SELECTING BABY KOI IN JAPAN | Koi Fish selection [GOSHIKI SELECTION]

Selecting 90.000 Goshiki baby koi fish at the Kawakami Koi Farm. I’m joining Takashi Kawakami in Japan, owner of the Kawakami Koi Farm to do a full day of Goshiki selection!
Kawakami is a Koi Farm specialized in the Goshiki variety. The farm is founded in 1928, that means today it is already operating for almost one hundred years. Imagine how many Koi have been selected at this farm! So one hundred years of experience. Imagine the knowledge that this family has about breeding and selecting the Goshiki variety!
We are at fry mud pond that contains over 90.000 Goshiki that are 4 weeks old. All swimming around the surface, looking for something they can eat. It seems like the Goshiki are in a very, very good condition. Really active Koi, swimming around fast. At first sight that looks very, very good!
Koi swimming at the surface so actively is not something that I’ve seen at many other breeders. Now I have to admit this mudpond is really stocked highly with baby Koi.
For selecting Goshiki you can take some basics into account that are also used for selection of Kohaku. Which are white koi with red markings. If you know these, you already know the first basics of Goshiki selection.
Meaning we have to take into account the red pattern on the Koi. So some of the aspects that we do have to take into account during the first selection already is how the pattern lays on the back of a Goshiki.
We prefer to have multiple steps in the red patterns. The red pattern should surely not cover the entire body, we want white area’s to be visible. Preferable below the lateral line, no red is visible. So below the lateral line the Goshiki is white, and above the lateral line there is red.
The last part of the tail section preferable is white, just like what we also see with the Kohaku or Sanke varieties. When a Goshiki grows larger, the white last part of the tail will give a the Goshiki a stronger looking posture.
Then when we talk about the head of a Goshiki, then preferable the red lays between the eyes, just like with the variety Kohaku. The nose of a Goshiki is preferable white. Now of course it doesn’t mean if the nose is not white, that it won’t be selected. When the rest of the body shows a good pattern, it is totally fine. Especially during the first and second selection rounds.
On the head, there needs to be some indication visible that black is there. Usually right in the middle of their head, a black dot is visible. Typical what the Goshiki variety will show when it is young. But when it becomes older, you will see that the skin becomes thicker and the black won’t be visible any longer on the head. It will show up though everywhere in the white areas. Usually as like ‘moons’ that are visible in each scale. Like a net pattern, which makes them a very nice variety.
A breeder can only grow out a certain number of Koi. Simply because he needs sufficient space to grow out all the Koi. Overstocked mudponds will slow down the growth rate of the Goshiki and it will also increase the risk of diseases or other problems occurring during the summer.
Hopefully you enjoyed and liked the video. Please comment or like and consider to subscribe to our KZbin channel. See you in the next episode!
Thank you for viewing!
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[@OxAintAFanxO]

Thank you for posting there selection videos. I truly, truly appreciate these!

[@OxAintAFanxO]

I also think 9, 10, and 2 looks good. What are your selections?

[@Aboutkoi]

Thank you, I'm happy to hear you are enjoying them! 🏆

[@Aboutkoi]

Maybe I will come up with another video where I explain which ones are my favorite picks and why. I will keep that for myself for a little longer 😉

[@tpvang]

Another great video. Thank you for sharing! 👍

[@Aboutkoi]

Thank you for your compliment, nice to read!

[@colrobbo2821]

I'm looking forward to the next episode on goshiki thanks! 👍

[@Aboutkoi]

Thanks! Glad to hear. Most probably will be working on it very, very soon 👍

[@jardindelasierra]

thanks for sharing so much knowledge!

[@Aboutkoi]

Thank you! Happy to share!

[@nickrider5220]

Have been a subscriber for a while, but am really enjoying these baby koi selection ones again 👍🏻🍻

[@Aboutkoi]

Great to hear :)

[@michaela-be4le]

Once again very informative and filled with gorgeous koi ! 7, 9, &10 are my picks based on what you've said about red/white coverage, white end at peduncle and dark spot on head. Also I liked the body shape and larger size.

