still very small.
you will definately learn alot from watching these grow.
the showa might turn out nicely, it is still dark and the sumi pattern wraps up from under the lateral line. Hope it looses all other hi on the body and keeps the tancho marking could be interesting then.
the pattern on the one kohaku is too small and sits on top of the fish and will not grow with the fish.
the hi on the other kohaku is over the eyes and over the gill plates, the head is pretty much all red which strictly speaking is a nono.
also the pattern is front heavy.
when looking for a kohaku, look for good baody shape first, then look for qaulity of skin, nice clear white ground, white on the tip of the nose and white on the peduncle just before the tail. make sure the hi and the whit is nice and thick and uniform.
as far as the pattern goes, look for a pattern that wraps up from below the lateral line. This will grow with the fish as it grows.
But like i said, this is a learning oppurtunity.It takes time to develop your eye and to distinguish quality, but then also a bit of luck. I also buy my fish small as my budget is really hectic.
i have given away 8 learning oppurtunities in the last few weeks, most of them kohaku's that looked ok, but had basic flaws and errors that multiplied as they grew.
Costa from Sakura will be having a pond drag when he gets back from japan. you must try and come, not to buy or anything, just watch and listen. I am going to go and help myself, i dont get paid paid or anything, but what i learn by shutting my mouth and just listening is really worth it.