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Terri
09-30-2007, 08:20 PM
A little history on MAGOI…

The Japanese term for a wild carp is Magoi. There are 3 naturally found occurring color mutations of wild carp….

Tetsu (Iron Magoi): The skin tone of the Tetsu is close to the black on Showas. There has been speculation that the Showa evolved from the Testu because of their similar black coloring.

Doro (Mud Magoi): This Magoi has a light browntone to its skin and could possibly be a mutation from Tetsu. It is thought that today’s Chagoi and Ogon (metallic koi) may have been created by mating Tetsu, Doro and Doitsugoi (German scaled Carp). Doitsugoi were brought from Europe to Japan to be used as food carp some 100 years ago.

Asagi (Asagi Magoi): Asagi Magoi and then the Asagi we are familiar with nowled to the development of several different varieties of koi, such as Kohaku, Sanke, and Aka Matsuba. Asagi are considered to be one of the original Nishikigoi types, it’s history goes back 160 or so years.

Today’s modern Asagi has a dark blue and light blue reticulated pattern to its scales and is a direct descendant of the Asagi Magoi.


Although the blue colouration varies in intensity, a lighter blue is preferred by most. The darker version of the Asagi is called Konjo, the lighter more popular version is called Narumi. The scalation of the Asagi is very important; the primary pattern is grey/blue where the fukurin (skin) appears like a mesh netting covering the whole body from head to tail. The Hi on the sides of the body should extend up to the lateral line. Asagi fins should have uniform red colour. Red pectoral fins are called "Shusuibire". The head should be a strong, clean white along with having symmetrical Hi on the sides of the cheeks reaching to the eyes. Hi on Asagi often tends to be more orange/red than the brighter reds found on Kohaku and Sanke.

Variations:

Konjo Asagi - have a dark blue, almost black back with a light blue or white reticular pattern crossing it

Narumi Asagi - have scales with a dark blue center, shading into light blue towards the edges

Asagi Sanshoku (sanke) - characteristic Asagi blue back but have Hi markings on the head and sides and a milky white abdomen.

Mizu Asagi – light blue colour on the back

Taki Asagi – describes a white band between the blue back and the red abdomen

Hi Asagi – where the red extends up over the lateral line along the back, red on the head

Tancho Asagi - characteristic Asagi blue back but has tancho Hi marking on the head

Ginrin Asagi - Asagi with ginrin scales

Photo examples:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/TJcanada/Koi%20Photos/Asagi-001.jpg http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/TJcanada/Koi%20Photos/Asagi-002.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/TJcanada/Koi%20Photos/Asagi-003.jpg http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/TJcanada/Koi%20Photos/Asagi-006.jpg http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/TJcanada/Koi%20Photos/Asagi-008.jpg http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/TJcanada/Koi%20Photos/ginrinasagi.jpg


2 young Asagi (under 2 yrs)

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/TJcanada/Koi%20Photos/Asagi-005.jpg http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/TJcanada/Koi%20Photos/Asagi-004.jpg


Feel free to add your comments and photos.....

Peg
09-30-2007, 11:22 PM
Love the two on the top. Nice color and scale pattern, very even. Will the two on the bottom darken up as they get older. Not to keen on the gin rin, the reflective scales make it look kinda messy to me.
Peg

Jackie Ramo
10-01-2007, 12:51 AM
This is the only asagi I have

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1363/1188304728_38cfa75007_o.jpg

Terri
10-02-2007, 12:32 AM
Jackie is that new? Not sure I've seen it before :) nice

Peg, yes they will darken up... the net pattern will fill in and the Hi will become deeper and you will see more as it (hopefully) rises to the lateral line. The one on the left would be my pick to take. One of these days I will keep 1 or 2 of the Asagi that come in - to watch and learn about their development.

As I understand it the mistake most hobbyists make when choosing a young (1-2yr olds) Asagi is taking the bluest-reddest one of the lot. Like this one...

Jackie Ramo
10-02-2007, 01:27 AM
Reasonably new Terri, 2 years in the making of it but finished just a few months ago

Most would be hard pressed not to pick that asagi its cute now. Later it will darken too much I think

marla
10-03-2007, 11:12 PM
Great thread Terri, still one I'd like to add to the pond, just not sure it will ever happen.

dcny
10-11-2007, 09:10 PM
There's one more type - reverse asagi where the base of the scale is white and the rim is blue. That gives the reverse illusion. The fukurin is still white.