. Unfortunately, its not the answer I was hoping for. It's disappointing that all the best sanke breeders have the same hi from a genetics standpoint. I am following-up here in the Koi That Fail thread because I can relate to koi that fail better than I can relate to gosanke breeders.
Basically, every fish I have is a koi that failed. Not to the extent of the disappearing hi cases discussed above, but just weak and washed out hi in general. I can make great sumi, but the beni is always poor.
I will continue fussing with my water, but the bottom line is that the alkalinity will always be higher than desired. The operating cost of RO and resins is unacceptable. I thought about switching from gosanke to shiro utsuri and bekko, but just can't get excited about that approach.
I happened to take in an orphan koi which has the purple-type beni. A horrid pattern, but it is interesting that the color has held up so well. Its the only fish in the lot with hi that does not looked washed out. So, I'm now wondering if I can use genetics to overcome a shortcoming in my water. Has anyone else with hard water experienced this?
Way back when, Manzo red was the fad. I recall someone calling it "lipstick red" but haven't heard that term applied in a while. But, isn't this the same as what we call "purple" type red today? I think Hazegawa kohaku is noted for having Manzo founding stock. Which sanke breeders have the Manzo red?
Below, Maurice says that the disappearing hi phenomena is more common with purple-type hi. That's a real kick-in-the-gut for this idea. If I finally broke down and purchased some Japanese fish, only to have them do the disappearing hi trick, I would go ballistic.
Is this just another crazy idea without merit, or should it be pursued for a while longer?
-steve hopkins |