[@Aboutkoi]

Thank you! I'm happy you liked it, hopefully I was able to teach you something new. That are some nice picks. I'll perhaps cover my own favourite picks in a later video 😉

[@midorikoifarm4327]

thank you very much for making the video

[@Aboutkoi]

Thank you for your comment, I'm happy to hear you liked this 😀

[@emir_koi]

Great videos, keep the good job

[@Aboutkoi]

Glad you like them! Hope you learned something out of it as well 🏆👍

[@tejjensen9402]

I understand well that some koi fry do not manage the selection, but I simply do not understand that they have to die suffocating death stacked on top of each other in a bucket. Koi breeders should have more understanding and ensure a quick death for the koi fish that could not be used. After all, they are living animals.

[@Aboutkoi]

I can relate to that, indeed some breeders have 'better' methods for this. Not my favourite part of the process for sure... Wish all breeders would use for example anesthesia

[@Cleeon]

Hmm... I like to rewatching and comeback, to remind me and keep learning from japanese beeeder, they have a real dedication

[@Aboutkoi]

Surely they do have a dedication for excellence

[@Djst-zv1sv]

Ive only just found your channel i think its great ur english is better than mine and i was born here in liverpool great channel

[@Aboutkoi]

That is an awesome compliment, thank you!

[@ifafira9039]

Mantap2

[@arnoldjeanredula7489]

I love the number 10 i wish i have some japanese koi..i love it

[@Aboutkoi]

Nice choice! I'm sure you will be able to get some Japanese Koi in your country

[@andybaldeo4773]

Thank you for this video I learn do much and always looking for how to sort Goshiki fry.. Thanks again keep the videos coming

[@Aboutkoi]

Glad to hear that! Are you planning on breeding Goshiki by yourself? That will be really a great experience! Please do and share how it went!

[@andybaldeo4773]

@@Aboutkoi yes I am so it was a learning experience It will be my first attempt on goshiki

[@Aboutkoi]

Nice variety to experiment with. It is a bit more difficult variety. You will have less koi with potential most probably, just like with Sanke

[@andybaldeo4773]

@@Aboutkoi if I use a male goshiki and a female kuhaku will I get goshiki koi or should I use sanke female what u think

[@Aboutkoi]

Yes, you will get Goshiki indeed. Takashi was using 2x male Goshiki together with 1x female Kohaku for the 90.000 Goshiki mudpond that you have seen in this video 😀

[@PaulsKoipond]

Some nice fish ...would look good in my pond mate 😉

[@Aboutkoi]

Thanks 👍. For sure it would be great to grow out some baby Goshiki in your own pond 😀. Do you have Goshiki by yourself?

[@shaffeeqteemul6954]

3 and 10. 3 has a nice distribution and white before the tail and 10 has avery nice 3 step pattern very bold in the middle and the half side on the side.

[@Aboutkoi]

Nice choices! Thanks for watching and sharing your opinion!

[@laurenceklunder]

Top video man! bedankt voor delen! weer wat wijzer waar we op moeten letten :D dus op een kohaku maar dan met wat zwart erin (Y)

[@Aboutkoi]

Dank je! Eigenlijk inderdaad in de basis een Kohaku patroon ;). Althans, vooral in de eerste fases is het belangrijk om daar op te letten. Datzelfde geldt overigens voor jonge Tosai. Ook die selecteer je het liefste zo licht mogelijk, hoe donkerder ze al zijn om jonge leeftijd - hoe groter de kans zal zijn dat het zwart te intens zal worden of over het rood door trekt.

[@laurenceklunder]

@@Aboutkoi dus vooral de witte fry houden zeg je dus als je opzoek bent naar witte vissen. volgens jaar ga ik namelijk zelf babys kweken :) ik kan niet wachten !

