Ake Nisai Hosokai Showa

[Lam Nguyen]

I am in the process of thinning down my herd and would like feedback on these two ake nisai Hosokai showa. To be honest I don't think that any of these have great potentials but I would like to keep one for a couple more years just as a study subject. If you were to have a choice which one would you keep and why? They were both purchased at the same time last fall. The kindai showa is 11.25" while the traditional showa is 10.75". Your guys' feedback is much appreciated.

[farne230]

I believe the Kinda has some more surpises, the old fasion show is well balanced, sumi may or may not thicken, I like the straight bone structure and body shape of each one, I believe they both have good potential without knowing who was the breeder.
Bob

[MikeM]

Personally, I'd keep the kindai. I like how the sumi looks along the edge of its left gill plate. The risk is that the pattern is too attractive. You may not want to pass it on if development is not good.

[dick benbow]

I like the body shape of the new style and I'm concerned about the uniformity of beni depth in the old style on it's right shoulder.

[Bob Winkler]

Nice pictures and poses.... But they look a little washed out...are the colors shown "true"?

[Lam Nguyen]

Thank you all for the responses. I was kind of leaning towards the kindai showa myself, too! I am still a rook in that I am a sucker for patterns and symmetry.

Dick, you brought up a very good point about the beni not being uniform on the traditional showa. I am afraid that the beni might not hold up as the koi ages. What do you think? I am curious as to what will happen as the koi grows over the years.

Bob W., that is my greatest concern! I did not alter these pictures in any way other than to crop and resize them in Adobe. I also had to fill in the background color in the upper left corner of the traditional showa's image because it was the edge of the measuring tub. But the image of the koi were not altered in any way. In fact, I noticed that the colors seem to be washed out too when I tubbed them. They were definitely not like this when I purchased them last fall. What do you guys think seem to be causing this? I am all for learning so any feedback is much appreciated!

[KoiCop]

Lam . . .

Love the kindai. And I wouldn't be in a hurry to get rid of either of them. Sit back and enjoy the journey.

[gspotmc]

Lam,
I think you should consider the kindai showa.

[Bob Winkler]

If the picture is true, then to me they are very similar in most respects. Much to worry about with both of them pattern and skin wise. I wonder about the water parameters they are in and any water or other treatments to the pond. One example...Ever use baking soda? Do all the koi in the pond have a similar "washed out" appearance?

If a choice must be made between these two, I agree with the crowd.. the kindai. But then I have always like Kindai showas better, and you add kuchibeni on top of that....of course I would pick this kindai.

[koiczar]

Lam

I too would select the Kindai Showa. Reasons are: Better body line for growth, nice white and while the beni is a bit weak, it is still young and could improve. The old style showa's beni is very weak in some areas. Notice the right side hi plates, you can see white between each scale - this beni is falling apart and will be gone by the end of summer. Get rid of it soon! JMHO

Mike