KOI KICHI
101
It
is easy to explain the varieties, patterns and classifications of koi, but very
difficult to discuss and understand the level of "koi appreciation" as
we are at different learning stages of koi appreciation as a hobby. The best
ways to gain experience are to see more koi and visit more koi shows. One can
learn how to appreciate high-grade koi of many varieties by studying their
features such as body shape, volume, skin quality, texture, overall patterns and
pigmentation. Only then, can we reach a certain standard of accurate and proper
appreciation of the real beauty of Nishikigoi.
I would like to stress on this term 'appreciation' as individual preference or
taste for Nishikigoi varies from one person to another. As the saying goes:
'Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder'. This is indeed true when an amateur
hobbyist selects koi for his own collection or viewing in his pond. However,
when we visit koi ponds, there will always be high-grade and low-grade koi in
the same pond as within that pond, there will be some koi which are better in
quality than others. Therefore, serious hobbyists must continue to try to
upgrade their knowledge of koi appreciation by understanding the three main
factors of koi selection. These three criteria are: -
• Pattern
• Body shape and volume
• Color and skin quality
PATTERN
This is the most unique and wonderful
aspect of koi keeping, as until today, no two koi have the exact identical
pattern. There may be koi having similar type of patterns but different on body
shape, skin quality and color. Preference for pattern is very personal. There
are however guidelines laid down by ZNA Japan for the purpose of defining
patterns. Most common of all the patterns are the three-step or four-step
pattern on a Kohaku but the preference is for the hi (red) not to reach beyond
the eyes or nose area in order to maintain the dignity of the koi. My personal
opinion is that koi must be viewed and appreciated based on their overall beauty
by taking into account not only its pattern but also the body shape, skin
quality and color pigmentation. As there are no strict rules governing what is a
better pattern than the other, it is not necessarily true that a three-step
pattern Kohaku will win over a four-step pattern Kohaku in koi shows as other
factors must be taken into consideration when judging koi in a show.
BODY SHAPE AND VOLUME
This is a very important factor of koi appreciation especially for adult and
matured koi. A good body shape with sufficient volume will give a majestic
impression and enhance the overall beauty of the koi. Body shape and volume of
koi depend greatly on the bloodline and keeping technique of the koi keeper and
as well as the size and condition of the pond. Often hobbyists believe that a
young koi without a big body conformation will not grow to full size. This may
be a misconception as certain bloodline of koi will grow slower and take longer
time to reach its full potential in body shape. Certain bloodlines of koi would
only start to develop in body shape when it reaches three to four years old.
Hobbyists who acquire koi from such bloodlines need patience to see the actual
development. Thus, an understanding of different types of bloodline is essential
when one decides to buy a koi to meet his requirement.
COLOR AND SKIN QUALITY
This is a very attractive point for koi as there are many varieties and
different combinations. Once again, as individual preference prevails, certain
hobbyists prefer red and white such as Kohaku, while others prefer black and
white such as Shiro Utsuri. But knowing the difference in the quality of the color
is of utmost importance. There are different thickness and brightness of color
depending on the age, quality and bloodline of koi. Most hobbyists tend to go
for striking colors rather than high quality thickness of the color. A high
grade white skin is a delicate creamy white in texture with certain depth in it.
A high-grade hi (red) marking is preferred as thick orange red rather than
purple red. As for sumi (black), this depends on age and bloodline. Sumi should
be as black as possible, but younger koi of good potential display 'brown black'
as in Showa and 'grayish blue black' for Sanke.
We should always look at koi in its totality, combining all the factors such as
pattern, shape, volume and color and try to look for good points of the koi
rather than pick on the faults. There are very few koi, if any at all, that is
considered absolutely perfect, but there are many high-grade superior koi with
minor imperfections, which are accepted by judges due to size and age. Every koi
can be appreciated as an individual piece of art and one should appreciate them
as they are all unique in itself. The most important for koi keeping is that one
must have passion and love for koi.
Finally, the criteria for koi appreciation must be done by making comparisons.
It is not possible to assess a single koi without having others to compare it
with. Therefore, to learn more about koi appreciation, one should enter his koi
in koi shows. However, do take note that in a koi show, a winning koi is as
'good' as in comparison with the other competing koi within the same
classification and size grouping.
I would like to add that koi keeping is a growing hobby around the world and
your active interest and participation in the love of koi will help to bring a
better international understanding and goodwill among the koi fraternity around
the world.
KOI KICHI
A FISH WITH A BLIND EYE
In a recent koi show in San Diego both the grand champion
and reserve champion were blind in one eye. The Judges overlooked this because
the fish were that good and so much better than the rest. Both these fish were
also known from wining other events in the past. They won because of what they
had achieved in size confirmation and quality.
