THoughts on this matsuba

[Ethan25]

It measures just under 20 inches at 2.5 years old. Would you buy for $100? I have the opportunity, and I would love to have one that looks like this. It is from a member of another board who is looking to upgrade their pond with a new tosai, and wants to unload it. It won an award at a recent show they took it to. They are around 6 hours from me and may be willing to meet me halfway.

You all know that I don't have a pond of great fish, but I thought it'd be an upgrade for me.

THoughts?

Ethan

[PapaBear]

I'd say yes IF you are going to thin one or two of you not-so-good ones in the process. You don't help yourself or your Koi if you undermine the improvements you've made by adding too much load to your filtration. You've made a lot of progress in water quality, and taking a step backward wouldn't be a good idea.
As far as this one goes, it is an attractive fish. Less than picture perfect, but another major improvement nonetheless, and at that size $100 is a very reasonable price for a decent fish.

[HEADACHE6]

I agree with Larry , If you buy it , then one or two of yours need to leave the pond .

The first thing I see with this Koi , The Head (Not very clean) and it probably won't get better . But for $100 , not bad .

[aquitori]

At $100 I would say it is a good buy....Where did you get it from? Hobbyist or Dealer?

[Ethan25]

Originally Posted by aquitori

At $100 I would say it is a good buy....Where did you get it from? Hobbyist or Dealer?

A hobbiest who lives not very far from me (under 5 hours). We may meet halfway. THey have a gin platinum to die for at 22 inches for $400, but I can't afford it. It has won awards before too. Here it is....

[Ethan25]

Originally Posted by HEADACHE6

I agree with Larry , If you buy it , then one or two of yours need to leave the pond .

The first thing I see with this Koi , The Head (Not very clean) and it probably won't get better . But for $100 , not bad .

I thought it was a decent buy for a nice looking matsuba that still has room to grow. They did say that the head has been getting whiter and cleaner the past year. Is that BS?

[An Ly]

for 100 buck that is a good buy, at only about 2.5 years that is going to be a very large koi, I buy it just to see the progress of it.

An

[MikeM]

Enjoy her and see how the black does in your water. Generally they darken with age, but water conditions do matter.

[Ethan25]

Originally Posted by MikeM

Enjoy her and see how the black does in your water. Generally they darken with age, but water conditions do matter.

It's kindof the better lookin cousin of my avatar mutt, eh?

Could I expect similar results with the coloration on this one if I end up buying it? The owner said they may meet me halfway with the driving. What would be the best way to pick it up? Do I need an aerator that runs on a battery?

It'll probably be a good 5-6 hour trip if I end up doing this.

Ethan

[MikeM]

It should be double-bagged with more pure oxygen than water. Place in a box so it does not roll, and cover so it is in the dark. 6 hours will be no problem.