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
KoiStandard 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.
