| You asked for what is wrong with them, but let's start with the fact that they are cheerful and bright colored. If you are in an area where water temperatures are cool or moderate most of the summer, I think you will enjoy the additions to your pond this summer. The problems are with the longer term. The red of the Showa is uneven, with windows on the lighter one. I think you will see the red fading or breaking up, particularly in warm water with rapid growth. The Hi Utsuri has a nice pattern. This variety is prone to becoming speckled with small spots of black. There are signs that the specks are starting to show. The red base color of the Utsuri looks OK. When I began getting serious about koi, I got a tosai Hi Utsuri. I really liked the look and the few speckles did not bother me much then. She did not grow much, so after two years I gave her to a friend. He had her for several years, and then gave her to a club member looking to upgrade from petshop koi. About 3 (?) years ago we had a club meeting at the fellow's house. He did not have a very good pond for koi. It is more a garden feature. That Hi Utsuri was still there and stood out as the queen of the pond, although no more than 16" long.... a good size for the pond. She was the favorite of her owners. I have not been back, but have been told that she is still going strong, although her rooting in a tub of waterlillies has caused her owner to start thinking that she may be too big for what they want in a pond. Still, they cannot bring themselves to pass her along to another home. When I think about all the koi I've passed along to others, I end up thinking of that Hi Utsuri. Folks get pleasure from their koi in different ways. Enjoy, learn and spread the fun if the time comes that one does not suit you any longer. | 
02-16-2008
. Keep us updated on how they develop.
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