[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by PapaBear I have a tosai Ochiba which has been normally marked with a golden brown leaf pattern on a pale blue base... until recently. After putting him back in the outdoor pond a strong sumi leaf pattern has asserted itself on his back. If I can get a good picture I'll post it but it isn't easy to get a good shot now that he's back in the pond. BTW, he started out black with a gold outline on the head only and the ochiba pattern rose up from the belly during the first 6 months My question is simple. Does strong sunlight have this effect on Ochiba's or is he just going kujaku on me???

Larry

Sounds like TWO things are going on at the same time.

First, genetically, the fish was destined to change as it got older. It just wasn't showing it's "true colors" when you purchased it. Now that you have placed it in your outdoor pond with bright sunlight and black/green surface, it's taking on a darker coloration. I've seen a lot of ochiba that have developed sumi or very dark brownish-black markings. This could all change again as the fish ages. Only time will tell. I have a fish that I purchased two years ago as tosai that was in a 5/$100 group just to put in my Q-tank to keep things going. That fish, when purchased was marked as a doitsu ochiba. Even the dealer said that was what it was. Well, two years later, it is now 17" and has the coloration of a doitsu goshiki. Very, very BLACK with very nice RED. It even has beautiful motoguro. It's not a show fish by any stretch of the imagination, just a pond mutt that has become a family favorite. Try culling those out of your pond, haha!

Mike