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Thread: This is what drives me on
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23-03-2019, 08:44 PM #1
This is what drives me on
Breeding you own Koi is a load of hard work - the rewards in terms of satisfaction can be immense.
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miles41, keithatrax, Ajm, RS2OOO, Stuffyrat, freddyboy, john1, Andy1671, AlanF, Goonerharwood, RoyLittle0, Feline, digger, Dom G20, smartin Thanked / Liked this Post
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23-03-2019, 08:48 PM #21630 Gallon raised pond
4" 'Avenue' bottom drain
Estro sieve
Econobead EB60 bead filter
Sequence 18000 pump, 6000 pump on skimmer line
Elecro 2kW in-line heater
Evolution Aqua 70 air pump
Standard wall skimmer
Hozelock Vorton 55watt UV
and some nice koi
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23-03-2019, 09:00 PM #3
Impressive, I admire your hard work and the results, I can imagine it’s very satisfying
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23-03-2019, 09:08 PM #4
wow, some nice fish there Dave.
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23-03-2019, 11:09 PM #5
To get that number of true-to-variety koi from one spawning is no mean feat.
I've seen videos of Japanese Showa and particularly Sanke spawnings that have resulted in barely a handful of true to type young, and they know which parents should yield best results.
How many did you have to cull by that stage?
Out of interest what do you do with the cullings?
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Davej Thanked / Liked this Post
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24-03-2019, 12:18 AM #6
My primary Oyagoi is a reasonable lump of a fish and delivers a load of eggs , circa 300,000 hatch out.. Of these 15-20% will be black fry- I retain about 30% of these black fry (I can't handle any more) … These black fry will either be Showa or Shiro. I will then select again on deformative and size, maybe retain 15%. When the beni is visible I select down on beni placement. Repeat again on deformaties and beni and skin a couple of times..
There are too many low grade Koi in circulation. Selection is a difficult subject but is a reality you have to face if you allow Koi to spawn. It can be natural if you leave the eggs in the pond, (they get eaten) - if you protect the eggs you have to take responsibility for the consequences. The set I have would produce several thousand low grade Showa (if facilities existed to raise that number) , but my focus is on the handful of high grade koi and just maybe the 1 that is GC quality... The hatchlings get a sporting chance in the wildlife pond, later on some will go to club members that I am comfortable have the facilities to cater for them.
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24-03-2019, 01:16 AM #7
Wow! From a home spawning they look amazing.
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24-03-2019, 08:50 AM #8
awesome dave. some great looking fish there mate. you should be very proud mate, love it. I also looked at your pond fish video. there not fish.
there bloody battle ships. and everyone a stunner. respect mate.
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24-03-2019, 09:15 AM #9
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24-03-2019, 11:02 AM #105000 Gallon Fibreglassed Pond With 54" x 27" Infinity Window
BD300 Drum Filter
Artesian 0.5hp - Aquadyne 4.4c Beadfilter - PS4 Protein Shower
Badu Eco Touch - EP20 UV Sterilizer - ASHP - Venturi
Hi Blo 60 - Medo 45 - Spindrifter Bottom Drain
Wide Mouthed Skimmer
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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24-03-2019, 04:21 PM #11
Very impressive Dave
Colin
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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26-03-2019, 11:08 PM #12
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27-03-2019, 09:26 PM #13
Impressive Dave. Just to update you the three large (by our standards, not yours) Koi my wife and acquired from you last year have come through winter very well in the main Koi pond, are super healthy and are feeding greedily and it will be interesting for me as a novice of 3 years to see how they grow on.
The issue of lots of low quality Koi around strikes a chord. In our area (Kent) there are numerous garden centres and small aquatic dealers that sell Koi, along with goldfish, small sturgeon and so on. They are never able (or willing) to say where they get their fish from. There are certainly Koi breeders in the area who are also producing carp for the many fishing lakes around us.
I have wondered about lightly stocking our three wildlife ponds with Koi that a reputable breeder would discard as not likely to be of show quality. Still pondering this versus see Rudd or Tench. Dark fish are probably wise as we have seagulls, Herons and Kingfishers.
Will be very interested to see how your super impressive breeding programme proceeds. I know we can never emulate it.
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30-03-2019, 11:49 AM #14
Glad the fish are doing well, always interested to hear how things progress.
in a true natural environment you have to ask whether you really want the hassle of koi? The frustration that if something isn’t quite right with them then catching them is nigh on impossible? Ghost carp are a potential option? Rather more hardy than koi, but Rudd are real pleasing on the eye and nice and compliment the natural look.
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
Running heater at low temp?
Covering the pond with polycarb should be enough to stop water temps dipping below 6C for the most...