The most newbie of newbie questions: Why all the Love for the Ladies?

[raganwald]

I hear the same thing time after time, Koi fanciers prefer the female Koi. The discrimination is blatant: "I don't like that Kohaku, it looks male to me."

Why do hobbyists prefer the females?

[Terri]

Koi show standards,... that is why some hobbyists prefer females over males. It has a lot to do with body shape, size, and finishing.

Females:
- can to be grown into very large impressive fish, 30"+
- have a rounder body shape many find very appealing
- the above wins Grand Champion, etc at koi shows - since the introduction of koi shows in Japan (it's the Japanese's fault, they started the trend http://backyardpuddle.com/forum/images/smilies/%21rolling.gif )
- some might argue the quality of the skin is better than males
Males:
- they are male :HAHA: j/k
- slimmer body to that of females
- many believe males do not grow as large as female koi - this is not necessarily true
- many believe male koi finish pattern & colour development at an early age (24month to 36months) - this is not necessarily true

I do not have a problem with having either sex, I actually prefer the males tapered body... torpedo shape. Both develop in different ways and different stages. Females are the bread and butter, they carry the eggs :bleh:

[Jackie Ramo]

I prefer the males and don't understand this fashion for females in the koi world. I think it stems from the Japanese love of sumo wrestling stars.. I don't get that either but female koi and sumo wrestlers have a lot in common. :HAHA: