Rise and Fall of Sumi . . .

[KoiCop]

Bought a cute little 10" Sakuma GR showa in Nov 2005 that started losing its sumi when the water warmed up in the spring (and, yes, I know that's a relative term here in SoCal).

By summer there wasn't a single spot of sumi -- not anywhere. I kissed the sumi goodbye and cried a lot but finally got used to my "new" koi. I even got to thinking she was a nice looking GR kohaku.

Then we had a couple of real cold snaps in late Nov, early Dec. Lo and behold a few spots of sumi surfaced from out of nowhere.

*1 Nov 2005


#2


#3


#4


#5 Today


#6 Today


Don't know what's gonna happen in the long run but its been a fascinating journey so far.

[jnorth]

Pretty wild ride Don. It will be interesting to see if it comes back.

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by jnorth Pretty wild ride Don. It will be interesting to see if it comes back.

An E coupon ride, for sure. Will keep you posted.

Marie (Sangreaal) has a GR showa that's done the same sort of thing. Anyone else have a similar experience to share?

[Russell Peters]

Hi Don,

It looks like there is quite a bit of sumi underneath back at the tail. The sumi will develops from back to front. I think you will be surprised, don't give up on it and take more pictures as it develops.

Russ

[dick benbow]

from the looks of the original photo with full sumi, the quality of the black looked high class. Why it comes and goes, I don't have a clue but I'd be willing to bet when it comes back that it will be worth the wait. I like the koi.

[kiky]

My Sakai gr showa seems to be having the same developement. Here's three photos which show diminishing sumi.

[kiky]

Oops, that is only the second photo. I am having trouble putting the attachments. I'll try for the 1st and 3rd photos, where sumi is getting less on the head. Also beni on the shoulder has somewhat weakenned.

[koifishgirl]

Dang, I would be crying to. She lost it all, and she did look better as a showa, I hope the sumi comes back and she will give you years of enjoyment.

Makes me want to get a set of showa and start raising them.

[kiky]

Ah the 1st photo is still missing. I hope I can attach it now. so the sequence from the top is: 2nd, 3rd and 1st photo

[Louie]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop Bought a cute little 10" Sakuma GR showa in Nov 2005 that started losing its sumi when the water warmed up in the spring (and, yes, I know that's a relative term here in SoCal). By summer there wasn't a single spot of sumi -- not anywhere. I kissed the sumi goodbye and cried a lot but finally got used to my "new" koi. I even got to thinking she was a nice looking GR kohaku. Then we had a couple of real cold snaps in late Nov, early Dec. Lo and behold a few spots of sumi surfaced from out of nowhere. *1 Nov 2005 #2 #3 #4 #5 Today #6 Today Don't know what's gonna happen in the long run but its been a fascinating journey so far.

Hi Don,
I bought a Sakuma GR showa too. This showa had great GR on most of its body, but from the back end of the dorsel fin to the tail it was soild black. I ? Sakuma-san on why the GR did not show in the back. He told me that it still had baby sumi and the GR would develope later.I had to buy it just to see if it would change. This baby now has full GR and the black is still there. I sure hope I lose some of the sumi in that area . Who knows, maybe Sakuma does [humm]
Louie