Sakai koi in Canada . . .

[diamond*girl]

I am new to koi and am going to add a few this spring to my collection of two . . .
In BC, Canada there are import issues involving permits and inspections which I want to avoid, so I have been seeking quality fish locally.

I have found a dealer on Vancouver Is. who carries koi from Sakai Fish Farm, Hiroshima, which are in quarantine now and will be available in early March, so I won't be able to see any examples till then. THis dealer claims to import and sell a couple thousand koi a year.

My questions are: What can I expect from Sakai farms in terms of quality. Do they basically send their culls or lesser quality fish to smaller dealers like this? Are there particular qualities to look for from this breeder?

Can I get some general guidelines for choosing young fish (6"-10"), please. I would like an all male pond (don't scoff! ) I am not interested in showing or breeding, just want beautiful fish without the extra problems spawning creates, so any tips on predicting male fish would be welcome.

Thanks so much for your advice.

[mstrseed]

Quote: Originally Posted by diamond*girl I would like an all male pond (don't scoff! ) Women............. I am not interested in showing or breeding, just want beautiful fish without the extra problems spawning creates, so any tips on predicting male fish would be welcome. Thanks so much for your advice.

Just choose the ones which please you, have the dealer help you pick out males. Generally speaking males are thinner than females, not always though.

[KoiCop]

Hello dg . . .

There are many, many threads here on K-B with detailed discussions on choosing young koi; the same goes for sexing koi.

You can always use the search function to find a couple of the most recent ones, and then ask followup questions. These are complex issues and lots of study will be required to master them.

For starters, here's one on sexing koi:

http://www.koi-bito.com/forum/general-koi-forum/6495-future-koi.html

And here's one on choosing tosai:

seminar topic choices

[diamond*girl]

OK Thanks. I will read those.
Any thoughts on my other questions?

Quote: Originally Posted by diamond*girl My questions are: What can I expect from Sakai farms in terms of quality. Do they basically send their culls or lesser quality fish to smaller dealers like this? Are there particular qualities to look for from this breeder?

mstrseed - I said no scoffing!!!

[MikeM]

I think you are making a thoughtful choice. Many who keep koi should focus on having only males... more suitable to their pond size, fewer health issues, less expensive, etc.

[MatsubaGoi]

Hello Diamond girl, I have 2 koi from Sakai of Hiroshima, a Inazuma Kohaku and Ginrin Aka Sanke, both are very beautiful. i imported them from Pan Intercorp in washington state as they have very close relations with Sakai. Importing for me was not a problem and actually got the permitts very quickly after first inspection was a good to go. As for quality of fish, i think its up to the dealer and what hes willing to spend on bring good quality fish in. i just spent a little extra on buying good quality koi. As for males, its hard to know if they are males or not if they are not mature yet, but males are generally slimer that females.
and how is this deal you speak of that bring in sakai koi?

hope this helped you,

[diamond*girl]

I answered my own question when I went back to the dealer after their first shipment of koi in the spring. Basically culls, I'm sure. Even I, a rank newbie, could tell that the quality of these Sakai fish was sub-par.

I would describe them as below pond grade - speckledegoi mutts!

Back to the hunt!

[gcuss]

Quote: Originally Posted by diamond*girl I answered my own question when I went back to the dealer after their first shipment of koi in the spring. Basically culls, I'm sure. Even I, a rank newbie, could tell that the quality of these Sakai fish was sub-par. I would describe them as below pond grade - speckledegoi mutts! Back to the hunt!

Are you saying that Pan Intercorp only has mutts?

Grant

[MikeM]

No, D*G was discussing a dealer on Vancouver Is.

[MatsubaGoi]

pan intercorp's koi are awesome, never had a problem with them