Should I show this Kujaku??

[Erns]

I almost gave up on this kujaku and suddenly today I am wondering about her? She is 3 years old and at 60cm. Should I go to the trouble and take her to our show in May or not? Just testing the waters thank you!

[JasPR]

Well that would depend on what you are showing for? If you are going to win a trophy then I think the fish is very competitive and unless something grander shows up, you should do fine ( don't know what your local competition is like).
If you are going as a koi student trying to learn more about koi in general, definitely bring it! The opportunity to compare your koi ( that you seem quite happy with now) to other kujaku will give you a real sense of just how good your kujaku is-- but more importantly, WHY it is better than other kujaku.
In that day of looking at your fish and the other fish of that variety, you will get more knowledge than you will get in a month on these internet boards or EVER by looking at pictures.
There is something about the human brain and comparing these fish LIVE that advances ones eye to a higher level- like no other form of education.

-----a note about kujaku. They come in many 'looks' and forms, depending on the background and breeding ( kohaku X kujaku, kujaku X kujaku etc) but no matter how nice and clean a kujaku is, if it has low luster or is non metallic at the 'five points' then it can not win in a koi show. 'Teri' or shine, is the most important feature of any kujaku, then cleaness and then pattern.

[Erns]

Thank you. I think this is very good advice.
What about the matsuba scalation? To heavy or is it ok? I'm a student as well as a serious competitor! Most of the kujaku I see whinning in Japan has a heavy hi plate, not much of a pattern like kohaku, especially in the larger groups? Why is this?

[JasPR]

It is actually clean for the type of ticking, that it is - circular as opposed to black edging. This is acceptable but as you know has a tendency to get 'dirty' looking with age. But your's looks great! It is just a 'type' of what used to be called ornamental borders on the scales matsuba,asagi and goromo. So it needs to be viewed and assessed that way. In your case, it is an excellent example for it's size of that type of scale.
Some of this will come down to the level of sophistication of your judges. I think the ZNA judges down there are pretty good! But subjectivity, these days will have many biting for the kohaku mixed kujaku with the white skin and red beni. That you can't control or predict. In your size group however, some of the flashier kohaku mixes tend to loose luster as they age and you may still have an advantage- you can never tell? JR

[Brutuscz]

Nice full body!!! Excellent head pattern. The only thing I see is the heavy matsuba...but Doesn't bother me one bit. Definitely show her!!! Beautiful fish!!

[bekko]

Conformation before pattern. Thin peduncle.

-ste

[JasPR]

Steve, nothing at all wrong with that body. The angle and eggs make the illusion you see.. I'm sure if Erns could get a shot of the fish in a more 'head on' pose you would be reassured. The tail fin looks nice and wide from this shot- and strong. If the tail is/was weak, you would likely see a smaller span on the tail fin and a hanging type position to the entire tail section.
In koi judging we make allowances for egg mass within reason. On one hand it IS a beauty contest and 'Miss America' should not be strutting her stuff 7 months pregnant! On the other hand, based on time of year and age of fish, allowances must be made.
Erns, you are heading into your 'winter' season soon yes? How cold does it get where you are at the maximum point?

As you know Steve, the first two years of a koi's life, the bone stucture is layed down. We get growth in the form of length. Ern's did a good job as the size of 60 cm is good for a three year old. But the same feeding efforts that brought 'growth in length' will now backfire if kept up. Because at this age, the fish will begin to experience a new kind of growth- 'growth in mass, growth in reproductive organs'. So the throttle needs to be pulled back here a little or the eggs will distend the lower body. You want the girth, to a point, but not the fluids and distended belly.
I feed pretty heavily in summer. Maybe five times a day/night. And I step up the protein ( 38% ish). But I only feed 6 days a week.
Here is a typical body on two of my fish-

[bekko]

The width at the pectorals is 2.5 times the width at the caudal peduncle on your sanke, James. The width at the pectorals is 3.2 times the width at the caudal peduncle on the kujaku. No offense Ems, but I still say thin peduncle.

-steve

[Erns]

None taken. I was about to give her to a local breeder to include in his breeding program, did not think she would ever show as the matsuba was very heavy but now the water is cooling and the matsuba is getting lighter...I know...weird!!

THe coldest I get my water in winter is about 14 degrees celsius, so not very cold. I don't understand why she is full of eggs right now but a buddy has the same thing with some of his females??..weird again!