Simply Koi and More Koi

hi everyone,
long story short is that i came by these 5 large koi (16in to 24in) and was only holding them short term until we move and i build my big pond. Things are dragging though and am not sure exactly how long i can keep these fish temporarily. If i have to let some go to other homes then i need an expert eye to tell me which are keepers and which are pond fillers. an idea of values would be a great help if anyone would give their opinion though that is less important than identifying the fish that should be kept if any.
thanks guys
rich

[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/rich ... chment.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/richyc2008/10.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/richyc2008/11.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/richyc2008/9.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/richyc2008/8.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/richyc2008/7.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/richyc2008/6.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/richyc2008/5.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/richyc2008/4.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/richyc2008/3.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/richyc2008/2.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/richyc2008/1.jpg[/img]

Edit: Added img tags so pictures show up (admin)

Rich, they all look like healthy male fish ... and the choice should be based on your preference not ours. There are no show winners or classic examples of any varieties in the group – sorry.

thanks boogatee,
that certainly takes some weight off me and am sure it is a bonus since the chances are the fish are much hardier than suspected. Does the shusui not look at all female? i tried comparing its fin shapes to pics in my book and going by its size thought it may be female.

While maturing the filter how should i be running it? my filter has a max flow rate of 7500l/h and is being used with a pump pushing 4800l/h. I have another pump that will run at 6500l/h but am not sure if the best way to cope with the ammonia is to run at max and pass as much water through it as poss or run slower and give the filter more time?

many thanks for all your help
rich

without knowing your exact setup .. the filter flow rate is okay for an immature filter. Providing that your filter is appropriately matched to your system, that rate along with hearty water changes and reduced feeding should allow your system to cycle with minimum heartache.

Good luck

Hello .. i reconise those koi .. did you get them from a guy called roger in aylesbury?
regards
Maxine

hi maxine,
yes i think i did. The fish were bigger than anticipated and the move is taking longer than expected. Was having some issues and a bit of panic with the ammount of ammonia they were producing but have got it all under control now. I was led to believe that some of the fish may have been jap imports but the general opinion seems to be that there is nothing special, all low grade or home bread. Was also told some may be female, i actually thought that the shusui may be female but again the general opinion seems to be that they are all male (although pics aren't great). I actually like the fish and they are pretty friendly. What do you know about them?
regards
rich

Rich......the thing to remember about Koi keeping, is, that if you like them, then that's all that counts.Most of us started out like this, and gradually, improved the stock in our ponds, but what one person likes, there will one who dosn't.

thanks dave,
i know that, was just panicking a little at the time. Had forgotten that horrible feeling when you are worrying about your fish. Got told that the orange one which i thought was a shusui is called a yamotonishiki and that they aren't that common at this size over here. What is the fish, i can't work it out?
all the best

I've always thought a Yamatonishiki was a metallic Koi that had more than one colour but wasn't showa or utsuri, so was basically a metallic sanke.

your fish looks like a hi shusui ... have a look at these - [url]http://www.koiid.com/cd/pg2.htm[/url]

there no real clear picture but i whave said the fish in question is a doitsu kujaku

mark

OK didnt know there were so many, dont think I will ever learn them!!!!!!!!!!!!!