At AFKAPS the judges turned a blind eye to blemishes on
some fish for major awards because they were such nice fish. Sometimes when
looking at a fish we may not like it because of what we see or do not see. We
may have a blind eye to the fish’s achievements and be only looking for its
faults. Untrained or influenced by trends we may over emphasize flaws and not
recognize good traits in many fish. In most cases fish will have both good and
bad points. One rule of thumb is that a fish can have one or two minor faults
yet still be good fish and liked. A fish with a major health problem or fault is
not a good fish and will not be liked. In any case a healthy fish with less then
perfect show quality patterns are always more enjoyable then that perfect show
patterned fish that has not been kept well.
Ponds are similar. There are two basic types of ponds. One
is the koi pond and the other is the garden pond. A koi pond is built under
scrutiny about its ability to perform in maintaining water quality and koi
safety. It serves one goal and that is to maximize and maintain expensive or
high quality fish. These ponds are judged by their fish their filtration their
water quality and performance.
Garden ponds are built to look nice or enhance a garden.
They come in many different forms and most are less expensive or simpler to
build than a koi pond. However garden ponds often find themselves with koi in
them. This does not make them a koi pond but does bring the same scrutiny of
one. Fish health, water quality and performance will be judged.
All ponds can have one or two minor faults and still make
good ponds for koi and be liked. Few ponds have no perceived faults. The major
concern will be how is the health of the fish and what is the water quality. If
the water is good and the fish are healthy some things can be overlooked.
Here are a few examples.
Skimmers help collect leaves and debris. Many garden ponds
do not have them. They will collect more leaves and other outside debris if not
regularly cleaned. This will be a problem for water quality and fish health
eventually but if kept clean this fault can be overlooked.
Bottom drains like skimmers help collect the heavy waste
that collects in a pond from plants and fish. Without them some form of
vacuuming may need to be done. If fish are healthy and water quality is good
this can be overlooked.
Pre-filters make a huge difference in water quality and
maintenance but there are ponds without them that can maintain good fish health
and water quality but at the expense of regular maintenance.
There are more good examples but these are the big three. A
garden pond without them is more difficult to maintain but can be and if done
well and have acceptable results. So we can turn a blind eye to minor faults and
use our good eye to see achievement.
As
we all desire to have the best conditions we can create, I wondered, what
conditions we could agree are the minimum for appreciating and maintaining our
koi. In other words, what should be a Koi Standard Pond? As we all have
different size ponds, landscaping and disposable incomes, the tight focus, I
thought, is on the health of our fish and our enjoyment of our koi.
Standard: def.
An acknowledged measure of comparison for quantitative or qualitative
value; a criterion. A degree or level of requirement, excellence, or attainment.
Koi Pond Standard
Defining
a standard begins with agreed upon basic goals.
The
first, of course, is that we want to see our koi clearly for the joy of
appreciating their beauty and behavior. We want to see every part of them, the
depth of their colors, the brilliance of their skin, all the details within
their scales, the boldness of their patterns, and the spread of every fin. We
also need to see them clearly to spot problems that may arise.
Cloudy
green water from floating algae restricts appreciation and hides danger.
Therefore, it requires correction. Other issues such as koi wastes, uneaten
food, and rotting plant debris, as well as dead spots not cleared by water
movement, beside being unsightly, are potential festering labs requiring
appropriate maintenance.
Next.
however clear our water may be, it does not necessarily mean that it is healthy
water. That is water with the proper pH, ammonia, salt and nitrite levels. Other
factors that may need attention are general hardness and dissolved oxygen. All
of these have the potential of becoming problems that would place our fish in
undesirable stress, reduce their protective immune systems, and may even kill
them.
That’s
all there is. Simply, a Koi Standard Pond is one with clear
healthy water; no size limits, no specific filter system, algae remover or
oxygenator, and no stocking limitations. Provide clear healthy water and you
have a Koi Standard Pond. Perhaps the greatest benefit of Koi Club
membership is seeing the wonderful array of solutions our club members have
created, all with enviable results. Their achievements are a testament to their
skills, efforts, persistence and ingenuity.
As
a side note, a pond should also be easy and fast to maintain. This will assure
the pleasures of koi keeping for a long time. Arduous or unpleasant maintenance
routines will quickly be bothersome and skipped, leading to losing water quality
and perhaps a favorite fish.
And,
most importantly, the results of achieving a Koi Standard Pond is
likely to be well grown substantial fish and a very proud koi keeper.