INTENSIFYING COLOR

INTENSIFYING COLOR REQUIRES FIRST, THE SELECTION OF THE PROPER FISH STOCK. THAT IS, THE GENES IN THE FISH FROM THE BREEDER WILL DICTATE THE ULTIMATE COLOR INTENSITY OF YOUR FISH. OUTSTANDING KOI ARE USUALLY DESCENDANTS OF FAMOUS BLOOD LINES. BREEDERS TRY TO SATISFY THEIR CUSTOMERS. SOME CUSTOMERS WANT TO BUY CHEAPER FISH THAT ARE INTENSELY COLORED. THESE CAN ONLY BE SMALL FISH BECAUSE LARGE FISH ARE EXPENSIVE.AS A RESULT TO SATISFY THIS MARKET BREEDERS DEVELOP FISH WHOSE COLOR PEAK EARLY. THESE FISH WILL LOSE THEIR COLOR INTENSITY RAPIDLY AS THEY GROW EVER LARGER. THEN THERE ARE CUSTOMERS WHO LIKE TO GROW THEM OUT TO 20-24 INCHES. THIS WILL USUALLY TAKE 3-4 YEARS. IN THESE CASES THE BREEDERS TRY TO RAISE FISH THAT WILL COLOR PEAK AT 22-26 INCHES. THESE FISH USUALLY COST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $1500-3000.WHEN THEY ARE 9-12 INCHES AND 2-3 YEARS OLD. BY THAT TIME THEIR PATTERNS ARE MORE STABLE AND HINTS OF THEIR FINAL PEAK COLOR BECOMES MORE PREDICTIBLE. THE LAST TYPE OF CUSTOMER IS THE ONE WHO DOES NOT CONSIDER PRICE A LIMITING FACTOR THE GOAL IS TO TAKE TOP HONORS IN THE BIG TIME SHOWS.TO WIN IN THESE BIG TIME CONTESTS, THE FISH MUST BE AT LEAST 30 INCHES LONG AND HAVE OUTSTANDING BODY SHAPE AND COLOR.THESE FISH MAY BE 8-12 YEARS OLD AND MUST BE IN TOP SHAPE. (AT THEIR PEAK IN EVERY SENSE)THE AVERAGE COLLECTOR WILL NEVER SEE THESE FISH EXCEPT IN JAPAN AND ARE OUT OF SIGHT IN COST! THE BREEDER USUALLY HOLDS THESE BEAUTIES UNTIL 5-8YEARS THEN THEY PASS THROUGH SEVERAL HANDS BEFORE THEY ARE "FINISHED", MEANING THEY ARE AT THEIR PEAK! BUYING A CHAMPION AFTER THEY PEAK IS A LOSING PROPOSITION BECAUSE BY DEFINITION THEY ARE ON THEIR WAY DOWN. WHAT THEN CAN THE AVERAGE COLLECTOR DO? THE ANSWER IS DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHAT CATEGORY YOU FALL IN. THE GENERAL RULE IS PROVIDE THE BEST WATER CONDITIONS POSSIBLE. YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH FILTRATION OR WATER TREATMENT. IF YOU CAN SEE THE BOTTOM OF YOUR POND AND THE WATER LOOKS DRINKABLE THAT IS THE MINIMUM STANDARD. THEN FEED THE MOST NUTRITIOUS FOOD AVAILABLE.FEED COLOR ENHANCING FOOD WHEN THE RAPID GROWTH PERIOD IS OVER.(8-10 INCHES) DO NOT FEED FOOD BELOW 60 F, FISH WILL GET FAT AND FEMALES WITH EGGS MAY NOT REDIGEST THEIR EGGS AND LOSE THEIR GOOD SHAPE. ONCE A FISH LOSES ITS DESIREABLE FORM IT WILL NEVER GAIN IT BACK.

 

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