question about this sanke

[Ethan25]

It took me a while to figure out that this was a sanke. Initially, I assumed that it was a showa since it had mostly black instead of red, but then I learned that black needs to be considered the base color. A friend commented that it would be considered a Mauretan Sanke....which makes sense, less the small speck of red on the back. Was wondering about whether this fish would gain more sumi, or if you thought this was going to be the pattern. It is around 13" long, and is one of the two true japanese koi that I own. I don't have any pictures of the fish as a yearling....it is now 2 years old....but it looked mostly the same. Very little change so far. To me, the body conformation looks pretty solid along with the fins and color. It probably has the most crisp lines of any fish I own.
Thoughts?

[CarolinaGirl]

My guess is showa based on the amount of sumi on the head. The sumi also looks more like it is in bands (showa) rather than blotches (sanke). I am still learning too though.....so don't take my word for it!!

[dubtaco]

Hi Ethan,

Calling it a Maruten Sanke is a stretch, you should enjoy it privately in your pond.

Here is an example of a Maruten Sanke, which is available from one of the paying advertisers on bito! (http://www.pskoi.com/)

[CarolinaGirl]

Also, the term "Maruten" means the koi has hi elsewhere on the body, but also a round tancho spot on it's head. Maurten would not be applicable in this case because the hi on the head is way more than a tancho spot.

[dick benbow]

I think we can all agree that it's a boy!

[Ethan25]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow I think we can all agree that it's a boy!

What are your thoughts? Sanke or Showa? if it is a showa, is there the potential for more sumi to rise, or would you have to know the breeder for a question like that? I do want to find out, but since I bought it a year ago before I had any interest in breeders, I may have a hard time finding out.

Ethan

[CarolinaGirl]

It wouldn't matter if more sumi rose or not. A showa needs to be balanced from one end to the other. Hi on one end (head) and none on the back end is inbalanced. I have a beautiful showa at home. Her front half is as perfect as you would ever want to see in a showa. unfortunatly she has no hi in her back end. Lots of lovely sumi.....but no hi. She is a beautiful pond fish, but will never do well in a show. This picture was taken last summer. she has bulked up quite a bit since then.

[KoiCop]

your koi has sanke patterned sumi (not showa sumi). It also has sanke type tejima in the fins, not showa type motoguru.

There is additional sumi visable below the skin; whether it will surface or not is anybody's guess.

Since this is a pond grade koi of indeterminate origin, predictions would be risky at best.

As always,

[Ethan25]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop your koi has sanke patterned sumi (not showa sumi). It also has sanke type tejima in the fins, not showa type motoguru. There is additional sumi visable below the skin; whether it will surface or not is anybody's guess. Since this is a pond grade koi of indeterminate origin, predictions would be risky at best. As always,

Thanks Don, appreciate it. That makes sense.

[Ethan25]

Quote: Originally Posted by CarolinaGirl It wouldn't matter if more sumi rose or not. A showa needs to be balanced from one end to the other. Hi on one end (head) and none on the back end is inbalanced. I have a beautiful showa at home. Her front half is as perfect as you would ever want to see in a showa. unfortunatly she has no hi in her back end. Lots of lovely sumi.....but no hi. She is a beautiful pond fish, but will never do well in a show. This picture was taken last summer. she has bulked up quite a bit since then.

She is a pretty pond fish. I see what you mean about inbalanced....

thanks!

Ethan