Checking the age range of Koi by the fins...

[aquitori]

I have heard from dealers before that you can check the age of a fish by the thickness of pec fins. True or Not true?

[Regenmeneer]

Thickness of what?

Thickness of color? You can see if Koi are juvenile if the pecs are translucent, as opposit to white when older.

I know the thickness of the first ray of the pectoral is an indication of the sex.

[keokoi]

I believe you can get the age range of how translcent the pecs are and how white they are.. Is it same for skin?

[aquitori]

Well some say the thichness of lead ray, honestly it is a better sign of age than sex. The thickness of the skin and how translucent it is...lets just say a dealer offers you a fish, and he says tosai...but the fish's pec is completely thick skinned...would you still think it is tosai? or nisai...

[koiczar]

Tony, Joe

Interesting post. I noticed several times while bowling fish in Japan, the breeder will sex the fish (sometimes whether you ask or not). Otsuka did it, so did Marusei and Kawakami. I had seen it before. If they roll the fish and can't produce any sperm (nisai) and they're still not sure, the last thing they do is feel the pecs, especially the front rays. I have been told that males have thicker front rays than the females. Seems to really hold true in nearly every case. I was quietly guessing while they were checking. Got three out of four right!! Not that it's a big deal, but it does work!!!

Mike

[keokoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by aquitori Well some say the thichness of lead ray, honestly it is a better sign of age than sex. The thickness of the skin and how translucent it is...lets just say a dealer offers you a fish, and he says tosai...but the fish's pec is completely thick skinned...would you still think it is tosai? or nisai...

Bonsai Nisai dude. My specialty LOL

[Regenmeneer]

That's the point I was trying to make Toni. When the pec is white, I would say Nisai. But that way you can only distinguish between Tosai and Nisai.

Would it also be possible to estimate the age of a koi beyond nisai?

[JasPR]

Its true, to a degree. You have to compare 'apples to apples' however, as the varieties have different look as do some strains. Basically the skin gets thicker over the growth of a koi- here is a tosai, a sansai and a yonsai.

JR

[keokoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by koiczar Tony, Joe Interesting post. I noticed several times while bowling fish in Japan, the breeder will sex the fish (sometimes whether you ask or not). Otsuka did it, so did Marusei and Kawakami. I had seen it before. If they roll the fish and can't produce any sperm (nisai) and they're still not sure, the last thing they do is feel the pecs, especially the front rays. I have been told that males have thicker front rays than the females. Seems to really hold true in nearly every case. I was quietly guessing while they were checking. Got three out of four right!! Not that it's a big deal, but it does work!!! Mike

Mike, 3 outta 4 aint bad its always the one that you were sure of too.. The games played while the breeder checks. Its just like asking the breeder which one is his best in pond or even 1-2 and 3...

[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by keokoi Mike, 3 outta 4 aint bad its always the one that you were sure of too.. The games played while the breeder checks. Its just like asking the breeder which one is his best in pond or even 1-2 and 3...

Yeah, seems like they count backwards too!!LOL