How to choose a Tosai Ogon

[MikeM]

For 12"... look for same characteristics as in tosai. Shine, strong body, even scalation, well-shaped pectorals. Color should be light... more pale yellowish than bright yellow. The longer the Ogon can grow before the pigment intensifies the better. Some of Isumiya's best did not gain deep yellow pigment until over 5 years old and over 30". But, it should be kept in mind that as common as gold Ogon are, the really great ones are quite rare. The price difference between a very good Ogon and a super fine one is enormous... and it may come down to the relative perfection of scale alignment, the presence of a single speck of orange pigment, or a difference in body structure hardly noticeable to 95% of the people who see it. Think of the Gosanke as models wearing designer gowns... the height of style, but the gowns cover some imperfections. The Ogon is a model in body tights. Imperfections become glaring.

[koikid]

thanks, I am geting my ogon from brett i cant wait

[MikeM]

I suggest you tell Brett the size of your pond and ask him to pick the one he thinks best for your pond. Get a photo and post it here to share. ...The best choice for your pond is a different standard than what will be best to show in 5 years. No sense getting a female with a body that could reach 36" if your pond can only grow her to 24". A male may be best for your pond. Make sense?... I think you can rely on Brett to take care of you.


BTW, tell Brett he needs to drop by the Bito board more. It's been a while.

[koikid]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM I suggest you tell Brett the size of your pond and ask him to pick the one he thinks best for your pond. Get a photo and post it here to share. ...The best choice for your pond is a different standard than what will be best to show in 5 years. No sense getting a female with a body that could reach 36" if your pond can only grow her to 24". A male may be best for your pond. Make sense?... I think you can rely on Brett to take care of you. BTW, tell Brett he needs to drop by the Bito board more. It's been a while.

sure thing
and i onlt want my koi to grow to 24''

[aquitori]

Selection of Ogon tosai pointers wrap up:

1. Selecting one with clean even coloration.
a. Any specks of orange on the base color will mean more will come up
and is a sign of poor quality.
b. The head must be clean and free of any marks

2. Select in natural light, to check Hikari(metallic sheen) eveness

3. If regular Ogon check the alignment of the scales

4. If Gin Rin Ogon the Gin Rin must be all facing the same direction
a. Gin Rin must be atleast 3 rows on both sides of the fish to be
considered Gin Rin.

5. If you can handle the fish check for DEFORMATIES!!!!

6. Select the shade of Ogon you want for future.
a. Off white to pale yellow will give you a cream yellow
b. medium shade of yellow will give you a darker yellow

7. Conformation and bodyline, there are many pics of champion Ogons out
there to study Conformation and bodyline so study it. Better yet buy a
a few to study this portion of selection.

[weesec01]

Thanks aquitori, you have wrap up most of the points on how to select a good ogon as discuss here. It is a very good thread to learn, I did. We all agreed that ultimately pond size and water quality are the keys factor to grow a good genetic koi with good body conformation.

Thanks guys for sharing your experience.

[s2chang]

You seem to know Brett well. How would you rate his hand-selected grade Ogon against a similar grade from Niigata? Any other commends regarding the difference of old style/ new style are greatly appreciated. stevec

[MikeM]

I do not know Brett well. I know about Brett from people I trust.


I have tried to locate photos for proper comparison of "old style" Ogon and contemporary Ogon. I've not been able to put much time into the search. Best I can do is suggest comparing the bodies of the gold Ogon, the Platinums and the Yamabuki below. The gold Ogon was the 1975 All Japan best of variety in its size, which was just 66cm. (This is a photo of the show photo from the show book. So, excuse the glare.) The Purachina are from the 2002 Choguro harvest. The Yamabuki is from Yagozen's 2005 harvest. The 1975 Ogon has a carefree body, not unlike what you would expect to see in a big green chagoi today. The 21st Century Purachina and Yamabuki, however, are quite different. Their bodies are more like .... well, what do you think those bodies are like?

[Richard Rombold]

I was able to find some time last week to take some pictures. Sorry for the long delay. I only have a few of the larger yamabuki left from last year and this was probably the nicest of the remaining girls. It's Dick's if he wants, but it's not for sale. She is representative of our ogons. I think we do a better job with the yamabuki than the platinums. My platinums all have roots back to yamabuki, and some may have a yellow tinge. I haven't spawned any this year, and probably won't again unless I can get better bloodlines.

[Fukarin]

I'm very happy with this thread, to read about how you pick a good Yamabuki. I think is as difficult a to pick a good Go Sanke.

We purachassed a Yamabuki in November 2006 by our dealer, she is from the auction of oktober 2006. And DOB is june 2004.He purchassed 3 Yambuki en we choose the lichtest one, and the best in our eyes bone structure and fukarin on the scales. We picked her up in april 2007 and she messures now 65 cm. Her yellow colour begins now ligthly to colour. And I hope it takes a long time when she will ready with the yellow colour.I hope she will not get to orange, thats why we choose the lighest one. The first photo is from november 2006 and the other 2 from april 2007. The body is now slightly better She looks slim on these photos

What do you think of her?

gr,
Fukarin