Welcome SKACMAN!!!!

Graham wrote:I buy all my koi in the States. Please keep in mind that any koi that can be bought around here is a regular basic pond fish. It won't matter if the store calls it a regular koi or a AAA koi they are basicsly the same thing. All koi hobbyists have favourite fish and some of mine are what we call tateshita....

The Cow pattern would be either a Shiro Bekko or a Shiro Utsuri.........A Shiro Utsuri is probably what you looking for.

Just want to confirm with you Graham, if I find a Shiro Utsuri weather it be "regular koi" or "AAA" I am basically getting the same quality? I am not as "hardcore" as you for a lack of a better term, but I do want to invest into a nice Shiro Utsuri or two, should I buy local or order out?

Thanks Scott

No question...................Order out. If you're going to buy a small fish say 6'' then you want almost the dullest looking fish. Sumi/black pigment comes up to the surface with age and size. So what you're looking for is grayish areas under any surface sumi.

That surface colour will probably fade and what's underneath will be the finished fish.

At small sizes you buy the white and the body in this variety.

You should fly down to Orlando on March 12th.

http://www.centralfloridakoishow.org/

Wow I had no idea there was a Koi show down there, problem is I can't fly scares me to death. However, I might drive down. Thanks for the input on what to look for, so what should I be willing to spend on a small fish?

Great topic Guys!!

Great Link for Koi, Graham if it's okay with you i will add it to the links on our site!!

Wayne

SKACMAN wrote:Wow I had no idea there was a Koi show down there, problem is I can't fly scares me to death. However, I might drive down. Thanks for the input on what to look for, so what should I be willing to spend on a small fish?

You could spend anywhere from $30 to $1000 on a 4'' to 6'' shiro utsuri. ...but look at $100 for a decent fish.

There are koi shows up and down the East Coast.....If you drive down look for me in the show set area


If you really want to get addicted to this then register at Koiphen, Koi Shack, or Koi Bito. Koiphen is a good learning site.

Thought you might like to see these Scott..These two fish just won the top two prises at the San Diego koi show on the weekend

lets see if I can fix the pic

They are amazing Graham!!

Thanks for sharing!!

Wayne

Indeed! I love the color and pattern!

Wow Graham they are stunning, if my desire to acquire a Shiro Utsuri wasn't bad enough! I really need to get down to Orlando or at least order one in. Thanks for sharing that.