Showa, sanke, and shiro utsuri - should I keep these fish or donate for auction?

[rockman]

I had a bunch of fish die while wintering over at a pond store, so the proprietor offered me several fish in compensation.

The first pic of the single fish is a pic of one of the fish that has died and was taken before I sent him off for wintering (i was really fond of this fish and sad to hear the news)...others that died whiel wintering included a shiro utsuri and a sanke (didnt have pics of these).

The following bin contains four fish. The largest one (the larger of the two shiro utsuri) was already mine and survived the wintering, but has a sore of her mouth (but looks like is healing?).

I would appreciate input on the other three fish, all about 12 inches or so long, all are 1 year old i think. I was offered these find to replace the ones that died. How would you rank the three: sanke, showa and smaller of the two shiro utsuri. If you would like to also discuss in comparison with the larger shiro utsuri, please fell free to do so.

Please be brutally honest...would you recommend to keep or should i donate for auction? I would like to think i have the patience to "finish" these fish, but would I be rewarded or not?

[MikeM]

At first glance, I thought I would like the Sanke, but it was just the balance of the pattern catching my eye. I do not care for the look of the Beni, especially on the flank.

The Shiro has a very nice pattern, but for a 12" fish, the body is too 'front heavy'. Difficult to say about the Sumi from the pic.

The Showa has unbalanced Sumi in the pectorals, creating a negative first impression, but as I look at it, I think it is the better of the three.

I would like to know more about the conditions in which they have been kept in order to get an idea of whether some of the negative aspects might be overcome with better conditions. As is, the Showa is the only one I think you might enjoy for more than two seasons. With all the pond space and enhancements you've put in place, I think you are ready to move to a higher level than any of these three, but you may still enjoy that Showa along the way.

[kntry]

I have to agree. The Showa is the best of the 3 but I wouldn't keep any of them. That's a decision you'll have to make for yourself because if you like the fish, they're worth watching for a year or so since you have the space.

Can you get a better pic of the mouth sore?

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by rockman I had a bunch of fish die while wintering over at a pond store, so the proprietor offered me several fish in compensation. The first pic of the single fish is a pic of one of the fish that has died and was taken before I sent him off for wintering (i was really fond of this fish and sad to hear the news)...others that died whiel wintering included a shiro utsuri and a sanke (didnt have pics of these). The following bin contains four fish. The largest one (the larger of the two shiro utsuri) was already mine and survived the wintering, but has a sore of her mouth (but looks like is healing?). I would appreciate input on the other three fish, all about 12 inches or so long, all are 1 year old i think. I was offered these find to replace the ones that died. How would you rank the three: sanke, showa and smaller of the two shiro utsuri. If you would like to also discuss in comparison with the larger shiro utsuri, please fell free to do so. Please be brutally honest...would you recommend to keep or should i donate for auction? I would like to think i have the patience to "finish" these fish, but would I be rewarded or not?

I would donate all of them.

[rockman]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM At first glance, I thought I would like the Sanke, but it was just the balance of the pattern catching my eye. I do not care for the look of the Beni, especially on the flank. The Shiro has a very nice pattern, but for a 12" fish, the body is too 'front heavy'. Difficult to say about the Sumi from the pic. The Showa has unbalanced Sumi in the pectorals, creating a negative first impression, but as I look at it, I think it is the better of the three. I would like to know more about the conditions in which they have been kept in order to get an idea of whether some of the negative aspects might be overcome with better conditions. As is, the Showa is the only one I think you might enjoy for more than two seasons. With all the pond space and enhancements you've put in place, I think you are ready to move to a higher level than any of these three, but you may still enjoy that Showa along the way.

Mike,

Thanks for the comments. These fish have all been kept indoors for the winter, so I am wondering if exposure to sunlight might bring out some more quality in these fish. FYI, the Sanke is Momoraro, both Shiros are Omosako, and I forget the lineage of the Showa, and all are female.

And I tend to agree with your comment re:higher level, but I wanted to get some others' opinions on these jsut in case I might be missing something.

-Rockman

[rockman]

Quote: Originally Posted by kntry I have to agree. The Showa is the best of the 3 but I wouldn't keep any of them. That's a decision you'll have to make for yourself because if you like the fish, they're worth watching for a year or so since you have the space. Can you get a better pic of the mouth sore?

Thanks for being honest...I would not say I necessarily like the fish...the largest one I purchased last year, I really like the pattern, but it does have a bit of what I call "dolphin head", eve so this fish has some sentimental value...the other three haev no value to me, I did not pick them out, they were offered to me, and in all probability I would not have picked these particular fish.

I might try to re-catch the large shiro in the next couple of days to get a better pic...since I just put them in I dont want to catch and stress her again right away. In the second to last pic if you look close you can get an idea...the area looks pink now, I am hoping it will eventually go away since this is like the only fish of these four I would keep.

[rockman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Russell Peters I would donate all of them.

I am thinking life is too short to keep koi with little or no promising futures.

I just wanted to make sure I was not being too impatient here, thanks!

[Sangreaal]

After looking at them all for a few minutes, I'm ready to see better fish. (Wish the first fish you posted had survived!) Go shopping again and drop them all off at the auction on the way....

[kntry]

I'd be concerned about the mouth sore. Unless it's just the pic, that side of the mouth is shaped differently. When koi get sores on/in their mouths, they usually stop eating. Is she feeding?

[l113892]

What is your budget for a new purchase? If your budget is small, might as well keep these.


Mike Pfeffer