[@Aboutkoi]

@@laurenceklunder Wanneer je Goshiki wilt hebben met weinig rood moet je inderdaad witte vissen met weinig rood selecteren. Maar voor Goshiki is dat overigens niet top. Je kunt dan beter kijken naar mooie Kohaku patronen. Of je smaak moet natuurlijk zijn dat de vissen gewoon veel wit hebben, dan kun je die altijd selecteren natuurlijk - Je hoeft natuurlijk niet altijd de 'boekjes' te volgen ;)

[@Rod-bp8ow]

Kohaku and shinbunkin are similar, they have plenty of specks of colors, the vibrant the colors are, the expensive it is, based on the grade as well as the type of waters they are bred, has numerous factors that can make it as premium, average, or above average when it comes to its grade, price, and lifespan. The longer the lifespan the better since that is the importance of breeding, for them to grow, multiply and not to have illnesses and disease, specially the rare ones, since they date back from the Tokugawa, Nara prefectures. It is a tidious work, yet rewarding for breeders since they are thousand years old breed. Its worth the effort in growing them.

[@lonivogler6449]

I would keep 3,4,9,7,10 their patterns and bodies seemed stronger 😊

[@Coloradokoi]

3,6,7 look good in my opinion

[@Aboutkoi]

Nice choices! What makes you pick these instead of the others?

[@stevenlane2641]

I would select to many, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 all seem to have nice patterns and good shape. I would find it hard to throw away so many fish, surely a good portion of not selected fish would turn out to be as good as the ones in my local garden centre. I completely understand the need to only gear the best of the best to get the best price for each koi. I found it a little uncomfortable to see the buckets of rejected fish, don’t think I could ever be a breeder. If you have a kohaku female and a Showa male, how many varieties is it possible to get? Another excellent thought provoking video. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe and well.

[@Aboutkoi]

I'm quite sure you picked some of the better Goshiki out of these 10. I also have to say the picture is not super sharp, and of course it is more difficult to select from a picture than seeing it in a real situation. I'm happy though you picked these. The ones I'm showing in the picture are surely not 'bad' Goshiki as well - I can probably cover and explain that in the next video when people would like to see that. So yes, I can believe these already look like quite nice Koi that are sellable for a local garden center. When you start breeding that combination, I think you will most likely get Kohaku fry mainly out of that breed. You can of course just try it out next spring, trust me you will have a lot of fun and a great experience growing out the small baby fry. Thank you for your comment & stay safe 😃

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

Very nice video thanks.

[@Aboutkoi]

Thanks to you! Hopefully it was insightful! 😃

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

@@Aboutkoi Thanks.. To tell you the truth I have culled for a greenhouse garden center where they have a fisheries department. They do a couple spawns a year. I help them cull for a couple weeks a year for the last three years. All my koi I got when they were very very small. I got to pick my own as a reward. You can see them on my vid of reintroducing koi. Thanks

[@Aboutkoi]

Great experience, you should keep doing that if you have the possibility to do so! Nice to learn and experience what happens when certain varieties grow out. have you also selected Goshiki during the last three years?

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

@@Aboutkoi I do it every year. I have learned that their showa for the most part that the hi disappears.. Now if it is a heavy sumi covering it. Then the hi will come through. I mainly cull the kohaku ochies and chags along with showa and sanke.

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

I wasnt able to do it this year because of covid

[@dippifiedwanderer9043]

😂 i struggle to make a choice in much more developed nisai....this seems to be an impossible task. Anyhow, 4 would be my choice. Kuchibeni is icing on the cake😁

[@Aboutkoi]

For your own pond I would really suggest you to look for a nisai when you want to get a Goshiki. Tosai is too unsecure how it will develop. So if you want to have a little bit better and clearer view on which direction it will most likely develop in, get a nisai 😀. Number 4 is indeed a nice choice, nice Kuchibeni!

