Went to Quality Koi today (and saw the 555 koi in person) - Page 2 - Koi Forum - Koi-Bito Magazine

jnorth · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstrseed

Awesome pictures Jim............................................

Hahaha more photos to come....and I promise they will be in focus

.

Meg · 2 Weeks Ago

such a tease!

gcuss · 2 Weeks Ago

Typically, what type of price range are these koi? And does the price include the summer in the mud?

Would be an entirely wierd concept for me. Buy a fish, daydream about how it's doing...

Using the search feature, I see it's quite popular. I think for me, it would be hard to say which I would enjoy more. The anticipation of what my fish is doing, or attending the harvest.

Thanks,

Grant

MikeM · 2 Weeks Ago

When the 555 Event began a few years ago, the ones selected for it were priced at $555, which included mud pond for the summer. You are buying a nisai based on a tosai photo. Last year some of the tosai included were higher priced and some lesser priced. I understand that there may be some included this year that in the past would have been held in reserve and not seen by the buying public until the breeder was ready to let them go. If that's right, there will be some rather high prices on a few.

My personal opinion is that 90% or so of the tosai turn out to be worth their price or more. Some that have unimpressive patterns turn out to have the quality and body as nisai that allows you see the potential to be impressive when 4 years old. Folks get used to looking at tosai based on pattern and finish as they would be judged at a show. So, they can have difficulty understanding what they see when looking at tosai that have been selected based on future potential, not how they look today. Some will turn out male, and many of those IMO are nonetheless worth the price as nisai, although you may not want it. There is the nagging 10% or so that do not turn out as well as hoped or suffer an injury, etc., etc., which I'd value at less than the price. Mud ponds are a gamble. Tosai are a gamble. And, the best tosai can look pretty blah in a photo. The preview photos include some Sanke that are rather blotchy looking right now. These immediately caught my eye because I've seen that look before in Mat's Sanke. The Hi is very immature, there is temporary 'baby sumi' and the beginnings of consolidating adult sumi. These are the sort Mat selects based on pigment quality. They may well remain rather plain as nisai, but by then a person can see the potential much better. They are not fish that would be imported as tosai. And some may well be koi that you'd not likely see imported even as nisai.

Unless a person is a real gambler, or highly self-confident, I strongly recommend getting the insurance. Unless the terms have changed, if you are unhappy with the fish at harvest, you can turn it in for full credit toward another purchase (including the insurance premium); or, you can get a cash refund (less the premium). Last year I ended up with two males. Thanks to the insurance, I was able to decline them and apply the credit to purchase a 3-year old female Kohaku that I think is an awesome animal. With the insurance, I basically think of it as creating a koi savings account. I'm sure there will be a koi on the farm I want, so it is risk-free from my perspective.

I have a short list of 8 I'm looking at. This year I'm going to try to limit myself to one or two.

carrie1964 · 2 Weeks Ago

Well, I just emailed Tara. And I do have a nice "koi savings account" as Mike said.

I`ve got a short list of 6. But I am really only looking for a kohaku this year. So we`ll see if I get lucky enough to choose on of the ones I want!

BTW.........I know all is fair in love and war.and KOI!!! But there is one Kohaku that I just LOVE!! I hope I get her (fingers crossed!!!)

carrie1964 · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcuss

Typically, what type of price range are these koi? And does the price include the summer in the mud?

Would be an entirely wierd concept for me. Buy a fish, daydream about how it's doing...

Using the search feature, I see it's quite popular. I think for me, it would be hard to say which I would enjoy more. The anticipation of what my fish is doing, or attending the harvest.

Thanks,

Grant

Grant,
I had two in the mud last year. And I was not able to attend the harvest. But I had ALMOST as much fun at home talking on the phone with my friend who was there and then waiting for the pictures! This year I`ll be there so I`m looking forward to it!

gcuss · 2 Weeks Ago

Ok,

I may not like the answer, but I better ask the question.

I've been at Koi for about a year now.

My pond is 5600 gals or so. And is approx 6' deep. I already have 5 Koi (all tosai and most likely 4/5 are male) and I intend on participating in the showa growout that's coming up. I fear I may be already over capacity.

So.... do I have room? (might be willing to "place" a couple of my current fish by the end of summer, but it's too early to tell how they're going to do)

Also, is my pond even suitable for a tategoi type fish in the first place? I see all kinds of numbers thrown around, and my pond seems to be on the smaller side.

Thanks,

Grant

Auntiesue · 2 Weeks Ago

Grant, I have a smaller 6,000 gallon pond that is about 5.5 feet deep. If you have over filtered the pond and either do frequent water changes or use a trickle in method, you should be able to keep about 6 full grown females in that pond IMHO. But it all depends on your filtration and your mainteneance protocols.

Personally I keep my largest in my big pond and use the smaller pond to "finish" off the fish for show with slightly harder water in that pond. I also keep a few very small babies in there as it's easier to keep track of them in this pond.

Sue

kntry · 2 Weeks Ago

Carrie, I'm going to the harvest, too! I can't wait.

Jim, are there more fish in the auction than what's on the website now? I hope so.

