I really like Goshiki, thoughts on this one?

[Ethan25]

Aside from being ginrin, I like the way the sumi outlines areas of the hi. I haven't seen much in regard to goshiki, but this one I really like.

What should one look for in Goshiki for them to compete? What are goshiki "no-no's"?

[dick benbow]

I think one of the frustrations i have in teaching is that most folks will focus on the pattern of a koi irregardless if it's GR or Hikari......I really think it's important to consider the GR first, because if it's no good than the best goshiki you could ever find that is GR is now compromised......
But I understand where your coming from, it was the best goshiki picture you could find so we'll ignore the GR....One of the secrets to finding a good one is to inspect the white along the sides under the pattern. Find good white here at this stage and you'll be encouraged that the black and red will also be excellent when it finishes.

[dick benbow]

that leaves two other basic colors, black and red. It's always best if there is no black showing in the red. BUT as a goshiki develops sometimes it will show only to be covered up again as the beni thickens, so I don't think we want to feel bad because of the black in the last tailstop beni at this stage. BUT....

Finally we've got to consider Black. It does come on with good water quality and temperature also affects it. What we want to see is a uniform grey throughout the white from head to tail.
The black development is splotchy and not uniform with the same consistancy thru-out.
My feeling with this koi as it progresses is that the black will become more dominant than we would wish. To me this is confirmed with the dark tail and dark face as the black fills in between. At this stage would like to have seen more of a uniform consistant grey than black.

I predict it will be espcially black with black eventually showing and retaining in the beni. But again water and temperature play a role in this. Higher temps and lower GH may help to slow it's pace.....

[gcuss]

Dumb question alert!!

I was wondering what would make this fish be a goshiki? Im confused by the sumi on the surface, the motoguro in the pec fins etc. I know nothing of his variety so apply salt as needed to my question.

Thanks,

Grant

[koiczar]

Ethan

Funny you posted THIS particular picture today. I was at this dealer's facility just a short while ago today and saw this fish "up close and personal". It looks VERY MUCH like the picture, so definitely NOT PHOTOSHOPPED. I've known this dealer personally for about 10 years now, from his humble backyard beginnings. He's a great friend and a very honest person. So, if y ou called him to inquire about this fish, he'd probably walk over to the tank and look at it while talking to you.

It is a female and Nisai. My suspicion is that it is from Hiroi. The GinRin is pretty good, not outstanding, but acceptable. The red is on fire. The black that is visible is spotty at best, for now. I'm afraid this will become a Kuro Goshiki and the GinRin will get overtaken by the sumi. But, all in all, this might be a fish worth getting to see how your water affects the sumi development. There are a couple other Goshiki that show some promise on his site. The 11" tosai from Ogata looks pretty good too! Good luck,

Mike

Mike

[dick benbow]

Goshiki was so named because it was fancifully explained as being five colors.....
white red black grey and blueish.

This koi pictured is in transistion to becoming a goshiki, and so it is hard to determine. earlier in it's life Grant you'd have pulled your hair guessing what it was cause it would look like a kohaku with the ever so lightest grey in the white parts, just enought to let you know " that ain't NO Kohaku " !

In another year or so it'll blacken up where there won't be any doubt. Like the little guy you have pictured on your avitar, it takes awhile till you know what is gonna happen with the black.

[gcuss]

Thanks for the explanation Dick. I appreciate it.

Grant