[@dippifiedwanderer9043]

@@Aboutkoi my fellow hobbyist is looking to buy a nice goshiki. Where/ how could i share the goshiki options for you to help?😊 in these matters more opinions is always welcome.

[@Aboutkoi]

He can of course share it in one of the social channels we are active in, feel free!

[@omwidibercerita4658]

Weh ketat ya seleksi ikannya

[@Aboutkoi]

Yes, the selections are quite strict. It's the only way for breeders to get the quality standards as high as possible! Thanks for your reply

[@omwidibercerita4658]

Thanks and matur nuwun

[@Aboutkoi]

@@omwidibercerita4658 Thank you as well 👍

[@morphergaming0531]

2, 6, 7 good torpedo shape, stepped orange against white, white tail and black head scale

[@ultimatefishkeeping]

Six and Ten are the Two Goshiki I would pick, simply due to the patterns being more symmetrical and in a beautiful Three step form, also the Orange/Rec does not cover the full head and mouth area is white. Thank you very much for sharing this amazing information, it is very important to know those aspects. Also we can appreciate more the hard work and care that the breeders invest into making sure that only the best quality of Koi go out for distribution. 😊

[@Aboutkoi]

Six and then for sure are two very nice picks. Thank you for sharing! I'm glad you are enjoying the content and are learning from it as well.

[@ultimatefishkeeping]

@@Aboutkoi My pleasure Sir. 😊 Indeed I am. You also do very well to explain all the important Key points. You are very knowledgeable and this is a very good thing. Keep up the good work. Thank you very much for sharing, I always appreciate it. Have a nice day Sir.

[@Aboutkoi]

Thank you a lot, that are some very nice compliments! I'm very happy to hear you are enjoying. Thanks for your comment and have a great day! 😃

[@ultimatefishkeeping]

@@Aboutkoi My pleasure Sir. Thank you.

[@cleberzavarize8834]

Congratulations for your Channel! We dont have goshiki in our region . How can i get them by crossings? Kohaku + asagi? Keep going!

[@Aboutkoi]

Ah really? In what region do you live? The oyagoi (parent koi) of this 90.000 Goshiki in the video is female Kohaku X male Goshiki. Thank you for your compliment, appreciated!

[@cleberzavarize8834]

@@Aboutkoi Brazil, santa Catarina state in the south.

[@Aboutkoi]

Nice! I didn't know in Brazil Koi were kept as well. Great to hear!

[@patricericketts8686]

2,10,7, and 6. Please let me know which were selected

[@koi4437]

9. 10. 2 . São os que escolhria na minha seleção para crescer mais

[@Aboutkoi]

Nice picks there!

[@BlackHatMediaVids]

3, 5, 9, 10, colour and good size.

[@Aboutkoi]

Nice! What makes you pick these over the other Goshiki visible?

[@BlackHatMediaVids]

@@Aboutkoi markingings, good size for age and body shape

[@Aboutkoi]

Can only agree with you 😉

[@billyturner9124]

What happen to the baby koi not selected

[@gilangignasraharjo6138]

3, 10, 6, 5

[@Aboutkoi]

Some nice choices, what makes you pick these four goshiki?

[@bazinga-ftw361]

I'll look at 6,5,10,9.

[@Aboutkoi]

Sure nice picks. What makes you pick these over the others?

[@Kazza1111111]

Do they sometimes select the less traditional patterns, just to see what the would grow into? I would be curious to see that!

[@Aboutkoi]

For sure yes, also the more traditional. Do you kwam the more classic goshiki with deeper black scales?

[@Kazza1111111]

@@Aboutkoi Yes they are very pretty! Did that variation start out as a selection 'accident'?

[@mister8116]

3. 7 and 10

[@Aboutkoi]

Thanks for sharing!

[@praveensree634]

What happens to the discarded koi babies in the selection process

[@Aboutkoi]

Hi there, many Koi that are discarded by breeders will become fishmeal in the end. Some breeders do take them apart to grow them up as low class Koi. Or some sell them at a really young age.

