Montwila's 2013 KP Showas

[montwila]

Encouraging words Jim. I am afraid the beni is lost.

[kdh]

Is #39 veining from bowling?

[koisan]

Thanks. What type of food are you feeding and are you using a feeder? Frankly, I'm surprised to see that none of the grow out hit 18" so far. I thought some had pretty decent frame.

[icu2]

Frankly, I'm surprised to see that none of the grow out hit 18" so far. I thought some had pretty decent frame.

Don't forget we're in Washington state... S. Cal or Florida I think you might have a better chance. I could count the days my pond was over
70* ( and barely) on one hand, and now it's 53*.

[koisan]

Don't forget we're in Washington state... S. Cal or Florida I think you might have a better chance. I could count the days my pond was over
70* ( and barely) on one hand, and now it's 53*.

True...

[montwila]

Yes, KDH the veining is from bowling. It has cleared up now that it is back in the pond. I don't see any on any of the other fish.

Yes, Steve (#002) Thank you for the comment.

This pond did reach 72* for one day this summer. I think I had a week at 70* in that pond. Since I have been back from CA. the pond has been 50-54*F

Koisan: I am feeding KenZen and no I do not have a feeder. I would lose too much food to the skimmer.

[jimfish98]

Thanks. What type of food are you feeding and are you using a feeder? Frankly, I'm surprised to see that none of the grow out hit 18" so far. I thought some had pretty decent frame.

Mine was at 14 at last check. Warm FL waters and I could hit 18 by the time the one year mark comes up.

[montwila]

I am hoping for you Jim!

[koisan]

I'll be cheering for you.

Mine was at 14 at last check. Warm FL waters and I could hit 18 by the time the one year mark comes up.

Monte: how about sinking food or place a fine screen in front of your skimmer? Mine was the smallest in the herd and she actually feed well having the larger ones feeding around her. Maybe you need a friendly chag to lead the feeding?

[montwila]

Koisan:

I do a mix of kenzen in the lower pond. It includes both sinking and floating 7mm with some 5 mm floating also for the smaller fish (I had a 5" Ochiba in there I could not catch). I actually have a GR Chagoi that is the same size as the Purdins in that pond. Also a Shiro Utsuri who is about 14" and acts as the matriarch (if there actually is one amongst these fish) of the pond.

However you may have been referring to the feeding of the grow out fish that have not grown and were placed in the fingerling tank. They get a mix of floating and sinking in multiple sizes and brands. Some of the fish in this tank are 3" and the Purdins are the largest at 8+'. However a few of the Ochibas are almost as big. They have probably grown 30-40% in length since August. Same tank, same food. They just hang back and do not eat. The last week I have actually started tossing in a few kernals of kenzen 7mm sinking and the Showa will eat one of those. The pellet/kernal is too big for most of the fish in that tank to eat. That is why I tried it.

[koisan]

Koisan:

I do a mix of kenzen in the lower pond. It includes both sinking and floating 7mm with some 5 mm floating also for the smaller fish (I had a 5" Ochiba in there I could not catch). I actually have a GR Chagoi that is the same size as the Purdins in that pond. Also a Shiro Utsuri who is about 14" and acts as the matriarch (if there actually is one amongst these fish) of the pond.

However you may have been referring to the feeding of the grow out fish that have not grown and were placed in the fingerling tank. They get a mix of floating and sinking in multiple sizes and brands. Some of the fish in this tank are 3" and the Purdins are the largest at 8+'. However a few of the Ochibas are almost as big. They have probably grown 30-40% in length since August. Same tank, same food. They just hang back and do not eat. The last week I have actually started tossing in a few kernals of kenzen 7mm sinking and the Showa will eat one of those. The pellet/kernal is too big for most of the fish in that tank to eat. That is why I tried it.

We all have one of those koi that just won't feed no matter what you do... sorry. I do find that feeding them at around the same time of the day seemed to work the best as there seemed to be a biological trigger that get them excited right before feeding time when they know food is coming. I hope you will figure out what works best for you and your koi. Good Luck!

[montwila]

Thank you koisan:

Hopefully I will be able to get the QT/Hosp. tank sprayed soon. I have given up on trying to find "the leak".. Kinda the wrong description as it has never held water to begin with. Note to self: never cut the corners of your liner.

Anyway if I can warm them back up and they see 70* water then maybe they will put on some growth. Especially if they see the Ochibas passing them up.

[jimfish98]

Don't forget to get measurements and enter your grow outs into the Virtual Koi/Goldfish show, see how well your selecting and husbandry stacks against the others in the grow out.