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  1. #1
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Raising Koi Fry - Development progress & Pictures

    Fancied raising a few koi fry just for the experience it would bring but without the hassle of spawning my own Koi or buying from online sources.

    That's a big ask right?
    Someone within reasonable driving distance from me has to go through the hard work of spawning 1/4 million fry, hatching them, raising them on artemia and growing them to a size where they'll take dried food, and then giving some to me to have fun with!

    Davej is that person and he kindly allowed me to select some fry from his jumbo Showa spawning.

    Popped round and collected just 4 tiny fry (I think Dave was thinking, what is the point of having just 4, leaving him with the remainding 249,996 fry to manage by himself.

    The parents spawned on 18th May, eggs I assume hatched 5 or 6 days later, and I collected this tiny handful on Tuesday 25th June at 4.5 weeks old and measuring between approx. 18mm and 25mm.

    To make it easier to reference which one is which I'm going to number them 1 to 4 from left to right based on this photo taken on collection day:

    IMG_20190624_142554.jpg


    As they were initially going into a 2 foot tank I can also watch development from a side view which will also make it easier to keep track of which is which.
    Number 1 is the smallest,
    Number 2 is the grey one at the back
    Number 3 is the brown one at the front
    Number 4 is the white one.

    IMG_20190624_150504.jpg



    This 2 foot tank holding 30 odd litres of water is being filtered by a well matured 1000 litre per hour Eheim. The fry had to constantly swim for their lives in order to avoid being spun around in circles. My belief is the strong current will force them to develop quicker and eat more.

    They are being fed on Queni stage 1 fry powder.


    Last edited by RS2OOO; 15-07-2019 at 10:58 AM.

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  3. #2
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    2 days after collection - Thursday 27th June.

    I am feeding the Koi constantly when possible. The idea being to allow them to constantly graze throughout the day. If they spit food out then they've been fed too much and are full, so the best way to manage this is to feed small amounts, wait for the poo to start coming out then feed again and continue. They are getting at least 15 to 20 feeds a day at this stage.

    After Just 2 days there's already signs of growth, pic showing Koi 1 (smallest one - bottom left) Koi 2 (grey one - top left), Koi 3 (brown one) Koi 4 (white one):

    IMG_20190628_004846.jpg
    Last edited by RS2OOO; 15-07-2019 at 08:06 PM.

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  5. #3
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Before I post any further, can anyone guess what might happen to the colours next?

    In particular the brown one and the grey one, which look like completely different Koi at this stage - which one do you think might be the better one of the 2 and why?

    Any guesses on the white one and the smallest one?

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  7. #4
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion Davej's Avatar
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    Real interested to see how they go, what they have is effectively a tailored environment and feed for growth and space (at their original size) so in terms of development they should charge on.

    There is always the temptation to have just a few more fry; respect for limiting your numbers, that is what makes this potentially so valuable..

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  9. #5
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Maybe its a little too early for anyone to guess what the grey or brown ones will turn out like, me included, so here's the fry 1 week after collection at 5.5 weeks old, Tuesday 2nd July.

    They're now eating Queni fry food stage 3 (I skipped stage 2).

    Some colours starting to come through and Koi no.1 (smallest) is looking quite interesting, Koi 2 (grey one) is developing a tancho spot on his head but the rest of him is still grey, Koi 3 is still brown and horrible, Koi 4 (white one) has more beni coming through.

    Most of you will already know that white ones are culled out of Showa spawnings, but I fancied growing one on to see the end result. Could turn into a Kohaku, but more likely a Shiro Muji that will always have weak Beni. You never know though.

    Growth rate seems to be really good considering they're only in 30 to 40 litres of water. I'm convinced the extremely powerful water current (imagine 1000 lph in a 30 litre tank) is really helping this growth rate, but life is definitely tough for them at this stage, if they stop swimming for a split second they end up swirling uncontrollably around the tank bashing into everything . Obviously pump had to be turned off for the photos.

    I'm changing 12 litres of water every day (approx. 1/3) and water temperature is 26-28C at present.

    IMG_20190704_105456.jpgIMG_20190702_203137.jpgIMG_20190702_203450.jpg


    They are already too big for the 2 foot tank and prep work is under way to transfer them to a 5ft tank.
    Last edited by RS2OOO; 15-07-2019 at 08:39 PM.

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  11. #6
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    Brilliant well done Rs, I enjoy this part of the hobby seeing the colours develop and they are doing well for you mate.
    My odds are on the grey,dont know why but I have some similar.

    I am keeping my whites to see what comes out as it is all a learning curve,in fact I have kept them all except for deformed ones.
    Good luck Rs and keep us informed with their progress.
    John

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  13. #7
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Thanks John.

    I have been so lucky to obtain 4 fry from one spawning that are so very different to each other.

    Ok, odds are high that none of them will turn into a quality showa, but you never know.

    Based on pics so far Koi no.1, The small one, still seems to be very showa like, but the grey, brown and white ones look like 3 completely different varieties. Every single day is bringing surprises and the brown and grey ones are changing constantly.

    Could there ever be a time when the brown and grey ones become indistinguishable from each other???

    The answer isn't far away now.....

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

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  15. #8
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    2 Weeks after collection, aged 6.5 weeks old, 9th July.

    Having outgrown the 2 foot tank they're now in a 5 foot, 180 litre tank alongside 2 randy male Broadtail Moors.

    This tank has 2 Eheim canister pressure filters, around 12 litres of bio media, and turns over at 2200 litres per hour!

    Not only are the Koi eating significantly more per feed, but they seem to require masses of oxygen, far more than a single air stone can provide. I had to drop the water level 6" to get enough splash from the pumps to boost oxygen levels.