[@queniegica1617]

Yes...goshiki...my favorite variety of koi.. Can u tell me the price range of this quality goshiki? Btw #10,#9,#7/#4 for me.. The body shape..

[@Aboutkoi]

Goshiki indeed is a nice variety. Really interesting development process. I have no clue about the price for these Goshiki. The breeder won't sell them in this stage. Some nice picks you have there😀. Are there reasons you don't pick the others?

[@queniegica1617]

@@Aboutkoi i just choose the one that has an obvious pattern already and have the body proportion.. The other wer small and their body wer not proportion.. But we cant put the others aside.. Bcoz its still too early for this stage.. But #3's belly is too big and not proportion.. #1 is too small.. #4's head is too short.. Its just wat i observe.. But its for my side only.. Cuz im not a professional and not even a breeder.. I just love koi..

[@Aboutkoi]

You are right that it is a little bit too early at this stage to only look at body formation. They are a bit too young for this. Thank you for sharing your eye and observations. It's nice to read this and see what other think about certain Koi at this stage. That's the nice thing to share about this hobby, the passion for Koi 😃

[@oscarjosephmorcen5315]

I wonder what Will happen to those not selected ? Will they throw it away ?

[@Aboutkoi]

That depends a lot on the breeder. Some breeders to take all apart all Koi they cull and grow them out a little bit larger to a size of around 7-10 cm. During winter these will then be sold to Koi shops or fish stores all around the world. Other breeders completely discard them, since they do not have sufficient space or resources to grow them up.

[@edrianjaytalle681]

Its hard to select. Teach us how to select tosai.

[@Aboutkoi]

Sure, I will make a video later on Tosai that are about 8-10 months old 👍

[@depyros3619]

9 and 3

[@Aboutkoi]

Nice!

[@jbtravelssolo7596]

3 2 and maybe 9

[@Aboutkoi]

HMm nice choices, have you watched the video where I explain which ones I would select? See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHq7qY2Oh7plb6c

[@dt2745]

10 abd 3

[@15mincandle]

OK I did

[@Aboutkoi]

You did select Goshiki as well? 😉

[@fallenrocket7283]

Is there a way to buy baby koi to start in my koi pond from these breeders? I see single fish but nothing on small frys.

[@Aboutkoi]

Hi, it's usually not that simple to get boxes with baby koi from these kind of breeders. But it surely is possible to get small size. Maybe you can ask at a local Koi shop if it would be possible to import a box with really small sized Koi?

[@fallenrocket7283]

@@Aboutkoi I will definitely do this maybe I'll get lucky. Thank you!

[@Aboutkoi]

@@fallenrocket7283 Good luck!

[@DaHappyHeathen]

1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10 They all have orange b/n they eyes and black dots on their heads

[@Aboutkoi]

I see what you mean, yes indeed the black should be visible. It is one of the criteria for Goshiki at an early stage

[@geoh8241]

I don’t mind taking those you dumping lol

[@Aboutkoi]

It would still be fun to grow some out. But I still think most of these you wouldn't most probably pick out of the Koi store when you are going to buy a Koi for your own pond

[@jaimedagdag432]

i select 3

[@Aboutkoi]

Nice !

[@christianduteurtre770]

Bonsoir à tous . Les Kois de mon bassin ont frayés le 1er juin 2023 . A ce jour , je me retrouve avec environ 500 baby kois dans 2 bassins différents . un bassin naturel et un artificiel . Je suis admiratif car novice , sur leur évolution future , chaque jour elles se transforment , m'apportant énormément de satisfaction . La maman shiro utsuri et le papa présumé sanké , l'avenir nous dira . Trés belle réussite , souche kois du japon . Passionnément . Bonne soirée à tous . Tiantian .

[@rexvsionph]

What will happen to those did not make to the selection?

