Hi Everyone,
I've had my pond for 8 years and over the past 5 years I've been breeding several of my koi, so I understand the basics of getting fish to spawn, and rearing the fry, but what is definitely a mystery to me is how to select parents to achieve the best possible crosses from my stock. My best crossings have been Kujaku x Kujaku, which give a fair percentage of Kujaku, but also some Platinum Ogon, Kin Matsuba, Hariwake, and other very nice fish. I've also crossed several others, including Asagi X Ai Goromo, and Ai Goromo X Sanke, as well as some others. This past spring, I invested in some pure Japanese stock, which represent a major improvement in my pond. I do this mostly as a personal interst, and not for economic gain, but I definitely want to produce the best possible from my stock.
Here are my pre-2018 potential breeding stock list:
Kujaku (male used several seasons - great fish in many respects - about 25 inches)
Kujaku (female used several seasons - good fish but lots of orange to be a highly desirable Kujaku - about 25 inches)
Ai Goromo (male used several seasons - good quality - 7 years old, but not huge, maybe 20 inches)
Ai Goromo (female used several seasons - pond quailty fish - about 25 inches)
Yamabuki Ogon ( 2 males one darker and one lighter - both nice about 20 and 25 inches)
Hi Utsuri (4 males - only one is particularly nice that is 25 inches )
Asagi (3 males - only 2 are decent. 2 sub 20 inches and 1 about 20 inches)
Here are my 2018 additions potential breeding stock list:
Goshiki (female, breeder: Kawakami- stunning fish, very "Kuro Goshiki" in colors and pattern about 14 to 15 inches)
Kohaku (female, breeder:Dainichi - very nice about 20 inches)
Asagi (male, breeder:Oya -very nice, about 16 inches)
Platinum Ogon (female - very nice, about 10 inches. She may be too small for 2019)
Ai Goromo (sex uncertain but likely female -stunning fish, about 16 inches)
What I'm interested from you all is to look at my stock lists above and make some suggestions as to what might produce the best crosses. I appreciate the this is a tall order, but any general guidance would be appreciated. I'm open to any suggestions, but I'd like to make at least 3, possible 4 crossing in 2019.
I definitely want breed the Goshiki, but I'm very puzzled as to which fish to pair her with. Also, I'm considering breeding the Kohaku with my older Ai Goromo from top list who has produced Kohaku previously in two seperate crossing. I generally do crossing with one male and one female, simply due to the diversity I have.
Thanks in advance