    The 2 moors are chasing the hell out of the Koi, not to eat them, but to make babies with them! They particularly like Koi no.4 (white one), - probably because he's easiest to see as their eyesight isn't great but he's the wrong one to pick on, keeps facing up to them and nipping chunks out of their fins.

    Placed a plastic plant in the tank as refuge due to the risk of the smaller fry being accidentally eaten or bit in half.

    The grey one, despite being 2nd smallest, can now take standard 3mm pellets but the others haven't managed it yet.

    Main diet remains as Queni fry food due to its nutritional value, one feed per day Silkworm pupae crushed in a garlic crusher, one feed of dried mealworms and a large late night feed of bloodworms to keep them going through the night.

    Water temperature is now down to 25C, partly because that's the temp the Moors favour, but mainly due to oxygen levels being difficult to maintain beyond 25C.

    They're big enough now to get their own individual pics....

    Koi no.1 (Smallest). Front half is colouring up nicely with a nice beni pattern. Back half lacks colouration. Viewed head on he's got a very pretty face.

    IMG_20190709_195737.jpg



    Koi no.2 (Grey one). The tancho spot is becoming very apparent. No beni anywhere else on the entire body. Looks to have a nice body shape.

    IMG_20190709_195707.jpg



    Koi no.3 (Brown one). No idea what's going on here but looks like 2 totally different fish from one side to the other, hence 2 photos (taken 30 seconds apart - It really is the same Koi in each pic!):

    MVIMG_20190709_200035.jpgIMG_20190709_195404.jpg



    Koi no.4 (White one) Still more new beni appearing even now, still the biggest out of the 4, body shape isn't my favourite but still reasonably good.

    MVIMG_20190709_200000.jpg



    As soon as they were placed in this tank with the bigger fancies, survival instinct kicked in and growth has been phenomenal with the biggest fry over 7cm.
    Last edited by RS2OOO; 15-07-2019 at 11:46 PM.

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  17. #9
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    What a difference mate you doing great must be fun every morning seeing what's going on

    Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

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  19. #10
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    It is mate, feel like a child each morning.

    Goldfish colouration is boring in comparison. They start brown, then go dark brown, then go orange, over a space of 2-3 months.

    The koi seem to change constantly and are noticeably bigger each day. Less than a week since those photos above were taken and one is knocking on 10cm now! Can't believe they're just 7.5 weeks old.

    Will update again tomorrow.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

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  21. #11
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion Davej's Avatar
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    Side on

    My take - 1 and 3 will be showa the brown is beni over sumi.. We like grey - that will likely fade as the Shiroji comes through.

    Best fish is likely to be no1 - IF the beni holds...

    Dave

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  23. #12
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Yonsai LouiseR's Avatar
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    Can I name them, or is that a ‘no no’?

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  25. #13
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by LouiseR View Post
    Can I name them, or is that a ‘no no’?

    They already have names.

    The small one, the grey one, the brown one and the Kohaku (what I call the white one).

    Please don't give them affectionate names, I'll get even more attached to them and don't have room in the pond for all of 'em.

    Dare I ask, What kind of names were you thinking of???

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  27. #14
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Davej View Post
    Side on

    My take - 1 and 3 will be showa the brown is beni over sumi.. We like grey - that will likely fade as the Shiroji comes through.

    Best fish is likely to be no1 - IF the beni holds...

    Dave
    You might be surprised when you see the latest pics of the brown one (but don't get your hopes up).

    I'll give you a little clue.... he's no longer brown!

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  29. #15
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Yonsai LouiseR's Avatar
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    I’ve named them after cocktails, seemed appropriate, but won’t say which unless you want as I understand the attachment thing (which is why I mentioned the ‘no, no’). Like the small one best ��

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  31. #16
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Go on then.... Seeing its alcohol related can't say no!

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  33. #17
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Yonsai LouiseR's Avatar
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    Ok - hope you’re sure ....

    Koi No. 1 - Mojito (my fav cocktail, my fav fish)
    Koi No. 2 - Vesper (potent martini, seemed right)
    Koi No. 3 - Gimlet (gin, gin, again seemed right)
    Koi No. 4 - Mai Tai (contains orange of course)

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  35. #18
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by LouiseR View Post
    Ok - hope you’re sure ....

    Koi No. 1 - Mojito (my fav cocktail, my fav fish)
    Koi No. 2 - Vesper (potent martini, seemed right)
    Koi No. 3 - Gimlet (gin, gin, again seemed right)
    Koi No. 4 - Mai Tai (contains orange of course)
    On those grounds Koi number 1 is definitely a keeper!

    If you've not been to Cuba before you need to, force fed Mojito's dusk till dawn!

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  37. #19
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Yonsai LouiseR's Avatar
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    Never been to Cuba, will put it on my bucket list!

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  39. #20
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Do Koi have a 2 second memory?

    Being in a tank right next to the PC I've spotted some signs of intelligence from the fry not witnessed before (Intelligence that hasn't been witnessed in the entire house as it happens, not just in the tank).

    The plastic plant protrudes out the water by a couple of inches. I throw food in and some lands on the leaves above water level. After the food is eaten the grey one (gimlet?) nudges against the top of the plant so the pellets fall into the water, thus grabbing himself sneaky snacks between meals!

    One of the filter pipes suctioned to the tank is very slightly curved / bent, only by a few mm. The fry swim back and forth along the back of the tank and as they got bigger started getting wedged between the pipe and the glass. They very quickly learned they could still fit between the slightly wider bit and the glass, so now they swim back and forth at 90mph sweeping upwards to fit through the wider bit, and they get it millimetre perfect every time.



    Edit, sorry Louise, got his name wrong, its Vesper, not Gimlet.
    Last edited by RS2OOO; 16-07-2019 at 12:50 AM.

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