Matsue Kohaku – Third Generation

— From here, we will follow the development process of the third-generation koi currently in our pond. The parent of this koi (⑫―A) is called 4D. What kind of parent is 4D?

Hiroaki: This koi is the offspring of a parent called Toka. Toka was the first of our parents to reach one meter.
— At two years old, this koi was a little slender, but I bought it because I thought the pattern was good. However, I hadn’t paid much attention to the parent. You have not spawned 4D for many years, have you?

Hiroaki: Just one or two years. It was the type of koi with the most pronounced fukurin.

—I see. And here it is, one year later, at three years old (⑫―B). The beni, which was still light at two years old, has gained more depth, though the body still lacks volume. At that time, I thought that even if I raised it further, it might not develop much body mass. But I decided to be patient, and at four years old, it reached 78 cm (⑫―C). Its growth was excellent, so I kept it for another year, hoping it would put on more volume, and by then it had filled out quite well (⑫―D). At five years old, it measured 83 cm. I expect it will gain more body mass over the next couple of years. Its beni has a gentle quality, yet with lustre. It’s a little different in type from our other koi.

⑫／Offspring of４Ｄ

― Next, let’s look at the offspring of Satsuki J2.

Hiroaki: Satsuki J2 is the offspring of a female introduced from Sakai Fish Farm.

― That was a spawning that produced quite a few koi with good patterns. This one measured 17 cm as a tosai when I acquired it (⑬―A), and by the following spring, it had grown to 31 cm (⑬―B). It was its appearance before being put into the mud pond. Then, after coming out at two years old, it measured approximately 50 cm (⑬―C). The once-deep sashi had tightened up considerably.

A year later, when it reached three years old, it had gained considerable volume (⑬―D). In this way, Satsuki J2 gives the impression of producing koi that really put on volume.

⑬／Offspring of Satsuki J2

This next one was purchased during the tosai sales (⑭―A). It is now two years old and 48 cm (⑭―B). Since it is a koi with strong, developing beni, I think it will be pretty interesting to grow it on from here.

⑭／Offspring of Satsuki J2

—The next koi is an offspring of Midori.

Hiroaki: This parent also came from the Sakai bloodline, but after spawning for about two years, it died. Its offspring have a very distinctive beni.

—With a kind of glossy look to it.
Hiroaki: Exactly.

—Here it is at two years old (⑮―A). I really like this type of beni. Then, at three years, it measured 64 cm (⑮―B), at four years, 69 cm (⑮―C), and now, at five years, it has reached 73 cm (⑮―D). Its growth rate is somewhat slow.

Hiroaki: Yes, compared with other parents, its growth is slower. However, the beni is stable and won’t fade or break down.
—This beni is stable, with no worries about higui, so it’s a koi you can raise with peace of mind. I think this is fine as it is.

⑮／Offspring of Midori