[@Aboutkoi]

This is something that depends on the breeder. For some breeders the fish that are not selected are placed in a pond where these can grow a little bit larger, to sizes of around 7-10 cm. Then being sold during the winter. Other breeders discard them completely since they don't have the resources or time available to grow them up further.

[@rexvsionph]

@@Aboutkoi Thanks for the information! 👍👍

[@Aboutkoi]

You are most welcome!

[@bartplug7002]

4 10 9 7 en 4 vooral omdat ik benieuwd ben wat het wordt. Hoe die ontplooid

[@Aboutkoi]

Mooie keuzes! Dat blijft misschien wel het mooiste, zien hoe het zich zal ontwikkelen in de komende periode!

[@dippifiedwanderer9043]

Im curious about his/her comment on koi no. 4. Thats my favourite pick.

[@aholiabtegar3036]

What happen to the unselected baby koi?

[@Aboutkoi]

That depends on the breeder. Some breeders do take them apart to grow them a little bit larger and sell them as low class Koi all around the world. Other breeders do discard them completely and it might be that they become fishmeal

[@aholiabtegar3036]

Thank you, very helpful

[@Aboutkoi]

You are welcome, hopefully you enjoyed the video

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

3 5 6 8 9 and 10

[@Aboutkoi]

Yes! Nice picks. Are there reasons why you didn't pick for example 2 and 7?

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

@@Aboutkoi From the quick view of number 2 I am not sure I liked the shape of its head. Frog head look. Number 7 not sure I liked the small pattern on the tube right before the tail.. I wouldn't cull it my any means. Wasnt sure it the beni was strong either.. Again I wouldnt cull at that stage. I def could be wrong

[@Aboutkoi]

Seems like some good reasons. Thanks for explaining. It's a bit difficult to see for number 7, not the best picture to see this properly.

[@seancoffey4111]

Would it be possible to buy the koi that thay don’t want as feeder fish for predator ponds I would love to talk to the breeders to see if I could get the ones that don’t want as feeder fish for a predator pond

[@Aboutkoi]

I think for some breeders that would be fine. However some also use it as 'feeder fish'. I think though that shipping etc. will be really expensive to your country

[@seancoffey4111]

@@Aboutkoi I’m in Ireland I’ve had koi sent to me before it cast me less to ship them from there than it cost me here

[@Aboutkoi]

Ah, alright that is quite a fair price then!

[@geoh8241]

I see they dump the others into a super packed bucket are those going to be killed and dumped???

[@Aboutkoi]

It depends on the breeder. I think this breeder does, indeed. For him it is not worth the effort and space.

[@mjscrubs9506]

3

[@Aboutkoi]

yes that quite a nice Goshiki. Did you see my follow-up video where I explain about which ones I would select? Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHq7qY2Oh7plb6c

[@himalalwis6860]

Is it possible to buy these baby koi?

[@Aboutkoi]

Most breeders do not sell these baby koi. They just grow them up during the summer with selections in between. And if you can get some baby koi, it usually are the ones that the breeder doesn't want to grow out by himself

[@himalalwis6860]

@@Aboutkoi i would love to grow koi from this age

[@Aboutkoi]

It is fascinating for sure! Maybe you can find someone where Koi spawned in their own pond? You could even bring some eggs home for example to try and grow them up

[@indranawajayanta]

3:11 ???

[@Aboutkoi]

I think you spotted the blueish dragonfly! Nice catch

[@theuglybitchinsweden]

10 och 7

[@Aboutkoi]

Did you watch the video where I share my prefered picks? I share it in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHq7qY2Oh7plb6c

[@shenuhans]

How to connect you ?

[@Aboutkoi]

Hi there, you can connect to me here 😉. However I do not sell any Koi

[@brant22156]

I really hope the unselected kois are kept alive.

[@Aboutkoi]

That depends on the breeder. Some breeders do take the unselected Koi apart and grow them up. Others discard them completely, mostly because they don't have the facilities and space available to grow all the baby koi up. That's why many of them make strict selections