Amazing breeding program

[estanque_koi]

Hello,
I received the last issue of RINKO on line (no. 384). Well, RINKO usually features wonderful champion Koi from different Shows, but truly informative articles are scarce.
To my surprise the last issue includes a very interesting article explaining the breeding program that Shigeyuki Higashi has been carrying out at Narita Koi Farm. Interestingly, it includes pictures of some parents, family trees as well as pictures of some 1st and 2nd generation Koi. For those not receiving RINKO, what I can tell in short is that Higashi has started new lines using a stunning Benigoi female now measuring 113 cm that was Jumbo prize at the 29th ZNA AJNS, as well as a female Magoi of 130 cm! It is stimulating to see how some breeders invest time and effort and take risk trying unusual breeding pairs in order to improve body conformation, size and beni, even knowing than none or very few descendants in the first and even second generation will match the desired standard.
Regards,
Diego

[dick benbow]

One thing I have never been able to figure out. A few elite hobbyists from around the world have enough expertise and big enough pond to handle the effort to breed gigiantic koi. But from a marketing standpoint you have to appeal
to the mases. they then buy a koi with dinamic bone structure and length and put in less than pristine or big enough quarters?

Wonder who he's marketing to? Must be Japanese?

[JasonS]

The genetic predisposition to huge size, combined with 'old' magoi blood, might create koi that would grow large in even less than ideal conditions.

There is a market for that, I think.

[aquitori]

Pretty big benigoi, I do have to admit it has prefect conformation..

[gregbickal]

Impressive. I do love solid colored koi !!

I have seen koi grow to 24" in tiny little 150 gallon pre-formed ponds. It amazes me every time.