The Importance of Motoguro

[MikeM]

I took some progress photos this morning. The Shiro, which I have named 'Hebi', was 20" as a nisai left in inventory over her third season. She now measures 26". Over the past year the Sumi on her head has risen as a few spots with underlying shadows and then disappeared. This has occurred twice, one time in summer when water temps were around 80F. Definitely not ready to set her face pattern yet. So, she has something of a speckly Bekko look right now. Nonetheless, I am pleased with the development of the shiroji. Still on the thin side, but starting to gain a bit of weight.

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM I took some progress photos this morning. The Shiro, which I have named 'Hebi', was 20" as a nisai left in inventory over her third season. She now measures 26". Over the past year the Sumi on her head has risen as a few spots with underlying shadows and then disappeared. This has occurred twice, one time in summer when water temps were around 80F. Definitely not ready to set her face pattern yet. So, she has something of a speckly Bekko look right now. Nonetheless, I am pleased with the development of the shiroji. Still on the thin side, but starting to gain a bit of weight.

Mike, it looks really nice. The shiro is bright and the sumi looks thick. Once the head pattern sets you will have a stunning pattern.

[dick benbow]

That's a wonderful koi, and thank-you for sharing her with us. When her face pattern comes in be sure and let us see her...

[Ronin-Koi]

Mike, she is looking great. It is very interesting how the motoguro changes with time. I'm still making baby steps learning about koi, and shiro utsuri. It is hard to learn and "imagine" how koi will develop in years to come other than look at progression photos such as your own. Looking forward to more. Thanks!

- Wayne, thinks all she needs is a little more bulk and the finished face.

[weesec01]

Hi Mike,

This shiro has a great checker pattern and the shiroji is developing well too. Hardly find it. I really like it.

[koiczar]

MikeM

You've done/are doing a great job bringing this fish along. I just re-read this whole thread to see the original comments and the actual direction this fish took. Amazing! One thing I really like is the ozutsu on this fish. It appears to be much stronger than most shiro. IMO, the credit for that goes to genetics and the keeper bringing out the best she has to offer. Be patient with the hachiware and motoguro, IT'S COMING but may take a couple more years to look like what you're hoping for. One of mine starting showing signs of her hachiware last year and she had just turned 6 when it happened!

Mike

[MikeM]

Koiczar: Your prediction of her future was pretty good... except she is going to take even longer to show what she has.

I am quite happy with her overall progress, but going back to the topic of this thread, the lack of full motoguro holds her back. Fortunately, she has at least the skimpy motoguro. DickB read her pretty well on that. If she had full-fan motoguro, she would have a much bolder physical presence. We'll see if she gains in bulk and if that compensates for the lack of motoguro. I think two more years is about what it will take to find out.

[farne230]

In my eyes when the head plate turns a rich shirji "white" this is a sign of great breeding and genetics and a indication Mike your water quality is what it needs to be to show off a high qulity shiro tategoi.
Bob