I inherited a green pond with gold fish next to my stoep and gradually got the water as clear as can be over 6 years. It contains about 8000 litre.

Over the years I have bought some fish that often turned out not so good looking. My only big fish is a big yellow ogon that I bought last year for R300, but its head shape is a bit akward.

So I need comments on the bad, the ugly and the worst, because I gradually want to buy good quality (Having said that, I lot of these have been bought at the Cresta koi show!

So honest opinions, but remember, I'm not into showing, this is just a hobby! The numbers are at the left hand bottom of the photos. (Quality of the photos not always good, took it last night)

My only Kohaku (Three others have lost their colour)
1.

1.

Some Sanke
2.

3.

This was a kohaku, now got some black coming out
4.

5.

Black and white:
6.

Bought this little one recently, they claim the quality is very good (imported)
7.
7.

? Shiro bekko
8.

Other: (No idea what this one is)
9.
9.

Bought the next one like this at last year's show:
10.
Currently- lost the blue!
10.

I really do not like nr 11
11.

Bought from Collin in Pta last year
12.

My Chagoi, also from Collin last year. Please comment on the one just above the chagoi, same as nr 14:
13
14.

Are these Hi Utsuri?
15.
16.

My biggest fish: ? Ogon
17

I hope this will stimulate some debate!!

Hi Albie,

Remove #3, #4, #8, #11, #14 #16 and perhaps #9.

#15 & #16 are aka bekkos.

#10 is interesting. Perhaps keep for a few more years and watch the develpment.

You will be amazed at how the quality of the collection will imporve when you remove the poor quality koi.

Regards,
Chris

Thanks Chris

I actually agree to a large extent, but perhaps get some input from other members as well?

The easiest I suppose will be to use clove oil.

Replacing with small fish will be an art! I would al least like to have some relatively big ones in the pond- if anyone hears about people stopping the hobby, please let me know. (I find the show ovewhelming- you don't know whom to believe)

Chris Neaves wrote:

Hi Albie,

Remove #3, #4, #8, #11, #14 #16 and perhaps #9.

You will be amazed at how the quality of the collection will imporve when you remove the poor quality koi.

Regards,
Chris

I agree with Chris on the removals for a start

Hi,
Why not give them to some one who is starting.
If you have a problem at the show give me a ring and I will meet you to look around.
Regards,
Chris

I attach 2 better photos of nr 7. Thanks for the comments!





And a dog named Bunny

I will let them go in this order:

3
4
11
14
8
16
9
Also 10 (suppose to be Shusui but will deteriorate and the head is not clean, will loose all the blue)

It leaves you with:

Kohaku
Sanke x 2
Shiro Utsuri x 3
Shiro Bekko
Kumonryu
Yamabuki Ogon
Chagoi
Aka bekko
Golden Ogon

I see there is also a Kin Matsuba swimming in the background.

As Chris said once on this forum, a few bad quality koi in your pond takes away the glory of your good quality koi. Rather have a few good quality koi than a lot of good and bad quality.

Thanks everyone for the advice and participation ( I got some resonses from Koiphen, because I posted there as well)

It look as if there are quite a few that I can dump. I'm glad that in most instances, I agree (My wife doesn't- she really likes nr 3!!). For me as a hobbyist, one struggles to know what is good or bad, and then you spend money and buy one like nr 3. (Admin- I can assure you, my wife will not let nr 3 go!)

I attach a summary of all the responses. A cross obviously goes. In the last column admin indicated which he thought should go first.

Any other responses would be welcome- where are all the guru's?





The obvious next question would be- what to get?
I need a good Kohaku, I like the Tancho Kohaku- any other suggestions?

Hi Albie

If you ask me get rid of everyone except 12 & 13 and come to me and I will sell you some more good quality koi.

No seriously, I know every one say get rid of 10 & 11 but it is from a Kumonryu spawning and I think it will change with time. Kumonryu is always ugly when young. 14 is from a Kujaku spawning now ask your self does it look like a Kujaku if not do as Admin say. I agree with Admin on the rest of them.

I hope this help you in your quest.

Ok ok ok ok you may buy some from admin as well.

All the best.

Collin
PTA

Albie 13 = Chagoi

If you need nice Kohaku or Tancho Kohaku we will be haveing an openday sale on the farm on the 7th of Feb 2009.

Thanks Collin, It is obvious that you won the prize with your two!

So if anyone knows of someone that might want nrs 4, 16 and a white one, they can come and take them. PM me.

Albie

Forgot to add this one- also ugly to me, bought at the Cresta show 2 years ago. Go or stay??

I saw one like this at a dealer/pet shop here in Nelspruit a week or so ago and I actually like it a lot ... I did not buy it because I noticed some nasty sores on some other fish in the same tank.

Thanks Colyn

It remains difficult for me to see what is good/bad.

Why dont you comment on my origal topic? Would like to get another opinion
Updated:




Any more comments or are we buying now (very good quality, smallish (love big, but Im not a millionare) and cheap!!- the ompossible combination)

Albie I am most probably the least qualified guy here to give advice on what to keep and what to cull.

I bought all my fish as fingerlings and placed them in the ponds ... over the past 6 months they have grown and some have changed. The truth is that when you watch these fish you quickly realise that they actually do show some personality ... they have little things that they do that are unique to each one and their colour and shape is just part of the whole fish.

So I am wondering ... you have been with your fish for a long time ... surely they must each have something that you know and notice and in a strange way might be looking for when you go to the pond.

So unless you are dead set on becoming a serious collector with aspirations to compete then I am wondering why you would want to let any go. In my case I have now got a number of fish that is in the same colour pallet and I want a bit more variety ... so I will have to take a few out and replace them with something else. However I am not really in a hurry to do that. If all things are equal I will loose fish as time goes by and then I will replace.

There you have it ... a really silly but to me, special summary of why I cannot comment on what to keep and what to toss.

Hi Colyn

You've raised a lot of good points, but the pond is getting too full (8000l) and I want to get a few quality fish in. So, at this stage I'm not gonna get rid of most, but build the stock with a few extra nice ones (and they might die along the way!). So, it is just say three to go now, and get perhaps two small kohaku, because I think one should have at least a nice looking one in the pond.

Keep well. Will like to come and see your place if I am ever in Nelspruit
Albie

You are more than welcome