I see 3 that I really like.

jnorth · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by kntry

Carrie, I'm going to the harvest, too! I can't wait.

Jim, are there more fish in the auction than what's on the website now? I hope so.

I see 3 that I really like.

They have tons and tons of koi for sale that can be put in the mud but I believe thats it for the 555 stuff. Give Tara a call and tell her what you are looking for and your price range etc and I'm sure they can hook you up

.

2 Weeks Ago	#18 (permalink)
Auntiesue Jumbo Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 536	Grant, I have a smaller 6,000 gallon pond that is about 5.5 feet deep. If you have over filtered the pond and either do frequent water changes or use a trickle in method, you should be able to keep about 6 full grown females in that pond IMHO. But it all depends on your filtration and your mainteneance protocols. Personally I keep my largest in my big pond and use the smaller pond to "finish" off the fish for show with slightly harder water in that pond. I also keep a few very small babies in there as it's easier to keep track of them in this pond. Sue __________________ Sue 2008 Upper Midwest Koi Club Show and Product Expo AKCA Open Show August 2nd & 3rd, Minneapolis, MN Judges: Ray Jordan; Bob Brudd and Peter Ponzio http://www.umkoiclub.org/

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2 Weeks Ago	#12 (permalink)
Meg Nisai Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 118	such a tease!

2 Weeks Ago	#13 (permalink)
gcuss Sansai Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 162	Typically, what type of price range are these koi? And does the price include the summer in the mud? Would be an entirely wierd concept for me. Buy a fish, daydream about how it's doing... Using the search feature, I see it's quite popular. I think for me, it would be hard to say which I would enjoy more. The anticipation of what my fish is doing, or attending the harvest. Thanks, Grant

2 Weeks Ago	#14 (permalink)
MikeM Honmei Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 4,658	When the 555 Event began a few years ago, the ones selected for it were priced at $555, which included mud pond for the summer. You are buying a nisai based on a tosai photo. Last year some of the tosai included were higher priced and some lesser priced. I understand that there may be some included this year that in the past would have been held in reserve and not seen by the buying public until the breeder was ready to let them go. If that's right, there will be some rather high prices on a few. My personal opinion is that 90% or so of the tosai turn out to be worth their price or more. Some that have unimpressive patterns turn out to have the quality and body as nisai that allows you see the potential to be impressive when 4 years old. Folks get used to looking at tosai based on pattern and finish as they would be judged at a show. So, they can have difficulty understanding what they see when looking at tosai that have been selected based on future potential, not how they look today. Some will turn out male, and many of those IMO are nonetheless worth the price as nisai, although you may not want it. There is the nagging 10% or so that do not turn out as well as hoped or suffer an injury, etc., etc., which I'd value at less than the price. Mud ponds are a gamble. Tosai are a gamble. And, the best tosai can look pretty blah in a photo. The preview photos include some Sanke that are rather blotchy looking right now. These immediately caught my eye because I've seen that look before in Mat's Sanke. The Hi is very immature, there is temporary 'baby sumi' and the beginnings of consolidating adult sumi. These are the sort Mat selects based on pigment quality. They may well remain rather plain as nisai, but by then a person can see the potential much better. They are not fish that would be imported as tosai. And some may well be koi that you'd not likely see imported even as nisai. Unless a person is a real gambler, or highly self-confident, I strongly recommend getting the insurance. Unless the terms have changed, if you are unhappy with the fish at harvest, you can turn it in for full credit toward another purchase (including the insurance premium); or, you can get a cash refund (less the premium). Last year I ended up with two males. Thanks to the insurance, I was able to decline them and apply the credit to purchase a 3-year old female Kohaku that I think is an awesome animal. With the insurance, I basically think of it as creating a koi savings account. I'm sure there will be a koi on the farm I want, so it is risk-free from my perspective. I have a short list of 8 I'm looking at. This year I'm going to try to limit myself to one or two.

2 Weeks Ago	#15 (permalink)
carrie1964 Nisai Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 111	Well, I just emailed Tara. And I do have a nice "koi savings account" as Mike said. I`ve got a short list of 6. But I am really only looking for a kohaku this year. So we`ll see if I get lucky enough to choose on of the ones I want! BTW.........I know all is fair in love and war.and KOI!!! But there is one Kohaku that I just LOVE!! I hope I get her (fingers crossed!!!)

2 Weeks Ago	#17 (permalink)
gcuss Sansai Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 162	Ok, I may not like the answer, but I better ask the question. I've been at Koi for about a year now. My pond is 5600 gals or so. And is approx 6' deep. I already have 5 Koi (all tosai and most likely 4/5 are male) and I intend on participating in the showa growout that's coming up. I fear I may be already over capacity. So.... do I have room? (might be willing to "place" a couple of my current fish by the end of summer, but it's too early to tell how they're going to do) Also, is my pond even suitable for a tategoi type fish in the first place? I see all kinds of numbers thrown around, and my pond seems to be on the smaller side. Thanks, Grant

2 Weeks Ago	#19 (permalink)
kntry Tategoi Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 404	Carrie, I'm going to the harvest, too! I can't wait. Jim, are there more fish in the auction than what's on the website now? I hope so. I see 3 that I really like.