Hi Russel
These photos were taken a couple of years ago. There is a time dofference between them. The sumi has continued to improve.
Hi Russel
These photos were taken a couple of years ago. There is a time dofference between them. The sumi has continued to improve.
Here is one of the better ones we have seen in Japan....23" Female. Sold.
I have one that I got from Russell about a year ago I guess. (not sure Kari was suppose to sell it) It was young, 5" or 7", but very nice body and black everyplace except edge of gill plates and scales on lateral line. Tux seemed the fitting name.
It was in my garage QT for 8 weeks (Sept & Oct) and lost almost all the body black (little sunlight). It went back into the outside pond a month ago and the black is returning. It's around 12" or 14" now and looking female (not sure). I have high hopes for Tux... we'll see.
Brad
"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."
Albert Einstein
Bradley W. Olin
newest member of EIHIOICGI
My pond stuff can be found at...
My Pond Build
My QT Build
My CC-FF Build
My Active Carbon Filters
Hi Russell
I cannot find a recent photo on this computer. There is a photo taken in May that appeared towards the end of 2007 in the ZNA, Japanese, magazine called Nichirin. It is under the SAKKS Gauteng show.
here is a pic of my second best one that took reserve GC at the puget Sound Koi Club show last year. Burt ballou (akca) was head judge. At the time of the show, it was in a lot better shape and head was whiter than what it shows now.
The secret for me on tosai selection is to stay away from those with ribbon like patterns as they eventually go away and you get a basically white koi.
Look for them to look like this one with a black body, white head and a little white showing on the shoulder. This strong showing of black seems to stick with them as they mature.
Best breeder I know is Ito, his kumonryu are really good....
Wish i had a picture of my #1 fish that year....
Dick Benbow
"The Koi Coach"
member Team Purdin
Hello,
my 2 1/2 year old kumonryu has not changed pattern in over a year. Is there a chance it will not change its pattern again or it is bound to change its pattern over the years?
Thanks
Larry
I can't believe I missed this thread!!! I did a study of several kumonryu in my pond over a years time. I found the best ones started as all white. The ones that were small and had heavy sumi...turned almost all black. This is my favorite of the bunch...it won best kawaragoi at the pioneer valley show. Since this picture, much of the sumi has receded. I suspect it will return just in time for next years show The head has also yellowed up a bit...but, I think it is a female. So, I suspect when it drops eggs next year...I will see a much whiter head.
So, when shopping for one...I suggest: Excellent skin quality and high quality shiro. The rest is a crapshoot!!!
Here was the original group. #3 & 5 went almost all black. #2 is very nice right now...maybe even for a show in the future. #6 was shown above. #4 is my ginrin matsubawake...awesome right now!!! #1 matsubawake kicked the bucket
Also..look for ones with whiter skin...no blueish tinge.
with Kumonryu
I've learned what Brutucz just said.
if you want a good one when they get large get one with just a very small amount of sumi when young...the black will come...
Now what should you look for...
look for what won't change...like scalation..nothing makes a kumonryu more ugly than a messy or weak scale pattern.
So do not fixate on pattern
THINK SCALES
"Those aren't poodles. They're Dobermans with afros."
Darn it! I wish I had read this thread before buying my first Kumonryu this past Spring. I saw your a the show in person and it is very nice . She is the one that got me to buy this little guy at the show.
Happy Koiing!!! Water and nothing but water or filtration????
Koitoo
Keep That Fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
"Those aren't poodles. They're Dobermans with afros."
Thanks for the compliment. She was purchased at comets to koi and bred by blackwater creek. Yours is developing well...nice job!!!
I like for them to have some blue skin...blue skin is a hint as to where the Sumi will pop up...however I don't want a ku with ALL blue skin
"Those aren't poodles. They're Dobermans with afros."
Kumonryu are transient...the black and white go back and forth..That koi could stay white for two years and then come screaming back as a 26 inch perfect kumonryu...If the body conformation stays good and the scalation is good then KEEP IT.
and yes I said scalation is a main point when deciding on a Kumonryu. The scale pattern will not change....a doitsu has three different scale patterns
1 Zippers across the back and down the lateral line (the most desired by koi elitists)
2 Completely scaleless ( second and cleanest looking)
3 Armored...messy but "interesting" to koi rookies
Now on a six inch fish a slightly messy zipper pattern doesn't look bad at all. When the fish gets to a foot long that changes the scalation is easily seen and draws the eye to it..fragments of lines, uneven scales in size and placement; they are all very unpleasant.
On a kumonryu I try and go with a row of scales on each side of the dorsal and not an entire zipper, or a totally bald doitsu.
On an Asagi the three zippers are highly prized
"Those aren't poodles. They're Dobermans with afros."