| Tancho markings are greatly influenced by the growth of a fish. In young fish you will want to see a full mark above the eyes and not extending onto the body. The larger and fuller the better. This marking will ideally have the shape roughly of a shield. As the fish matures and the head fills out the marking pulls away and shrinks relative to the head. A perfect Tancho marking on a 12" koi will be too small to carry the body of a larger fish. There should be little fear of loosing a Tancho marking if the marking is full, deep and the fish comes from a bloodline where Beni is strong as is the case with most modern kohaku lines. A weak Tancho marking that is failing can easily be spotted and culled early. |