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

[111whalen]

I'm partial to 1 and 4. the beni on number 4 is very strong. Fish are so young, I'm not sure about the sashi. Also the shiro on the face-they should improve. All of these fish are very nice. Good luck with your choice.

[JosephandGabby]

For what it's worth, I'd pick #2 and #5. With #1 a close third...

[HEADACHE6]

I guess I know less then I thought . What the @&#% do people see in #2 ?

Number 1 if the body isn't as bad as the photo makes it look , then #4 .

Can't say any really jumps out at me .

#2 - YUCK !

[smithvillemike]

I'd go with 2 - 1 - 4

Mike

[luke frisbee]

I am only interested in #4 and #1.
in that order

[Lomaponder]

I'm beholden to #s 1-5.

Forget #3 it been "kissed"

[Shigure&HiUtsuri]

If you will notice the very small Hi spot on #3 at the base of the tail it may become a detriment to the quality of the koi because there is a decent chance that it will remain on the actual tail though it is right at the base. Hi on the tail in show quality kohaku is considered a negative.

Otherwise it does have an intriguing pattern, but with the tradition of Japanese judging #'s 1 & 2 are better.

Also I believe #1 has great body conformation, powerful, if this koi acquires great length it could be a formidable Kohaku.

Headache; "# 2 Yuck" what are you talking about? That is textbook Kohaku distinct 5 step pattern(rare) with great balance(even more rare in a 5 step pattern), and very sound body conformation.

[koiczar]

I'm surprised! I was looking at #4 as well, UNTIL I SAW THE SHIMI ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SECOND STEP!!!!! Don't tell me the rest of you missed THAT!?

Junichi

What do you know that the rest of us don't - #3 and #5 are much more yellow in comparision. Also, doesn't #5 have a torn dorsal fin? If the breeder/dealer is using "color food" then the coloring is understandable, but I would still question whether they are males or not due to this fact! So, what do you think?

Mike

[MikeM]

I do not think there is a shimmy. I think that is debris in the water, like what is seen in the container.

[esrisupa]

Yes, The bleeder feeds these fish with color enhancing food (Saki-Hiraki). I think that's why most of these fish got yellow looking.

It seems that #3 is the biggest fish among all however I agree with most of you that #2 got really that textbook look