Fry Pics

[Swan]

So what size are your tosai now? My biggest from last year is about 25cm but I didnt really pamper them like I am this year. Are you gearing up for another breeding come the summer time?

[PapaBear]

They range from as little as 8cm to as large as 22cm at 8-9 months old. Most of the runt's are Utsuri while the larger are Platinums, Yamabuki, Black/Orenji Kawarigoi, Ochiba Shigure. One of the small ones (abt 10cm) is an interesting pearl scale that I'm trying to figure out. Its head and underlying skin looks yamabuki, but the pearly white ginrin scale keeps me from getting an accurate enough picture to pin it down with any certainty
Next week we begin construction on a 2nd pond for this years spawing. It will be lined and approx 8'x20'x4'deep. During normal operation water will circulate from our current pond up to it with its outflow feeding the stream connecting the two. The two can be isolated for greenwater growth in the fry pond when they are young and too small for heavy water flow. Our existing pond is an irregular round pool roughly 16' across.

[Swan]

Quote: Originally Posted by PapaBear They range from as little as 8cm to as large as 22cm at 8-9 months old. Most of the runt's are Utsuri while the larger are Platinums, Yamabuki, Black/Orenji Kawarigoi, Ochiba Shigure. One of the small ones (abt 10cm) is an interesting pearl scale that I'm trying to figure out. Its head and underlying skin looks yamabuki, but the pearly white ginrin scale keeps me from getting an accurate enough picture to pin it down with any certainty Next week we begin construction on a 2nd pond for this years spawing. It will be lined and approx 8'x20'x4'deep. During normal operation water will circulate from our current pond up to it with its outflow feeding the stream connecting the two. The two can be isolated for greenwater growth in the fry pond when they are young and too small for heavy water flow. Our existing pond is an irregular round pool roughly 16' across.

The new pond sounds like a great setup. I'd love to see some pics of your 8-9 month babies. Would also be great to see some pics of your pond constuction as you go.

[koifishgirl]

Yep Larry I want to see them to as you have been holding out on me. Anytime wont be soon enough

[Swan]

Thought I'd post an update to last years babies, they are currently 6 1/2 months and are off to grow on at the dam. In a years time I hope we have some nice sized Koi and hopefully a few eye catchers.

[PapaBear]

I tried this several hours ago, but just as I was finishing up the power went out and took all of my "brilliant" observations went into the ether .
The main thing I notice is that you definitely did a good job of culling for good body shape and shiro quality. They all seem to have pretty good conformation and several of the Sanke, Showa, and Utsuri in particular have interesting pattern possibilities. The Kohaks are mostly a bit weak patternwise, but a few seem to have potential. I'd have to say you've done well in your first attempt

Quote: Originally Posted by Swan Thought I'd post an update to last years babies, they are currently 6 1/2 months and are off to grow on at the dam. In a years time I hope we have some nice sized Koi and hopefully a few eye catchers.

[Swan]

Thanks Papa, Yeah I'd have to agree with the weak Kohaku patterns, the only thing they have going for them at the moment is the bright shiro. Just cleaned up with a final cull before taking them off to the dam, lost about another 20-30 that just must have slipped by in the previous culls, shame there were a few nice ones pattern wise. I have got hope for some of the showas, hopefully there will be a couple of keepers and the rest will be sold. There was about 130-140 that have gone out to the dam, along with some of the shiro muji and aka muji that were kept seperate. I will post some pics in about a year when we harvest the dam, should be interesting.