| I would have preferred the title of this thread to be:
the Illusion or reality of Jumbo tosai
As Mickey has said, 'Jumbo' is a descriptive term but it in no way tells you what or how the fish before you got that way. It can be genetics? Yes, but there is no way you will be buying that fish as a tosai. It is too valuable as a tategoi and will fetch much bigger dollars in a few years. So that fish is a rarity and certainly not offered to hobbyists. The exception would be if the fish has a poor pattern and/or is likely male- in fact, if that is the case, it is sold readily.
And you can certainly get a tobie.
Most jumbo tosai however are simple fish that have been forced in growth through husbandy technique and will hold 'size' against seasonally raised fish for about three or four years. At which point, both will be of the same size.
Ironically, in a average to below average backyard setting, most fish will only grow slightly to modestly. In that environment, the jumbo tosai will always be 'jumbo' to the others as no one has an advantage and the pace of growth will not allow the others to 'catch up'. But then again that jumbo may only get to be an adult 27 inches when it was 18 inches at age 18 months. Generally a very poor growth rate considering where it was at age one.
Ask yourself this- we have seen VERY large tosai gosanke coming into the country for some 6 years now. So the leading edge of this classification is now seven years old. Where are these 40 inch gosanke?? Where are these 36 inch gosanke? Not to be found? But still the dream and the illusion that 20 inch tosai translate into giant adults sells hundreds and hundreds of these fish each spring.
Big koi are produced with some reliability by good genetics and a super environment.
But an 'impression' of great genetics can be created with certain husbandry practices- heat, massive protein feeding, high oxygen and eternal summer. At least for a while.
Jumbo tosai are 'things to dream on' no doubt. And very tempting in that regard. But you are often much better served by looking for a three year old tategoi instead.
JR |