23 replies to this topic

[chilligirl]

Any idea what this koi colour would be called? (S)he is an Israeli koi I bought a few weeks ago. When I bought it, it was solid deep yellow/gold with the black netting/pinecone effect and the black around its eyes. Looked like this fish, but with white fins:



Now it seems to be turning into a white and yellow fish with black netting/pinecone.

Any ideas what it will look like when it's done changing colour?

Here are some pics from today (not great as it's overcast)

[koikeepr]

ah, let's see. Well, I would say this is a classic mutt. Something in the hikarimono family...matsuba mutt is probably the best I'd peg it at...kin matsuba...if you really want to try for a stretch at a close breed. It needs some meat on it's bones---feed! feed! feed before winter hits so it has enough body reserves to survive the winter. Fins are a little shredded, so you'll need fabulous water quality so that they will repair. Time will fix that.

Sorry to change the subject. I see the tail in the first photo of what looks like a watonai on the right. Where did you get it? Is it a wakin? the tail looks longer and flowier like my beloved watonai.

[chilligirl]

Cool thanks! I took some better pics today, will post them a bit later.

Fins aren't shredded - small tear in one of his ventral fins, but otherwise his fins are perfect - they just look shredded because the rays are white and the finnage in between the rays is clear.

The tail in the first pic belongs to one of my orandas, "Oscar"

[nc0gnet0]

I actually think some of the "mutts" are prettier than the so called "pure breds".

[chilligirl]

me too although there are some beautiful purebreds.

I posted more pics in the gallery

[DrDave]

I agree with koikeeper that this guy could use a hamburger with extra cheeze. Is this one eating when the rest of your fish feed? I would watch him and see.
If you look at the head to body ratio, this guy is thin.

What are you using for food? Besides the regular Koi food and some fruit, ours eat steamed rice and love it. If you try this, do not put much in at first. What they don't eat is easily seen on the bottom.

[nc0gnet0]

I bought a small koi at a local pet shop with a big head and small body.........loved his color though......Will this even itself overtime? I figured he was just mall nourished but was unsure if the damage is permanent. He does seem to be fattening up nice however.......

[nc0gnet0]

On another note, it seems that there needs to be more categories for show koi as there seems to be 100x the different varietions then they have slots for. Interestingly enough, as I watched and participated on ebay of several koi auctions, it was these uniquely colored koi that consistantly went for the higher price.

[nc0gnet0]

What would you call this?

[chilligirl]

yeah, he's eating, but I haven't had him very long. I'm feeding a mixture of three foods: laguna koi & goldfish pellets (maintenance), Hikari lionhead, and a food called Legacy Koi and Goldfish Food.

The last one is a less common food here (bought it at the pond store), but, reading the ingredients, is high quality. It's 40% protein and 7%fat and has beneficial bacteria in it (microbe-lift). It's a growth formula.

I've only been feeding once per day, as much as they'll eat in 5 minutes. Should I up the feedings to 2 or 3 times per day until the weather starts to cool? I don't have much summer left before things start to cool off here.

If this guy is still too skinny when it's close to time to stop feeding regular food and switch to wheat germ foods, I can bring him inside and put him in my 90g with my fancy goldies (if I can catch him).

How do my other fish (in the gallery) look for weight?

[DrDave]

Being in Canada, I would feed him as often as he will eat to fatten him up for the cold winter.
Others who are in your climate might want to chime in here and offer some advice on winter prep and feeding before the cold.

[chilligirl]

thanks for the tip!

Just to clarify, I'm in Canada, but I'm in Zone 7b/8a (depends which chart you look at). BC's Lower Mainland - it's quite mild (for Canada, lol).

[koikeepr]

chilligirl said:

thanks for the tip!

Just to clarify, I'm in Canada, but I'm in Zone 7b/8a (depends which chart you look at). BC's Lower Mainland - it's quite mild (for Canada, lol).

Even better! that will give you more time to fatten him up. He's got a large head, so your goal is to help his body grow into that big noggin he's got. Focus on his specifically in your pond while feeding, so the other fish don't get what's meant for him. Sometimes the newbies are a bit more timid than those fish that have been in there awhile and they'll sit back and wait. Try to throw stuff right at him.

Also, as Doc said, try things other than just koi food. My guys love small green peas. I just buy 'em in small cans, and they eat 'em like candy (plus, it's good to prevent constipation in fish). Things like krill (which you can buy freeze dried in your local petshop) look like little shrimp, and they can help a fish bulk up. I'll chop up earthworms and toss the small pieces in, which are great for protein. Get creative about ideas.

[chilligirl]

I've got krill (for my turtle).

I can feed peas - I feed them to my indoor goldies once a week. However, I thought peas were high fiber and low calorie? For trying to bulk him up, shouldn't I focus on high protein/fat/carb foods?

I can feed him some blanched yams (high carb and healthy)?

I also have a variety of frozen fish foods: krill, daphnia, bloodworms, brineshrimp, mysis shrimp, and a couple mixes. I can feed those.

What is the best food for putting on weight?

He's not shy about the other fish - he's the biggest (length) fish in the pond and gets right in there. He IS shy about me though, so I have to stay nice and still while he eats or he won't surface for the food.

How do my other koi look for weight?

http://www.gardenpon...pics-t4348.html

[DrDave]

From what I can tell, they are all healthy.