Hoshikin Jumbo Kohaku Tosai

[Russell Peters]

A few days after we put the Hoshikin Kohaku into quarantine they came down with a bacterial infection the likes of which we had never seen before. Everything we tried did not work to stop it. I e-mailed Torazo some pictures and he said that he had not seen anything like it either. They were loosing scales and flesh at a pretty fast pace. It was as if it was dissolving. Just touching the Koi would cause scales to come off. After e-mailing Hosokai they responded by overnighting us some medication and instructions on what to do.

Once the medication, salt and heat were correct the infection looked as if it was stopping. After a couple of days the Koi were swimming around again and a few days later they began to eat. After a few more days they were eating like pigs. It was a great sight to see. When I would walk up with food they would swarm and jump over each other to get the food. After informing Torazo and Hosokai of the progress I got an e-mail from Torazo saying that he spoke with Hoshikin and Hoshikin decided he wanted to pick 20 more Jumbe Tosai for me and grow them out in a mud pond until the fall harvest. I am really looking forward to October.

The sad news is that I had to put 20 of them down. They had lost so many scales and seemed to just be suffering. After four weeks more of treatment and quarantine, in a seperate system, we decided to add other Koi with them. We put in some Matsunosuke Koi we had for about six months. After three more weeks all of the Koi were doing very, very well. Until this point we just left them alone, doing only water changes and filter cleanings. We did not want to disturb them or stress them out in any way. This weekend I decided to tub a few and take some pictures.

Here are a couple of pictures in a tub.

[Russell Peters]

This two step has always been a favorite of mine.

[Russell Peters]

I had quite a few four steps, but this is the only one that survived.

[Russell Peters]

This would look nice on 30".

[Russell Peters]

Here is a nice simple pattern.

[Russell Peters]

This is my favorite two step. It has the deepest beni, of all the Hoshikins, and is very tall and wide at the shoulder.

[Russell Peters]

I ran out of time today and didn't take any more pictures.

[dick benbow]

Thanks for the effort to post. I always love to see the pictures. These koi are really beautiful and i could understand your excitement to think 20 of them are growing and getting even better as i type.......I also appreciate the honesty that stuff happens to everyone, experienced keepers and dealers. I hope on some future trips to japan you'll be able to have that med on hand just in case. really helps to have personal relationships with the folks that can help when you need it!

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow Thanks for the effort to post. I always love to see the pictures. These koi are really beautiful and i could understand your excitement to think 20 of them are growing and getting even better as i type.......I also appreciate the honesty that stuff happens to everyone, experienced keepers and dealers. I hope on some future trips to japan you'll be able to have that med on hand just in case. really helps to have personal relationships with the folks that can help when you need it!

Yes, we are lucky that we have the relationships we do in Japan. I think that if we did not have them all of the Hoshikins would be gone. Miwa and Toshio have been teaching us about treatment as well and they have been supplying us with medications as well.

[MikeM]

Have you figured out what it was and what medication was provided?