What is the next step for the hobby?

[aquitori]

What is the next step for the hobby? Was curious what others thought about what direction the hobby will turn in the coming years...

[Brutuscz]

Koi that can fly...now that would be a cool novelty!! I really think it's going to be new metallic varieties. They catch the eye...and my dealer says they sell extremely well.

[Charlespear]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brutuscz Koi that can fly...now that would be a cool novelty!! I really think it's going to be new metallic varieties. They catch the eye...and my dealer says they sell extremely well.

Somebody a few years back, made koi with long, dirty, straggly fins. I don't see "flying Koi" to far off!!..

[Sangreaal]

Registries and pedigrees.

You knew I would say that, huh.

M

[luke frisbee]

Prop pump...koi will be kept in a segment of a river...the concrete basins will not be called "ponds" but "creeks" (not really but "pond" won't be a proper descriptor) because the flow/turnover will be 4x-10x.

And pattern and color will become the focus, as body shape will become more stable.. and length will be finally capped at a maximum due to the inability of even the high-end hobbyists to have the skill and ability to handle koi over a meter. When a size limit is mandated, and the breeders have done enough selective-breeding to commonly achieve the maximum, their energy will be more focused on color, pattern, and body. I believe perfect body conformation will be achieved as there is a limit as to what is the perfect body form. However, color and pattern will be continuously improved and the genetics of this fish do not look as if they will limit artistic interpretation...either by the hand of the breeder or nature.

[bekko]

I just heard the next step/future of koi on another board - body piercing and tattoos.

Also, lower energy costs and less water use.

-steveh

[Brutuscz]

I see that luke. I think the size game can only continue for so long. Eventually it will look freakish and unattractive. There will be related health problems, and few will be able to maintain these monsters. Focus will definitely go to color and pattern. Enough with breeding to magoi and huge benigoi. I would rather have a perfect 1 carat diamond than a crappy 2 carat...Good prediction.

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brutuscz I think the size game can only continue for so long. Eventually it will look freakish and unattractive. There will be related health problems, and few will be able to maintain these monsters. Focus will definitely go to color and pattern. Enough with breeding to magoi and huge benigoi. I would rather have a perfect 1 carat diamond than a crappy 2 carat...Good prediction.

The top Japanese breeders don't breed their GC's based on the likes and dislikes of owners like us or the capabilities of ponds like ours. We don't set the bar. Never have and never will. End of discussion.

[mulberryjen]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brutuscz Koi that can fly...now that would be a cool novelty!! I really think it's going to be new metallic varieties. They catch the eye...and my dealer says they sell extremely well.

I've already had a flying koi or two - not all that great of idea. Some dealers might like them - you have to keep buying more after they dry up in your yard.

Hopefully disease issues will not hinder import/export of Japanese koi. Existing varieties continue to improve and stabilize, new varieties come into existence. More efficient and effective filtration systems will trickle down to the mainstream consumer (pun sorta not intended) as well as desire for "better" fish. The quality gap between stock from serious domestic breeders and pond-fish farms will widen even more.

Dinh's daughter Ann with be next great koi judge.

[Brady Brandwood]

The next step for our Koi hobby really should be to get back on track, and strengthen the hobby - to move beyond KHV and its devastating impact on the growth of Koi keeping and showing. The hobby doesn't seem to be advancing at the moment, and shows don't seem to be growing. It would be nice to be able to go to a Koi show in any major city and have 300 to 600 Koi competing, and have the competetion be challenging for the Judges to rank.

It would also be nice for interest in Koi showing to grow, and for all sizes and classes to be well represented.

Would be nice to see new energetic people entering the hobby, and young people taking an interest in Koi raising and showing. New technology will come, and new Koi varieties will come, and quality will increase. We really need growth and strength and energy in the hobby at the moment.

Best Wishes,
Brady Brandwood