Koi growth - comparison

[Terri]

Ian and I love getting updates on the koi that leave here,.. the different styles of keepers, different water, and systems all play a role in how a fish can/will develop - or even how different breeders koi compare when grown/cared for side by side.

Here is one update just recently sent to us - I'm sure she won't mind if we have a closer look at what's been happening. Maybe Louise can fill in some more details as to size and keeping etc if she has a few moments...?
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/TJcanada/Koi%20Photos/kohaku-Brady-1.jpg
Photo #1 is at tosai, fall 2006. Photo #2 from last summer.

There is certianly growth in girth going on, the shoulder and tail give the appearance 'power' even at this young age. I get the feeling that length will begin to come in the next year or so. Very nice how the fins are becoming more defined - solid white.

Notice what is happening..
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r256/TJcanada/Koi%20Photos/kohaku-Brady-2.jpg
Lotus Land kohaku are known for 'elastic' beni... this kohaku is (imho) no exception. Both the sashi and kiwa (leading and trailing edge of the hi plate) are developing well.

[Jackie Ramo]

i'm not sure that what is happening is a good thing or not.. certainly I hate the hump that is developing but others think that is a good thing.

[Peg]

What a sharp looking guy. Looks like Louise and I share the same taste in Kohaku’s. I like the hump on the shoulders. Gives the fish the appearance of strength and power. I read somewhere that the hump is a good indication that the fish will be quite large. Don’t know the truth behind that, but I am slowly being won over to the Kohaku side. There will definitely be a few added in time to my pond. I also like that the smaller areas of red balance out the larger ones and make the pattern seem even over the fish.

[Louise Laurent]

Hi:

So, here is what I think. Brady (this is his name) was chosen for different reasons and here is what Brady Brabdwood said about my choice at tosai:



"Kohaku #86???� I'm glad you got that one!� Several reasons you made a great purchase - 1st is the body shape, notice the thick strong build from the shoulders back to the tail.� The tail tube is thick and strong, even at this young age.� Also, the white background is super clean from the nose to the tail, the red coloration is even and high quality, and has the look of high class beni we want to see at this age - notice how sharp the edging between red and white is everywhere on the fish, even at this young age.� The beni on this Kohaku will expand some as the fish grows and the smaller red scales will likely connect to the patterning.� Also, the patterning itself is an excellent show pattern, it's interesting to look at, and the nose and tail are elegant."

So, now after one year I am noticing that Brady is getting that thick shoulder area developed. I am not sure if this is the apppropriate age to develop it. If I compare to some kohakus for sale on website, I would venture to say that the width of the shoulder behing the operculum means that Brady is a Bradette! Love it even if it were to turn out boy!!

The hump on the shoulders is always a concern when the head does not follow. It would give a pike look. I have seen that on a chagoi and from the side it looked bad. In Brady's case, the head in in perfect harmony and looking at the width of the mouth and eye placement I am confident that it is all ok. The overall lenght is proportionate. No ghost carp look here.

As far as the sashi and kiwa are concerned, it is only one scale everywhere so when it finishes in many years, that is going to be sharp. Kiwa is naruzome and is right where it should be.

The beni is still soft, indicating that the growth is happening first. You can't see it from the pic but the growth lines are there. No thinckening yet. Brady has not seen the sun since october. A summer in the pond will give an idea of the beni intensity. The longer the beni takes to finish, the better.

The shiroji on Brady is really nice. In the first pic, straight out the mud pond, it is opalescent, pearly like. BB's fish are known for their shiro. In the second pic, still white, though it had not seen the sun un in 6 months, just halide.

So, I am happy with the development but I am not sure that Brady is going to be a huge fish, yet. Certainly, if Brady could comment, we would know better.


Louise

[Koidaddy]

Wow Louise, good answer and awesome koi!... You sure know your koi stuff!

KD

:yup:

[Louise Laurent]

I would be more sure if Brady would comment and reassure me or tell me like it is, even if I do not want to hear it!!! :grin:

One way or another, Brady is here to stay and his/her development is a valuable learning experience for me. I have 9 others from BBrandwood. t is like a grow out competition here in my tank!

LL

[Brady Brandwood]

Wow! Excellent work Louise! Everything looks right on track for your Kohaku. The body is showing nice development,... a good strong frame, and nice lines from nose to tail, and still with that "pre-teen" underdeveloped look. The white ground is looking incredible, in particular the white of the nose and face,... quality genetics that have been maintained well. Looks like a female from the 2nd pic. The beni or hi plates are doing jut what was predicted, and just what they should be,... creeping outward slightly, producing a larger pattern as the fish is getting larger. We should see the head hi connect with the small island on the left gill top, and the small island on the shoulder join the larger one.

That's very exciting progress!

Best Wishes,
Brady Brandwood

[Louise Laurent]

Well, that is good news. :yup: !strut

:thankU: for that comment. I was hoping to be right but was afraid I was in the potatoes like we say in French...

Some members came to see the fish this weekend and they marvelled at Bradette (got to change her name now!!!) and her siblings. When they looked at my BB tosai that are now between 10 and 12 inches, people were not sure what to think. The beni is soft and some were wondering why it was not red or intense. I guess that is the old thinking that kohakus need to be fiery red. Many times I had that comment on all my kohakus. So I went in depth about the softness of beni and the slow progressive development of the red and what matters first. Like Brady teaches, comformation first, quality of shiro and pattern after. Quality takes time to mature... needs time to mature. All the elements have to be there, and with the right conditions the fish blossom.

It was a very nice informal lesson where all 9 tosai were compared and all eyes were on the pics of development from Brady's blog and fish for sale and some members left with the feeling that they had learned something and discovered a very knowledgeable and dedicated breeder.

I greatly respect his work and I thank Terri for introducing me to him. One day I will be able to afford his bigger fish. For now I am learning from him.

Louise :jumping:

[Terri]

Thank you Brady :)

and Thank you Louise... the asagi update is next btw :grin:

[carcha koi]

I like the big shoulders on that Kohaku. Looks strong and healthy. :hi5:

[Koidaddy]

I like the big shoulders on that Kohaku. Looks strong and healthy. :hi5:


Me too! Looks like Jackie's outnumbered!!


:phfft:

[Jackie Ramo]

lalala Not for the first time am I out numbered but I still don't like what I don't like. Everytime one of my fish develops that nasty hump it finds a new home. I realize that others like the fat hump but to me it spoils the line. Course I'm weird in that I prefer male fish to female fish as well.

Louise I am not insulting your fine fish. It is lovely in all respects and I'm sure in real life the hump fits the fish.

[Ahhuhz]

I'm on your side Jackie! Oh ah, what about... :yup: :yup: :HAHA: :HAHA:

[Louise Laurent]

No problem Jackie... Only time will tell if this little fellow turns out. I just think right now it is like a teenager. We will see how it develops in the future months and years. A great learning tool in any case.

Louise

[Jackie Ramo]

Louise enjoying them is the best part. I even like to watch my mutts grow and change.

[marla]

Yeah, I'm not sure I'm liking the hump either.... now if she grows into it all the better. I do love how white the white is, all my fish with whites vary in shade, never thought whites could be so different.