some pics of that different looking koi

[Eugeneg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ethan25 Thanks Mike. I know it won't win any awards, but it's lineage tends to stump a lot of koi people. I know its a mutt, but an interesting one compared to some I have..... Yeah, the white scales are indeed different. The camera or sun really gives a flash off of them. I don't think they are any type of ginrin, do you?

Enjoy your fish but be carefull how many you collect ,as one day you might want to get some small good quality tosai to raise and the bigger fish will keep them from growing to their potential .
Koi are a living art as soon as you learn to appreciate them and it is then really difficult to get rid of the muts. Do not fall for all the kind words people are not stumped by your fish they just want to be nice . It is a nice mutt.
Regards
Eugene

[Ethan25]

Quote: Originally Posted by Eugeneg Enjoy your fish but be carefull how many you collect ,as one day you might want to get some small good quality tosai to raise and the bigger fish will keep them from growing to their potential . Koi are a living art as soon as you learn to appreciate them and it is then really difficult to get rid of the muts. Do not fall for all the kind words people are not stumped by your fish they just want to be nice . It is a nice mutt. Regards Eugene

I won't collect too many. I just sold a 24 inch mutt that was taking a lot of bio load to free up some space. It was my heaviest eater and pooper, so that helped. I also sold two small 8-10" fish to the local pet store in exchange for a 46 gallon aquarium for my office. I can't go bigger with the pond, so a little culling is ok by me.

I know people aren't stumped. The pros know it isn't anything noteworthy. Rather, it's just a solid looking mutt. The pattern and color are consistent over the body, which is the only reason I get any sort of decent comments about it.

This mutt just dresses nicely.....

[Ethan25]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM . When the time comes that you are ready to move to another level in this crazy hobby, I hope you retain the ability to cherish the fish that infected you with the koi addiction. ...BTW, my little girl is now 22. Want to trade?

Ha!

I'm 27, actually.

Thanks for the kind words. I plan on keeping this koi for good, as I think it will be interesting to see how the pattern grows with the koi. Like I said, it is a vigorous eater, and my guess, will grow quite a bit this summer. I ordered 40 lbs of higher quality food which will hopefully help it some.

[Ethan25]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM Oh yes, the mutt with a difference. She looks good as to health and vigor. She is lucky to have you own her. ...The asagi-style patterning on the back shows well in these shots and the white scales within it are interesting. You are doing well with her.

You are talking about on the side of the fish, right? The camera flash really makes these show. I may try to get a picture of the fish without a flash. I can see where a flash can make a fish look different than in normal lighting.

I have had others say that the white is just a reflection, and that they are probably some sort of ginrin scales. Any thoughts on that, Mike? Or anyone else?

[MikeM]

Nope. I'll let you tell me.

[HEADACHE6]

Ethan , I'm not sure what you want to hear ? On another board , your going to get the "Cute , Nice , I'd put it in my Pond" comments . Over here , your going to hear "Pond grade Mutt" .

Which do you think are correct ?

The koi probably looks nice in a sunny pond , but over here , it needs more . The koi has uneven scales (some dark , some not) , the head is a mess and I don't see it cleaning up .

After seeing many of your koi , many times , I know you have a couple that are above this one . And some (sorry) , below this one .

As has been said , time is coming for you to take the next step . You could sell a couple or more of your koi and spend that money on 1 or 2 nice Tosai . Within a year , you could have these koi almost the same size as what we are looking at here today .

Just a thought ?

[MCPS Mike]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM Ethan, we can be a 'tough board' when it comes to evaluating koi, but there are few 'high-end' koikeepers who do not still have a beloved koi whose value is not measured in dollars. The best way to learn how to keep koi is to stay within your budget for money you can lose. Nothing to apologize about. We've all been there. And, I was not joking when I said she would have been the center of attention 60 years ago. She is not a show fish by any means, but she is worthy of being appreciated for what she is and for what she represents... an accomplishment of over two centuries of selective breeding. When the time comes that you are ready to move to another level in this crazy hobby, I hope you retain the ability to cherish the fish that infected you with the koi addiction. ...BTW, my little girl is now 22. Want to trade?

Nice reply.
I'm grateful for Ethan's courage to step off the cliff.
Most of us chicken's are just content to look, read and hopefully learn a little !

[gspotmc]

Ethan,
How Big Is Your Pond? Can You Give Us Some Info? I'm Gonna Do Some Gulling. You Might Wanna Get One OR TWO From Me To Study.
Michael

[Ethan25]

Quote: Originally Posted by gspotmc Ethan, How Big Is Your Pond? Can You Give Us Some Info? I'm Gonna Do Some Gulling. You Might Wanna Get One OR TWO From Me To Study. Michael

My pond is around 3,000 gallons with bottom drain with air, SC with Answer 325, and installing a 55 gallon boiling barrel of Bioflow9. I'll be willing to cull if I can get something better of course! Thing is, I have very little money to spend on anything, and I live far away from you in Illinois....

Let me know what you think. i feel ready to take on some fish with good genes, You can only learn so much from mutts and pondgrade fish. Like Headache has told me, bloodlines mean a lot as to potential....

Ethan

[Ethan25]

Quote: Originally Posted by gspotmc Ethan, How Big Is Your Pond? Can You Give Us Some Info? I'm Gonna Do Some Gulling. You Might Wanna Get One OR TWO From Me To Study. Michael

I am picking out 4 fish to cull this week. ON the way back from chicago last night we stopped at the Koi POnd supply of Japan in Marengo. They had 5-7" imports from Suda for $35. Several had the inazuma hi patterns as well. I ended up convincing the wife to let me buy one small showa. It's a nice little fish to see grow out. I'll post a picture of it this week. The owners of this little shop were very nice, and had some nice tosai and nisai for sale. They had a lot of 5-7" kohaku to choose from, many with good ginrin.

I am realizing now what pondgrade compared to import means. Once you see them in person, it's a whole new ballgame.

Let me know about your culls. I am of course interested....

Blessings,
Ethan