Would you buy this Kohaku

[Erns]

I'm very intrested in this kohaku. It's female, from Hasegawa, 36cm, nissai and $850. Would you take the gamble?

[Erns]

My bad. It's actually still a tosai...

[ppp]

Hi Erns, I'm certainly no expert at all, but my first impression was that its hi quality is really fantasic for a female! It would be good to make sure there's a GUARANTEE on sex. Shiroji is also very good.

Not easy to assess the body structure from a side view photo, but I think a small negative would be the little bit of hi on the pectoral(s). Pattern looks decently balanced, with a nice odome.

The koi looks pretty finished for such a small fish, and I think it'd be a good bet for shows at this size.


Still wondering if it's a male.....looks suspiciously so.

[Erns]

I won't take it unless there is a guarentee on the sex... Quite pricy for a tosai.

RE. red on the base of the pec. This is called Motoaka. It is a sign of very high quality hi and should grow out as the koi gets older. (Kokugyo, Volume 2, pg 12..my koi bible!)

[KoiCop]

Erns . . .

Very nice koi. Would like to see a tradional top view pic, if possible?

On a side note (since I've heard different reference motoaka), let's see how many folks agree:

1. That motoaka is a sign of very high quality hi?
2. That motoaka should grow out as the koi gets older?

(Bonus points for experience. )

[Erns]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop Erns . . . Very nice koi. Would like to see a tradional top view pic, if possible? On a side note (since I've heard different reference motoaka), let's see how many folks agree: 1. That motoaka is a sign of very high quality hi? 2. That motoaka should grow out as the koi gets older? (Bonus points for experience. )

Nothing beats experience so it will be nice to hear! I hope to get a top view pic by tomorrow before I make my decision.

I've got another question. What is the possibility that a kohaku from a pure line like Hasegawa(read May/June Koi USA) can develop shimmies? Is this really water hardness related or does it usually happen to kohaku from a Sanke spawning??

[PapaBear]

It is a temptress, isn't it... The Beni and Shiroji both look good, Sashi depth adequate, Kiwa is clean and solid, and from this photo it at least appears that the pattern balance will be there when the fish has grown out. I'd really like to see this one swimming.

[Steve Nguyen]

in addition to what already mentioned by others, from this photo, the tail section seems to be thin. if top view photo confirm this, I would think this is a major weakness for female as it grows bigger the body confirmation would not be proportional. I am not an expert so take this with a grain of salt.

Steve

[JosephandGabby]

Would I buy this kohaku? Maybe, but not at $850. IMHO you can do better for that price...

[koiczar]

Erns

I too would like to see a straight down top view of this fish before making too many comments. It's already been mentioned that the beni and shiroji both look nice. sashikome and kiwa are looking more like a fish closer to finishing than one on the way up.

Hasegawa has some very nice fish. Yes it's pure bloodline, no sanke blood as he doesn't breed any. I was at his place in 2001. His best stuff was in the greenhouse. The rest was in a garden pond in his garden. Man, were they packed in like sardines!

Shimis can occur even on the best bloodline kohakus. Depends on how much melanine is in the genetics traits and the reaction to hard water within a particular pond.

Motoaka, as far as what I have been taught, refers mainly to varieties that are SUPPOSED TO HAVE IT, such as Asagi, shusui, etc. There is a fair amount visible in this photo on the pec, but if the fish was able to attain a size of say, 28-30", the beni might "tighten up" and the girth of the fish at that size may compensate for it as it would be tucked under the body frame a bit more as well. Yes, I've heard that it is supposed to be a sign of high quality beni, but I wonder how much of that kind of stuff we're told as a way to sell otherwise lesser quality fish for a higher price!?!?!?

Mike