[schildkoi]

Intere3sting subject and "controversy." A Koi's "potential" for size is one of pure genetics. His ability to reach that potential is another story. Environment and diet come into play here. By forcing the environment and diet, perhaps one can quicken the rise to its size potential but as mentioned, at what health costs? I am not a fish pysiologist so I really can't say about that. Koi, like other animals wil vary in their rate of growth even under the same gentic size potential and environment/diet since all are different in other ways. Look at it this way, were the bigger kids in grade school always remain the bigger kids by the end of high school?

Now, from a show perspective there may be some advantage to forcing growth at an early age. Having a large, yourthful koi does have its advantages over having a large old koi from a skin and color perspective. BUT, forcing groth too much can also have adverse effects in this area as well. Ever see a koi fed too much high protien paste food? Rouch skin and faded beni are a few visible signs of this.

Just throwing out some food for thought. I'll stick with my 4 season varible season diet for my koi.

Steve