Teri, tsuya and finishing.

[aquitori]

Teri, tsuya and finishing.

A Nishikigoi that is full of health has a bright, shiny skin. A healthy koi has a bright, youthful glow, which express in the words teri(shine) or tsuya(gloss). The colors of an unhealthy koi with the same quality of hi markings will appear dull and lackluster.

This is because the slime that is secreted from the mucus cells in the skin of a koi covers the surface of the koi's body, protecting it from germs and parasites and at the same time making the surface of the body more translucent and reflecting the light, thus enhancing the color on the skin of a healthy koi. It follows that when a koi is out of condition or ill this secretion of slime is disturbed and the colors appear dull. The greatest aid to beauty is health. The essential key to bringout the beauty of Nishikigoi lies in raising koi of quality to be as healthy as possible.

Finally let us talk about finishing. We mentioned earlier that the color of the hiis at its most elegant and beautiful when hi with orange keynotes has been fully broughtout. Simiarly, the white ground displays its finest beauty when the quality the koi possesses has been brought out to the full.

When a koi displays to the full quality it possesses, we say that the koi is "Finished". This is best time to enter a koi in a show and have it assessed. When judges make comments at show on the lines of "This is the most attractive tategoi, they are talking about a koi that is not yet fully finished. How well koi finishing is greatly influenced by how well they are care for.

from Basic Koi Keeping. Nichirin 97-7 No.359

Have been reading past Nichirins and found some info for those who dont know teri or tsuya.

[MikeM]

Nice one, Tony.

On NI recently there was reference to the rather galling practice of giving a treatment of potassium permanganate a couple of weeks before a show. It oxidizes the mucous to create a temporary impression of higher gloss. No doubt in skilled hands such a practice might give a koi a better chance than it otherwise would have, but there is always risk to the fish when using PP and artificially causing the slime coat to become thinner is inherently harmful. The thickness of the slime coat is directly related to the condition of the water and the health of the fish. It is a natural protective reaction. So artificially reducing it inherently reduces a needed protection the koi's body has produced.

[aquitori]

Bump, with 2 weeks away the 3 shows. Does your fish have these 2 major factors to compete at your koi show?

Always remember that your fish could have the best pattern and best body, but if that youthful luster isnt there it could lose out.

[dick benbow]

I quess it is human nature to take the path of least resistance, or do something the easy way, eluding to the PP treatment but the truth of the matter is for every action there is a reaction, and it could be negative. I'm a firm believer in doing things the old fashioned way, by treating the fish naturally with time to develop, high quality water and proper feeding. If the breeder put the genes in there you can bring out the best with proper care...forget the quick fixes.

[johnsmith]

Not exactly. Those Japanese terms refer to hikari luster which is from clear pigment cells called guanophore ( clear cells that reflect light as they contain Guanamine) within the skin. The intensity is appreciated when the skin has the opportunity to reflect back natural light to the observer's eye.
This should not be confused with the luster from mucous which is also impirtant but not the same as Teri on hikari fish. Mucous is, as Tony says, a true sign of health.
JR