new to forum and have question about koi age

[weesec01]

Emm..This is going to be an interesting topic to discuss. We, Koi hobbyists tends to be more forecast on how to select a show koi, and grow them fast with high protein, bust them to the maximum beauty in colour "complete" by max spirulina but we, sometime may over look that by doning that their healths have been affected, internal organ deform ...etc as a result, their life span shorter.

It will be interesting to know whose among us have the oldest koi in their pond? Is anyone wish to share with the members here. I only started this hobbyist seriously 1 year ago, so mine is just over 1 year nothing great to be mentioned. So far, no problem of diseases. Not even once...touch wood....

[MikeM]

My eldest is a home-bred Hariwake now in her 14th year.

[weesec01]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM My eldest is a home-bred Hariwake now in her 14th year.

Good job, MikeM. Interesting to see her picture. Thanks.

[Fishy Mama]

Dan, I have searched many boards and haven't found posts with people discussing 'mature' koi. Usually the koi being discussed are show fish that are under 7 years old. I am curious what show people do with their show fish when they retire them from shows.

I am also curious how long different varieties hold their beauty. I do not show, altho I do love koi appreciation. My pet fish are kept because of my personal view of beauty. I appreciate the fact that no one commented on Hirohito's looks. Over the years she has had more and more sumi rise and her german scales have darkened. At one time the rising sun hi was clean. Then sumi came up under it. The sumi has stayed and the hi comes and goes. She is a much loved pet.

I currently have a 7 year old shiro utsuri who just this year has lost all his surface sumi. He is male, about 21 inches, and is American (bred by Hunting Creek in Maryland). He still has a lot of deep sumi, do I have a chance of his deep sumi surfacing? Will it take 7 years to return?

[PapaBear]

I think an old matron is to be admired differently than a younger show Koi just as Miss America is seen by a different standard than an elegant 60+ yr old family Matriarch. Not the same, but the elder matron is appreciated with a different level of respect.
My experience is too limited to speak with authority on the subject, but I'll toss in what little I do know. I've observed several "former" show Koi sold at auction for a fraction of their former value dollar-wise. I know of one that recently went to a new home where she is MUCH loved and well kept, not because of any future in shows, but simply because her former beauty is well remembered making her the queen of her new realm.

[weesec01]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fishy Mama I am also curious how long different varieties hold their beauty. I do not show, altho I do love koi appreciation. My pet fish are kept because of my personal view of beauty. I appreciate the fact that no one commented on Hirohito's looks. Over the years she has had more and more sumi rise and her german scales have darkened. At one time the rising sun hi was clean. Then sumi came up under it. The sumi has stayed and the hi comes and goes. She is a much loved pet. I currently have a 7 year old shiro utsuri who just this year has lost all his surface sumi. He is male, about 21 inches, and is American (bred by Hunting Creek in Maryland). He still has a lot of deep sumi, do I have a chance of his deep sumi surfacing? Will it take 7 years to return?

Hi Fishy Mama, I think papabear has given a very good explanation on your queries.

I hope I can give my best knowledge for opinion here . High water temperature does play an importance role in dissapearing hi but never heard about sumi. Sometime, the koi must have gone thru a very stress period for some reason and lost the Hi. If the hi lost due to stress, I doubt if the Hi will recover. I have heard of showa lose its hi but not all. There was still remnants of hi, under a proper care by the owner and the hi did recover. But that could be once in the blue moon. Seldom heard of sumi lost unless secondary sumi and it will hardly return. Some expert here should be able to advise you.

[koiczar]

I have a 10 year old shiro bekko that has been a family pet since I got her in 1999. She was a beauty queen within her variety for 4 years winning 1st place twice and best in either size or variety twice. Her sumi was very shiny and thick when she was younger. It is still there but the density within the patterns has diminished greatly over the past two years. I would move her on but I would probably have to go with her as the rest of the family would not tolerate that decision.

Sumi will recede with age, especially with males, as they tend to fade much sooner than the girls. It usually will not return to it's former beauty as it isn't always water quality related, just age.

Mike