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Good morning Diz,
the fish is two in this picture- meaning it was born in spring, spent a summer outside and then wintered inside, was put out again for the second summer and harvested in the fall when this picture was taken. By western calculation of 'age' and birthdays, the fish is 18 months old. She is 16 inches in this picture. A KILLER fish.
Now do NOT be offended as this is meant to be an eye opener and NOT an insult. These are tateshita. Good beginner fish and they definitely have some elements of quality in their color. They are males most likely based on the finishing rate. The problem is, in very small males like this, pattern is most important and these both have pattern problems. Fish of this grade should not be bought for what they might be when they grow up. They are to be enjoyed for now and for the next few seasons.
Here is the rising tide your eye will face as these fish grow—
These fish are ‘cute’ at this size. But as they grow they come up against what is coming into the country for age two and then age three and so on. As these older fish come in, you are looking at those saved from the previous year’s culls. Meaning, the quality gets better and better. Meanwhile your fish must contend with their shortcomings which become more pronounced as they get older.
So pirate Internet practices aside, the ‘system’ will ultimately educate you by comparison examples.
This is a great opportunity for learning here- compare your goromo to this very high class goromo. Can you tell and articulate well the differences in these two fish ( age and size aside) ?
JR
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