Thoughts on an asagi

[Kohaku]

I like what a deep blue it is.

[tranquility]

I very seldom post here....I love to lurk though....most of this stuff is way over my head....I am really more a chatter box....but, I lurk on several forums just to learn....I guess I need to post more...I never knew Ginger was anything other than pretty....Infact I seldom even posted pics of her or Fred because I didn't think they would even stack up to most of the ones I have seen posted....Kohaku she isn't that deep of a blue in the pond...the blue tub just made her color POP..... here is a pic of how she looks in the pond..... and a not so good one of her mate Fred.....again thanks for all the comments.....so is she a reversed asagi ?????
Lawanna

[MikeM]

I like "Ginger". Your pond photo shows how there is a whitish, pale area between the orange/red of the abdomen and the dark blue scales above the lateral line. This separation is very nice. DickB can explain. .... But not a reverse.

[John Bloch]

Quote: Originally Posted by tranquility so is she a reversed asagi ????? Lawanna

sorry to challenge experiance... But I would have to say your asagi is a normal asagi... not a reverse...

On a normal asagi the base of the scale (the part more towards the front of the fish) is white... and as the scale fans out (toward the back of the fish) the scale gets blue... a "reverse scale pattered asagi" is the ecact opposite.. .the base of the scale is BLUE and it turns into a white... and looks like this:




the reverse asagi has what looks like white netting on a blue body as opposed to blue netting on a white body.. heres the regular asagi:


I know you are going to argue with me DCNY but that breeder must have had things mixed up... I found the same set of pictures... but every "encyclopdeia of Koi" i read tells me the exact opposite.. Including the INPC, who im sure doesnt have thier terms mixed up... reverse Asagi are refered to as Sakame Asagi

but, your regular asagi looks pretty sweet! I hope mine grows up to look like yours does!

[dcny]

No arguments from me John. I don't think it's a reverse asagi either.

Does anyone hoave thoughts on the show quality of the "Ginger" asagi?

-Dan

[dinh]

Yes, it is not reversed Asagi.....

Ringer is a very good asagi... should bring to any koi show to share and for asagi appreciation.... I wish scales on her shoulder get more even....

--Dinh

[MikeM]

Dcny: Depends on the competition, of course. .... I'd just say that a 26" Asagi at that level would surpass what we usually see in Florida. We do not have many koikeepers with the water to raise Asagi to show condition. At the Orlando show there is a high chance of one or two being delivered to the show by one of the leading East coast dealers. Such an Asagi would likely be a recent import with the clean, clear scalation and head that makes Asagi glow. Ginger would get second place. But if the recent import did not show, she would be in contention for Best in Variety. At 26", she would have far too much competition for Best in Size. I'd like to see Asagi like Ginger being shown. People would really enjoy the opportunity to see her. Probably pick up a friendship award along the way, too.

[tranquility]

Thanks again for all your opinions and comments on Ginger.....I have talked to hubby about growing out a few of her babies and maybe showing her in the Oklahoma City show in a couple years along with a few of her babies and hopefully by then she will be a bit larger ...just to see.....I wouldn't care if she got nothing as far as awards.....Just to share her would be reward enough.....O.k. another question...what should I try to keep the water ph at- I have noticed she has about 3 shimi spots on her back-they have appeared just in the last couple months...also feed- believe it or not she has had nothing except for Mazuri and a basic pond chow food since I got her....any thoughts on what food would be best for her to help her retain her color and girth...also I had an accident with her last year-she jumped from my hands while transporting her to another tank and it scraped off all the scales on her right side off so the scales returned a brownish color-with this be too much of a flaw to prevent her from showing?..any help or advice would be really appreciated.....thanks again.....
Lawanna

[MikeM]

DickB is the resident Asagi expert on this board (and just about all others as well!). I think a moderate pH in the 7.2 to 8.0 range is OK, but Dick is the one who can say what is best. From all I've been told and read, the more important factor is hardness. The water should be soft for best results, say below 120ppm with around 60ppm to 80ppm being a nice range. However, please do not start trying to alter your pH or hardness by using chemicals of any sort. It will only cause misery. A water softener can be useful, but you have to create enough soft water to be able to do your regular water changes without disturbing the stability of the water parameters. That makes for a lot of work. Be sure you understand what you are getting into before going down that road.

For food, please do try a fish meal & wheat based koi food. And, do not feed "color food". You will only harm an Asagi by causing red and orange pigments to show where you do not want them.

Dick: Have I remembered your lessons correctly?

[PapaBear]

Quote: Originally Posted by tranquility .....I have talked to hubby about growing out a few of her babies and maybe showing her in the Oklahoma City show in a couple years along with a few of her babies and hopefully by then she will be a bit larger ...just to see.....I wouldn't care if she got nothing as far as awards.....Just to share her would be reward enough..... ...also I had an accident with her last year-she jumped from my hands while transporting her to another tank and it scraped off all the scales on her right side off so the scales returned a brownish color-with this be too much of a flaw to prevent her from showing?..any help or advice would be really appreciated.....thanks again..... Lawanna

I'll wait for others to give advice on the healing of the brownish area of scales, but it might be helpful to know if they were originally blue, white, or red scale areas that were damaged. They may heal differently.
As to the OKC show, it would be WONDERFUL to see you there . We really enjoyed ourselves just going to watch this past spring and the club members are great people.