Sanke and Showa Koi: How can you determine the difference? [KOI GUIDE]

00:32 Base colour of Sanke and Showa
01:26 Sumi placement and head markings
02:53 Tejime and Motoguru
04:29 Difference in body posture
05:45 Difference in red colour
07:16 Every beginning is difficult
08:18 Practice: Showa or Sanke?
Sometimes it can be quite difficult to spot the difference between a Sanke and a Showa. In this video we will explain the characteristics of Sanke and Showa, and what the best characteristics are to distinguish between the two varieties.
First of all the base colour is different. Showa are black Koi, while Sanke are White Koi. With black Koi I mean that Showa have a black base. A young Koi that are only a few days old they are already selected based on their colour. Black ones are selected and all the white ones are discarded. On that black base, white and red patterns will appear.
As Sanke have a white base, black and red markings will appear on it. Often Sanke only have small amounts of black visible. And the black patterns are often smaller and look like small paint drops or dots. For Showa, the patches are large and start from the belly and can cover large areas of the Koi Fish.
So high over, how can you determine if it is a Sanke or Showa?
Normally the main characteristics are the black spots that you can use to determine if a Koi is a Sanke or a Showa.
Sanke have small sumi spots
On the head, Sanke normally do not have sumi. However Sanke can have black on the head as well.
Sanke Sumi can look like paint splashes or dots.
Sanke can have Tejime in the fins. Small black stripes visible in the pectoral fins
Sanke often have a slimmer body posture compared to Showa
Sanke have a lighter red colour
And what about Showa?
Showa can have Motoguru in the fins, large blobs of black visible in the pectoral fins
Showa have large patches of sumi
Showa often have a broader body posture compared to Sanke
Showa have a darker red colour
Showa can have black in the mouth and bottom of the head, eyes covered in black, black on the belly, black in all fins, actually they can have black everywhere
What you should know is that in the beginning it basically takes some practice to start to understand the differences. As soon as you start to know what to look for, it actually becomes easier and easier as Sanke and Showa clearly are different.
Take in mind that you always make use of multiple indicators. For example Showa can have indicators that hint towards Sanke, for example having black stripes in the fins instead of blobs of sumi. Always take multiple indicators into account!
Did you get a better understanding of the differences between Sanke and Showa? Let me know in the comments!
Thank you for watching!
And don't forget to subscribe for new video's regulary!
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[@yergzscale3513]

Always great videos. More power!

[@Aboutkoi]

Thanks! Glad you are enjoying!

[@saionnthia]

Many thanks for posting this Koi Guide. I have a growing Koi similar to the last fish that is difficult for me to tell if it is a Sanke or Showa. Will be looking closely today using your video as reference. Gonna follow your channel for more interesting posting, cheers mate!

[@Aboutkoi]

Hopefully you can manage to find the difference. Great to hear it was informative to you. Thanks a lot!

[@geraldnimo6764]

Very helpful guide thanks! 💖😊

[@Aboutkoi]

Thank you! Glad i was able to help you a bit!

[@bluefinx7984]

This is really helpful and really enjoying to watch.. can you make a video on how to determine whether a koi is male or female at an early stage?? It would be a great collection in your channel..

[@Aboutkoi]

Hi there, thanks for your comment and compliment. There is a video about how to determine male and female, you can view it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4nIqaeCgcmgbq8. It is however very difficult to do this at an early stage.

[@bluefinx7984]

@@Aboutkoi thank you so much!! I hope you continue making videos like these to educate people.. thanks again 🙏🏼

[@Aboutkoi]

For sure, enjoy! 😉

[@parattas]

Great video✌️ loving this channel ❤️

[@Aboutkoi]

Great to hear 👍, great compliment 🏆

[@jaredamans7744]

In addition sir, Sumi in showa are large patches that goes down-across the lateral line of the body. While, sanke has smaller spots (but sometimes a bit larger patches) that are on the top part of the body, it does not go down the lateral line. 😊

[@Aboutkoi]

There are some good ways to distinguish Sanke & Showa easily. Good addition! 😉

[@luispastorsanz5953]

Ecxepcional tutorials thank you, very interesting

[@Aboutkoi]

Thank you! I am happy to hear this compliment!

[@paysonterhune290]

How can you determine base colour? I feel stupid asking...but please tell me anyway..

[@Aboutkoi]

That's not a stupid question. You can use the indications that I provided in this video. The base colour for showa can be seen in the first couple of days, Showa baby koi are black while sanke baby koi are white. When they are older the indications I provided in the video can be used.

[@paysonterhune290]

@@Aboutkoi thank you so much....so when they are guppy sized you can determine the base colour?

[@Aboutkoi]

Yes you can see it with your eyes. But of course when they are larger and you know it is a Showa: you know that the Koi has a base colour that is black. When it is a Sanke, you know that the base colour is white.

[@high_fructose_corn_syrup]

Why do some have that yellowish color on their faces? Does it go away? Is it genetic or food related?

[@Aboutkoi]

It can be both genetics and food related. Usually when Koo become a bit older it becomes more white / egg shell white

[@mountainkoi9673]

Great explanation , thanks for sharing . I'll go and double check my koi now 👍

[@Aboutkoi]

Hopefully it will work out! Great to hear, thanks a lot 👍

[@tejjensen9402]

8:19. Admit it now! How many of you thought or shouted Sanke when that koi got in the tub ? I did! Thank you for your knowledge. That has helped me a lot. Waw!!!

[@Aboutkoi]

Haha, but that will never happen again now you got these insights 🏆! Thanks a lot for your compliments!

[@jeffr1311]

Lol sure did

[@Aboutkoi]

Ha! It surely is a showa though 😉

[@allanlocke6314]

EXCELLENT

[@Aboutkoi]

Thanks a lot! Started trying for your own Koi? 😃

[@tirtafirdaus1991]

Kindai showa 😀

[@Aboutkoi]

You got it 😉

[@nokia_3315]

please indonesia subtitle

[@Aboutkoi]

It should be possible to auto translate to Indonesian language 👍