| Nice fish. And I'm sure she is agreat source of pride for you. You did an excellent job of keeping her youthful looking. Beyond that I'm not getting the comments that are being made by the group????
The body is good, the growth rate for a 14 year old fish is normal. Most females of a good lineage are 28- 32 inches at this age.
In addition, this fish was 24 1/2 inches at 24 months. And has grown another 6 inches in 12 years?! This proves that forced growth technique in one and two year olds is an illusion as the fish simply slows and grows to normal adult size after age 4. Yet one pays up for the promise of a 96 cm monster.
The beni is beginning to decline in this fish. The kiwa is retreating on the edges. The beni is good quality but thinning. At least this is how it appears in this photo.
Finally, the pattern is of an inazuma type and is considered primitive by most breeders as a type. It is of least value due to lack of wrap over the body ( this is harder to get) and/or stepped pattern ( that is harder to get also). In show fish that have inazuma, the majority are males. But the females can get very far also IF the inazuma moves across the body ( from right to left and left to right) and balances the koi as opposed to just running down the backbone.
Again, my apologies. My intent was not to upset you or take any pride away from your fish. You have done an excellent job in keeping this fish- really excellent. But the kudos were building to a real lesson in misteaching and I thought I should correct the record. Koi is a learning experience and it is important to stay on the right path. - JR |