Please help me select these koi !!! I'm Newbie

[esrisupa]

I'm a newbie so please help me select 2 out of these 5 koi ... Please

[Brutuscz]

Welcome to the board!!! Who is the breeder and what size are they? I like #2, #1...in that order.

[The Pond Digger]

In my opinion, fish one and two are more text book Kohaku. I feel the odome on fish one and two have nice balance with the first HI plate on their heads. Their HI plates are broken nicely and seem to be more stout than fish three, four and five, which would hopefully be tell tale signs of females.

On a different note fish three has an very interesting pattern on the nose which makes the fish very appealing. It would certainly be a nice addition to anyone's pond.

I like fish number Two the best. Number Three - Second. Number One - Third.

Which fish moves you and why? I am curious to know more about the background on the fish and how you narrowed things down to these five.

How much are you spending on each?

The Pond Digger Grow Out Stats


The Pond Digger

[Shigure&HiUtsuri]

#1 and #2 hands down. Better bodies better patterns. So much better that multiple breeders do not even need to be considered.

[esrisupa]

Thanks you all your comments and more comments are welcome.
Actually, i'm staying in Thailand therefore, the breeder is local breeder in Thailand. Fish #2 costs about $240 while #1 costs about $100 #3 costs 190

[Eugeneg]

Quote: Originally Posted by esrisupa Thanks you all your comments and more comments are welcome. Actually, i'm staying in Thailand therefore, the breeder is local breeder in Thailand. Fish #2 costs about $240 while #1 costs about $100 #3 costs 190

They are all nice looking fish and price does not seem out of the way so you being there can make the best selection . I t depends what you are looking for as often you have to pay a lot more just for size . What is the size of the fish ,how old are they , what are the parents and bloodlines ,size of parents . Price of fish where you live in comparison and your transportation costs . Price on all the fish as for the trouble of handling raise all and then sell ones you do not want . Your experience in keeping fish and your pond . Are you planning on showing them
All are part of your decision and it is you who is going to look at them for 20 years .
Regards
Eugene

[Sangreaal]

#2 is my favorite, hands down. I can't even look at the others as they just can't compare. Good conformation, priceless pattern. Who is the breeder?

[MikeM]

Photos are always a challenge. I am guessing these are tosai based on the measuring markers. When it comes to purchasing tosai, I'm looking for negatives that may reduce the beauty of the fish over a period of years. This is not the approach for judging them. I assume all have an issue or they would not be for sale. My thoughts for you to consider when looking at them in person.

#1 Clean white. Body unbalanced... could be the angle of the photo.

#2 Yellow head, yellow at base of dorsal. I'd want to know if this trait disappears on this line as they grow. If not, I'd avoid it. Great pattern.

#3 Yellow head and yellow in the fins. I'd avoid it. See #2. But, I like the body for future growth. Not so sure the pattern will hold or be as interesting.

#4 Acceptable white; sashi uneven.

#5 Yellow head and yellow at base of dorsal. See #2.

So, I'd be trying to select from #1 and #4, unless I knew that at this stage this Breeder's Kohaku tend to be yellowish and that it clears up. In person, they could look quite different. All seem too red for their size... could be the red-enhancing magic of photos.

There is a natural tendency to assume that the better koi is the more costly one. While this may be generally true, I think you have to know the breeder/dealer before assuming this. (Just look at Ebay.) The pricing may only reflect what the seller believes he can get on the day, which emphasizes the current level of finish and pattern, not the future of the fish. Young fish in Japan that have been selected to be sold are sorted into grades, and priced according to the grade. Relatively few are individually priced by the breeder. This is an artificial grouping for commercial convenience. The hobbyist hopes to get the one in the highest grade the hobbyist can afford that just missed the line of being in the higher grade the hobbyist cannot afford. For most Japanese breeders, the best tosai are not available until March/April/May ... the tosai held back as potentially going back in the mud for a second year, but not making the cut when the breeder made his final selection of 'keepers'. Now, I'm just rambling... I do not know the practice in Thailand nor of the breeder of these Kohaku.

[PapaBear]

We have another member from your part of the world (TOR) who has had very good luck with some locally bred Koi. You might want to make his acquaintance and find out where he gets his...
Check out this thread;
my new fish for 2006

Very impressive results with Thai Koi.

BTW, 1,2,4 are the ony ones that appeal to me for long term potential.

[Super Kindai]

I would pick #3 and #5 ........