from tosai to nisai - changes in 13 months

[Steve Nguyen]

correct me if I am wrong but I think this fish called kawarimono. I bought it on July 2006 from local dealer. it was 6 inches then. it's now 15 inches. my kids and wife wanted some sparkling in the pond so I got this gin grin. to my untrained eyes, I thought I bought a gin grin chagoi then but it's not the case. I didn't even notice the fins were small then until now. it's a good learning lesson.
the upside is that this fish can put on some length in such of short time. I hope it continue to grow at this growth rate. I like its look too. I plan to keep this fish so don't hold back on your opinions. let me know what you think.

Steve

[MikeM]

You have a gin rin Soragoi in progress.

It is an Ochiba Shigure which is losing its 'Hi'. I am interested in having a true blue-gray Soragoi. DickB has advised that the best way is to find an Ochiba that loses its pattern. You may have 'my fish'! Enjoy.

[Steve Nguyen]

thanks, Mike! I would never guess it's a Soragoi since Soragoi has solid blue/grey scales. I really like this fish. can't complain for a $20 purchase.

Steve

[Lam Nguyen]

Very nice soragoi, Steve. Looking at the koi as a tosai I would never have guessed that it was an ochiba shigure. Amazing how much it has changed, not just in conformation but also in the 'hi' pattern and thickness. What amazes me even more is the size that it has grown over 13 months, esp for a ginrin koi.

MikeM, do you think that it will lose ALL of its 'hi' and become a truly blue soragoi? Cuz if it does then it will be a very interesting koi.

[MikeM]

I cannot predict the future, but I think there is a pretty good chance. The 'Hi' has faded areas throughout. If it keeps any of the rust pattern, it will be labeled as Ochiba. Wouldn't it be interesting if all the color faded, except in the pectorals? ...let's hope the pectorals improve with time.


For $20, how could you go wrong? ...Well, wasted time and space, perhaps; but the changing of this fish gives an education in itself.

[Steve Nguyen]

I would love to have an Ochiba as long as its color doesn't turn into root beer like. the more changes, the more interesting to watch and learn. I think the learning itself is well worth the time and effort for me.

Steve

[koiczar]

Hi Steve

Looking closely at the first picture you posted when tosai, you can see blue-grey scales among the dark brown ones on the lateral areas of the fish and also the pecs were showing signs this. Personally, I don't believe the fish is fading as much as MikeM believes. Again, the pecs are kinda the stabilizing factor for the hi in this fish. Granted, the fish is going to lose some hi, but how much will be the determining factor. I think it will still be a very nice GR Ochiba for a few years. I think it's $20 well spent on the learning experience alone!

Mike

[PapaBear]

We had one very similar to this last year and it did pretty much the same thing as yours. Yours looks to have a better chance at retaining an Ochiba pattern for a few years.