| The more I learn about purchasing koi, the more I lean towards purchasing Nisai koi at a minimum. When I look at tosai (mostly online), I can't seem to find anything I would like to have in my pond. Of course I would never purchase koi online without going to look at it or recommended by respected professional. But I figure, if the breeders released these tosai for sale...they didn't make the cut to move on. So as a tosai, will these koi have a 50/50 chance to be mediocre at best? I can't see Japanese breeders making any mistakes in thier cull programs. Are the breeders releasing these tosai for sale, before they turn "unsellable" to discerning hobbiest. Actually thinking outloud, there are hobbiest out-there buying these tosai so that they can run thier tests for koi development as it relates to water quality and make-up. I guess, to each his own.
I'm sure when I finally get my pond in, I'll start off with some local $100 fish to get me acclimated to keeping koi without killing any. Once I feel my filtration system is performing consistently over a few seasons, I'll probably chuck those cheap fish in the river and go get some real fish. HOPEFULLY I will be confident in taking the big step into Nishikigoi and not just koi. I just think better to buy one $2000-3000 fish as opposed to four $500-$700 fish. |