Nurturing Sumi

[MikeM]

When Utsuri come out of a muddy pond, the Sumi is sometimes not to be much seen. In clear water it "comes up" rapidly. In just a couple of hours it can look like an entirely different fish. A genetic root in camouflage? Maybe. A different process at work than what we think of as "Sumi development"...maybe.

[lildude]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM When Utsuri come out of a muddy pond, the Sumi is sometimes not to be much seen. In clear water it "comes up" rapidly. In just a couple of hours it can look like an entirely different fish. A genetic root in camouflage? Maybe. A different process at work than what we think of as "Sumi development"...maybe.

Doesnt make sense. Koi are artificially created. It is not like there are shiro utsuri's swimming around being harrased by predators. A defensive thing like that doesnt make sense.

[koiczar]

Thanks to all for your kind comments.

Dizzy

Y ou won't believe this when I tell you, but the conversion took two days. The site the pool/pond sits on was my original pond location which was built in 1977 when I moved into the house. Transported my koi from the old place in the live well of my bass boat!! But that's another story. When I contracted the pool builder I told him I wanted to incorporate the design into the existing landscape. They really exceeded my expectations. That waterfall was simply re-done to fit the new pond. I've also added a vortex tank ahead of the bio filter. Total water circulation is about once per hour between the two systems. I clean the Ultima 20000 weekly during the off season and 2-3 times a week during the warm months. The bio system vortex is cleaned at the same time and the bio is cleaned once or twice a year depending on slough-off build up. The pond currently houses 31 fish ranging in size from 12" to 28" and one to six years of age. If I get some time, I'll post a few fish pics. Most everything is still in the "developing" stages. I don't like to rush anything. They'll bloom (if they do) on their schedule not mine.

Mike

[Sangreaal]

Quote: Originally Posted by PapaBear So many wise counselors Thanks for rolling this one back out Mike. It is timely and informative. How many of you treating your water with Koi Clay (typically 10-12% silica) have improved sumi development after beginning treatment?

*raises hand tentatively* Ummm, I feed bentonite to my koi by dusting their pellets. Does that count? So there really isn't a day that they go without it to see and compare sumi development. I do know this, though--I muddied up my QT with bentonite recently and my baby utsuri canary koi both faded out entirely--not a smudge of sumi left on them anywhere. Happened overnight.

Still, this is what my crowd looks like in cold water and bentonited:


...and my showas have sumi just bubbling to the top now--here's my Ogata gr showa today:


So speaking of sumi development--what kind of sumi would this be called? Is it showa or sanke or traditional or some Japanese name I don't know yet?

Marie

[koifishgirl]

Hey Marie,
It is a kin gin rin showa just remember that sanke dont have sumi in there heads and the showa is a pretty little one.


I would give anything if I could take pictures of koi like that I have took many and not one will turn out good. I can't figure out what Im doing wrong. I dont think it is my camera as it is a good one, its got to be the operator

[lildude]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sangreaal *raises hand tentatively* Ummm, I feed bentonite to my koi by dusting their pellets. Does that count? So there really isn't a day that they go without it to see and compare sumi development. I do know this, though--I muddied up my QT with bentonite recently and my baby utsuri canary koi both faded out entirely--not a smudge of sumi left on them anywhere. Happened overnight. Still, this is what my crowd looks like in cold water and bentonited: ...and my showas have sumi just bubbling to the top now--here's my Ogata gr showa today: So speaking of sumi development--what kind of sumi would this be called? Is it showa or sanke or traditional or some Japanese name I don't know yet? Marie

Who are the breeders of the showa? I like your Longfin Orenji. They look similar to my matsunosuke showa, a lil bit.

[Sangreaal]

Quote: Originally Posted by koifishgirl Hey Marie, It is a kin gin rin showa just remember that sanke dont have sumi in there heads and the showa is a pretty little one. I would give anything if I could take pictures of koi like that I have took many and not one will turn out good. I can't figure out what Im doing wrong. I dont think it is my camera as it is a good one, its got to be the operator

*nodnod* Ayup, that's what she be alrightie, but I mean the type of sumi, not the type of koi. I'm a student of sumi right now........and what I'm getting in my pond is really deep and inky. The kumonryu (or matsukawabake, I'm not clear on that either) is changing much slower than the showas, and the black seems like a whole different sort--kinda superficial, in that it is definately black, but with no depth to it like the showas.

A polarizing filter does wonders for taking pics of koi--cuts the glare and helps the camera focus. If you have an action setting on your camera, use it, not the automatic setting. Too slow. And always use a flash, even in daylight.

Believe me, alot of mine are out of focus since I'm just getting used to the new camera (Kodak Z650) and trying all the settings. Lots and lots of bloopers...*S*

Marie

[Sangreaal]

Quote: Originally Posted by lildude Who are the breeders of the showa? I like your Longfin Orenji. They look similar to my matsunosuke showa, a lil bit.

Ogata is the breeder of the kgr showa and the other is from Sakai.

[lildude]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sangreaal Ogata is the breeder of the kgr showa and the other is from Sakai.

Sakai of Isawa? Which one is from Sakai? I am guessing the left one because of the similarities I see in your Showa Shiroji to mine.

By the way, that kohaku really has a pattern that clicks with me. That is the 2nd of 2 that has clicked to me.

[Sangreaal]

Quote: Originally Posted by lildude Sakai of Isawa? Which one is from Sakai? I am guessing the left one because of the similarities I see in your Showa Shiroji to mine. The big one is Ogata, the little one is Sakai of Hiroshima. taken a month ago (check out the change in sumi): By the way, that kohaku really has a pattern that clicks with me. That is the 2nd of 2 that has clicked to me.

Here's another pic of Songen, my SJK kohak:


With a gh of 400, a ph of 7.5, bentonite supplementation, and cold water, the whites are brighter than ever and the hi strong and deep. Now we wait to see if any shimis pop up to match that great sumi emerging in the rest of the pond...

Marie