Development of my showa and utsuri

[Brutuscz]

I figured it was time to photograph my koi and evaluate...Gotta love spring!!
The showa is from Hosokai...went from 4 inches to 8.5 inches.
The Utsuri is from Marusho..went from 4 inches to 9 inches.
Opinions are welcome...so, let me know what you like and don't like.

[Erns]

I like the showa as it is a kindai! Sumi have developed really nice. It's a kind of 'show me what you can do' sumi and it going to do a lot. Showa is a bit leaner than before but lets write that down to winter. Monteguro is improving very well. Tail section is a bit thin but again, let her swim and eat this summer and that should come around too. You still have all 3 colours on the head at this stage and to me that is something I appreciate about showa.

Shiro also improved both sumi and shiro. Head pattern has come together as well! Body has bulked a little which has given her stature. I don't like the 'handle' on the tail section but I have plenty of experience with this and with a deep pond and plenty of current you can improve this to the point where it's almost not something that will catch the eye.

[Eugeneg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brutuscz I figured it was time to photograph my koi and evaluate...Gotta love spring!! The showa is from Hosokai...went from 4 inches to 8.5 inches. The Utsuri is from Marusho..went from 4 inches to 9 inches. Opinions are welcome...so, let me know what you like and don't like.

I like them all nice looking fish now if you can put them in a mud pond with the same size fish would be a big help . Then let them winter in a heated pond . Again in a mud pond next year with same size fish before putting them in a regular pond . I did this and the results were amazing it is my opinion that the full potential of young fish is never reached in our garden ponds alone .
Regards
Eugene

[paladin_k2]

I second the obesrvations that both fish are showing distinct improvements in sumi placement quantity and quality. The head markings on both fish have filled in well.

I cannot quite see on the showa if there might be any emerging sumi bands lower down on the right side of the fish. the one existing patch back the tail and the one dot up above the pectoral will have to go a long way to balance out the sumi that exists and is expanding on the left side. This fish appears at first glance to be a male just based on the developing body shape but it is too early to be sure of that alone at just under 9 inches.

I like the emerging sumi pattern on the shiro. It will be fun to see if that shadowy area extending from the sumi above the right side anal fin epands and wraps up to be a distinctive complimentray mark. The head band had filled in nicely but it would be even better if it continued to add width for a more powerful expression.

What is your water pH and hardness?? Mine tends to be alkaline and soft and really favors sumi development. I see lots of improvement in sumi on my utsuris of all colors once they have arrived and spent 3 to 6 months in my my ponds. Just wondering if your water conditions contrinute in particular to the development of either sumi or hi or both?

[MikeM]

Sumi seems to be maturing at a small size. You could have a contender in Size 1. It will be interesting what happens as the warmth of the season speeds their growth. I'm wondering if it would be best to avoid high protein foods to keep growth from being too rapid. Maybe some of our more experienced kichi can comment on the concept of controlling growth rates to match the fish?

[Brutuscz]

Mike...since my pond is a black liner, the sumi always seems to come up fast. The current food I am using is the new blackwater creek gold. 40% protein formula. It is new to me, so I don't know what to expect. Last season I used Dainichi growth formula. I would be curious to know what others think about controlling growth rates in these koi. Is it advisable?