Hi All, in 1 month we have the western cape koi show.

Does anyone want to share their secrets on how to go about preparing GoSanke or koi in general for a koi show......i am not talking about the normal stuff like stop feeding 1 week before hand BLA, BLA, BLA.....I am talking about the juicy, secret stuff people do to prepare their koi for the show.

Wayne

Advice from Bob Winkler, a koi expert (Koi-bito)

1) 4 months before the Show
A) Feed 6-10 x/day Hikari Excel, Hi Growth (Wheat Germ), Paste food recipe borrowed from JR- (Izeki Paste Food, one catfish fillet, collared greens, Uncooked, unshelled shrimp, frozen green peas, one red bell pepper, whole wheat germ, baby vitamins, orange juice, and non flavored gelatin mixed in a food processor and poured out onto cookie sheet. Refrigerate this for one day, then cut into squares and into Tupperware)
B) Treats of Prawns, watermelon, grapefruit.
C) Pond Temp 75-80F
D) Refresh Brand montmorillionite clay at a rate of one cup/week/10,000 gallons
E) Water change 10-15%/week

2) 2 ½ months before the Show
A) Eliminate Excel/Spirulina and Paste food over next two weeks
B) Feed Hi-Silk and Hi-Growth (wheat germ) 50/50% 6-10x/day
C) Pond Temp 75-80F
D) Refresh powder 1 ½ cups/week/10,000 gallons
E) Water Change 20-25%/week


3) 1 month before Show
A) Feed only Hi-Silk, but less times per day
B) Pond Temp 70-75F
C) Refresh Powder 1 ½ cups/week/10,000 gallons
D) Water Change 20-25% per week
E) Find out water parameters at show if possible

4) 2 weeks before the Show
A) Reduce Hi-Silk to once/day
B) Pond Temp 70F or Ambient
C) Water Change 10%/day
D) Bowl and photograph all koi (helps verify how many tanks needed, and if extra help will be necessary)
E) Refresh 1 ½ cups/week/10,000 gallons

5) 1 week before the Show
A) Stop all food
B) Water quality at show levels
C) Water Change 10% every other day
D) Refresh 1 cup/10,000 gallons every other day

6) Show Day
A) Final decision on which koi make the trip at final viewing
B) Double or triple bag and box with O2, Elbagin, pond water
C) Bring extra supplies of each of the above to the show
D) Load boxes sideways in transport vehicle
E) Relax, you are almost there

Very intresting but how about some local tips on....

Water hardness?
Clay?
Color Enhancers....

How to het shiro even whiter...

In my opinion(although I am not an expert), if you wish to show Showa or Utsuri, you should maintain hard water before the show as it makes the black darker and deeper. However, it is not good for the Hi on Kohakus and Sankes and migh cause shimis (black spots) on them.

Most people do use clay to enhance the colours, but refrain from using it a month before the show.

Colour enhancing food is an absolute no no at this stage as it is too late. Although it will brighten up the red, it will create a pinkish colour on the white or at least prevents a snow white appearance, and I believe the white is much more important than the hi. Colour enhancing foods should only be given until a month before the show.

Most people also do away with salt at this stage to limit a slime coat which might create a dull impression.

Excellent water conditions are off course extremely important at this stage.

Jaco is the expert on this subject, maybe he can enlighten us.

Hi Wayne
Are you exhibiting at the show? Can you please post new info regarding same on the Events page. We have members who are interested in attending and have requested more info.

Can you help?

Rezanne

Hi Rezanne,

I am planning to show some of my own koi in my private capacity, so i am not planning to have a stand for Koi Adventures.

I am on the SAKKS show commitee tho, but the show commitee itself seems to to be more related to the actual setup of the show instead of having any input into the organising or planning there of.

I suggest you contact Ernst Van Dyk or Johan Jacobs for more information.

Wayne

I am no expert, sorry.
My fish usually comes from the mud pond 2weeks before the show and they are fed as usual for one week and fasted for another before the show.

Why are the fish fasted the last week??

Visse maak gewoonlik vuil wanneer mens hulle vang. Jy wil dit nie rerig in 'n skou dam he nie want dit lyk sleg en dit affekteer die water kondisie. Onhou die visse is in water wat nie gefiltreer word nie, daar is slegs lug wat ingepomp word.