Simply Koi and More Koi

Hi Guys,

I am three weeks away from my second show vat, and aside from medical issues with two of my koi (you know which two ) I am getting to a stage that out of 12 koi the majority are looking doubtful, with a third contender having took a knock.

My shiro was another contender, and looked like this a month ago, but starting to feed (first year in this pond, grown on in a seperate growing tank last year) and the shiroji has gone very yellow on the head, and into the body.

I put it down to the food, and moved quickly onto Nobori to attempt to redress the situation, but as yet (about a month later) no signs of improvement, so was wondering if the show guys have any suggestions with this timescale how I can improve the koi's shiroji.

Or is the change just proof of the koi's poor quality?

Honesty please guys.

Mark

how old is the fish and how big? do you know the breeder ?

dunc

Dunc,

I know this koi.... it is Nisai and the breeder is Okawa. Size is in the 40-50cm range.


Mark,

I would to be honest thinking its simply a "condition" thing rather than a long term issue or a problem. It could simply be that the koi is thinking "spawning" rather than anything else. Give the koi time and see how it pans out. This is the big problem with showing your koi - it is all too easy for it to become the focus and you begin to scrutinize every little change. Teaches you about condition etc - but i'm not so sure its all plus points. To easy to get over critical of your collection.

Honestly there are very few who can compete in the top echelons in the show ring and contend for major prizes - so try to relax take the best conditioned koi on benching day and let the rest take care of itself. You need to enjoy showing "for the sake of it" rather than competing or IMO it will only end in disapointment.

right now i know size and age i know what it is boys

this happens with shiro's a lot in particular the skin at that age over the skull is very thin what you are looking at is the reflection of the skull showing through the skin

it will grow or should i say it normally grows out as the koi gets older the skull cap gets thicker

in fact it dont look that bad iv'e seen worse with shiro MOF iv'e owned worse

Hi Duncan, think its got worse since this pic was taken for a grow and show so is now a lot yellower than the pic shows. Looks great in that pic though, I nearly voted for it but after a lot of debate between 3 of them, chose 14 cos it was so unique and the shirojo was just stunning

Hi guys,

Thanks for the comments, and Greg as usual your not wrong!

I shall get a photo of it as current condition for comparison, if i can catch it, as its always different in a bowl to the 'in pond view'.

In the meantime any other suggestions (thanks Max) I am all ears!

Mark