What $18 and education can buy you

[Nancy M.]

There is been a lot of talk on the subject of finding a good fish in the 4 for $100 tanks at dealers. Well, back in 2001 Frank picked a Sanke out of one of Eastern Nishikigoi's $18 ponds, were if you bought 4 you got 1 free. We grew it for almost 1 year, and then entered her in the San Diego koi show, she won best in size 1. Sorry we did not take pictures then of our fish when we 1st bought them, but here is her picture at the show.
A few years ago Eastern got in there shipment of high quality tosai, well everyone was going crazy wanting that perfect koi to compete in the ZNA SoCal show, Frank bought a Sanke for $1200, and several others spent the same amount, they were all having a friendly competition on who was going to win Baby GC. Well, Joe Co comes in and does not want to fight the crowds, he finds a small Sanke in the $25 tank, and buys it. 2 months later he brings it to the ZNA show and wins Baby GC. I laughed my butt off at my husband and a few of our good friends. The only consolation was that who ever wins Baby GC or GC has to buy dinner, in our circle of friends
Spending big money does not mean you will get the best fish of the day. This is were education, and a trained eye will get you further in the hobby, and more bang for your buck.

[jnorth]

Great story Nancy!

[dubtaco]

Do you still have the sanke, would love to see a current picture.

I'm still a newbie in the hobby (3yrs.) and normally buy those cheap 4 for $100 tosai. Your story gives me hope that one will turn out okay. Of course my eye for picking tosai is crap and I have to buy koi from pictures, so it would just be dumb luck if one did. Even with that the 4 for $100 koi I get from cali are worlds better than what’s available to me locally.

[Nancy M.]

Quote: Originally Posted by dubtaco Do you still have the sanke, would love to see a current picture. I'm still a newbie in the hobby (3yrs.) and normally buy those cheap 4 for $100 tosai. Your story gives me hope that one will turn out okay. Of course my eye for picking tosai is crap and I have to buy koi from pictures, so it would just be dumb luck if one did. Even with that the 4 for $100 koi I get from cali are worlds better than what’s available to me locally.

We had her till 2 years ago, we brought our fish home from the ZNA SoCal show, and we were putting them in our small pond that we use for fish returning home, from shows. And my husband forgot the water running, we lost all of our nice fish that were in that pond.

[HEADACHE6]

To this day , my niece loves telling the story how her $20 Showa beat my $400 Showa at our show . Uncle Troy , even laughs !!!

[dubtaco]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nancy M. We had her till 2 years ago, we brought our fish home from the ZNA SoCal show, and we were putting them in our small pond that we use for fish returning home, from shows. And my husband forgot the water running, we lost all of our nice fish that were in that pond.

OMG, sorry to have asked...I'm probably the only one this board that didn't know that, I'm feeling a little dumb at the moment...

[dick benbow]

Chris don't feel bad, this is a learning thread....and i don't care how long you have been a top notch koi keeper these types of accidents happen. When I'm out working with the koi the president can call, and it goes into voicemail till I'm done...so take note no body is immune.....

back to the thread, I think to be honest the chance to get a good koi in inexpensive tosai happens because breeders try a new pairing with no history
and they have to make decisions because of stocking levels. The decisions of which are not as good as when they are sorting proven parents from which they've seen what the genetics do.

In all the years of experiencing this, it was with koi that had black coming up
on them in later months...shiros,sanke, showa....not with koi like hariwake, kohaku etc.

[aquitori]

Great story Nancy...That story is bloody classic!!!!

[Brutuscz]

See the hosokai showa and marusho utsuri in my avatar... winner of best in size 1 and best utsuri size 1....$60 each. Bought on the same day, from the same tub. At the pioneer valley show...had some other competitors try to buy that showa from me...keep your money, this one's a winner!!!
As the eye develops...so does the ability to spot a great deal.

[Nancy M.]

Quote: Originally Posted by dubtaco OMG, sorry to have asked...I'm probably the only one this board that didn't know that, I'm feeling a little dumb at the moment...

Chris, no problem at all, no matter were you are in the hobby, $hit can happen. My husband dropped his cell phone in the pond that day, so off we went to go buy a new one. The next morning I went out back to have my morning cig, and found them all dead. It is just a reminder, that it can happen to anyone.

Just like a great koi can be found in a $18 tank, it does happen.