ZNA America

sticks and stones may break my bones---

ZNA America — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:56:42 GMT

--- But names will never hurt me!" LOLs

well names may not hurt but they certainly can confuse us !!

I posted the article on Nomenclature so as to give the budding koi keeper a sense the sub-divisions that exist out that. Sub-divisions that break our hobby (and therefore both focus and commitment to details) into different hobbies. Hobbies that are just as different from one another as goldfish bowls are to tropical fish keeping and marine fish keeping.
In this conversion some of us got into the Japanese view on 'GOI'. I'll begin with a riddle:

ALL KOI ARE GOI
BUT NOT ALL GOI ARE KOI!!
CAN YOU TELL US WHY?

All 'koi' are common carp. But all common carp are not koi. And certainly all common carp are not Nishikigoi!

Our first ZNA chairman Kuroki San clarified this point some 40 plus years ago when he said ( paraphrase) that nishikigoi are a unique creation from Japan and that koi has become the short name for colored fancy carp and goi is the description of the magoi ( wild, feral or domesticated food magoi).

Nomenclature for the beginner (and not so beginner!)

ZNA America — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:37:24 GMT

Nomenclature for the beginner (and not so beginner!)

We have talks a lot about koi, koi varieties, variations and genetics ( including where Indonesian long fin ‘dragon’ carp fit in). And I still get the sneaking suspicion that USA judges and ponders are still not ‘solid’ in the demarcation lines?

So let’s try this----

Pond fish—any fish that can live in an outdoor pond. They might be any temperate water fish ( or warm water fish in Florida such as Africans). These fish belong to closely related families—common goldfish, fancy goldfish, Shubunkins, comets, mosquito fish ( hardy tropical), native temperate water fish like ‘sunny’s ( Crapies), colored carp, long fin carp, common carp and ‘koi’. They can live in a basic water feature for a while. But some only flourish in certain settings and therefore death rates are very high in pond fish in general.

Koi—as a sub-division of common carp with color--- Indonesian long fin carp crossed with ‘koi’. Colored carp automatically called ‘koi’ and Japanese nishikigoi called ‘koi’ for short. These ‘koi’ can originate from any of the many Asiatic countries that breed common food carp, tropical fish or colored carp. In addition, western countries also produce a basic koi product.

Japanese koi—those fish that are off spring of Japanese carp, resemble Japanese koi in their basic color mutations . this means that they can be produced anywhere in the world as long as they can trace lineage. They tend to be less expensive that true Japanese produced “Japanese koi”. Today, some of these sources are producing truly good show and pet koi.

Nishikigoi—a product of Japanese breeders originating in select areas of Japan that have lineage, are recognized as one of the 13 Japanese ‘koi’ varieties.

Show Nishikigoi—the upper 20% of all Japanese ‘koi’ production. As fry and youngsters they have potential to represent well the standards of each variety and as such, are called tategoi. the tategoi being a fish with potential and implied, good genetics.

Show koi and pet koi—the remaining grades of Japanese production that are male koi of excellent pattern and color and will be able to compete in koi shows in the pre-adult and young adult sizes. This might also include some female fish of good pattern that might represent value in the koi show circuit.

The next grade lower of Japanese ‘koi’ are a reasonable representation of nishikigoi and be considered pet fish of the highest quality. These fish are the heart and soul of the Japanese production and allow for the upper to 10% to exist as an economic possibility.

those members who----

ZNA America — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:15:25 GMT

For those members who would like to post please send your articles, thoughts and questions to my thekoiguy@aol.com and I will post them for you, respond or pass along your questions to the appropriate sources for answers. James Reilly USA ZNA District Chairman

why koi do that ? Question 2

ZNA America — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:18:48 GMT

2) In winter a koi is moving at the surface as the pond, swimming as if they are hypnotized. What is it doing??

Koi are cold blooded animals. And in temperatures below 46 F they loose control of balance. In fact, I recall in a winter trip to my friend's koi shop seeing a vivid illustration of this. This dealer has a massive modern koi shop and outside the shop is a large but shallow pool that holds some production fish. In that pond were a hundred shusui. It was a cold and windy day and I'd estimate that the temperature as in the high 30s to low 40s. But the wind chill made it feel a LOT colder. I walked up to the pond and ALL the fish were on their sides! I thought they were dying! The breeder just smiled and said in a heavy accent-- " just sleeping!"

Another important physiological fact is that koi that are in good condition entering winter will , as a response to colder water, begin to shift what muscles it uses as water cools. Nature is amazing. And cold blooded creatures have a tactical strategy to survive. Nature is also very practical and logic prevails-- if a block of muscles is designed to make a fish swim fast in quick bursts, it is great for escape. And when a fish wants to move fast it can uses these muscles along with the slower muscles. But in winter expensive muscle movement ( expensive being any muscle that requires a lot of energy at a time of year when energy must be preserved) is to be shut down. So the cold effect AND the physiological 'choice' to not employ certain muscel blocks all works to help the fish survive the winter. Movement is to be minimal and when necessary, slower, muscle mass can be used-- muscle that requires less energy " more miles to the gallon" so to speak. This does create however an odd wagging motion and not a lot of speed. Again a perfect harmony of limited movement due to cold and need to conserve.

So once again, study your koi, look for other symptoms that will give a better idea of normal vs abnormal condition/movement.

Is there a film on the koi?

Is the koi red or streaked with red veins?

Are the other koi doing the same thing or are they all resting on the bottom?

Are the fishes fins clamped or ragged?

These answers will all help to assess if the fish is trouble or just wandering and looking for the sun or away from a cold current.

Why koi do that? question 1

ZNA America — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:17:01 GMT

1) A few koi are seen ‘mouthing’ the pond surface near the walls. But no food is visible, what are they doing??

I put this one up as it is a great example as why we really need to know koi behavior in order to see problems early and also not to act or react too soon!

So when koi ALL rise to the surface and are 'mouthing the surface' in general you always need to think ' gills!' This can be seen along with OTHER symptoms of distress. Clapped fins, wobbling swimming, odd movements and lethargy.

But in my question-- a FEW koi are mouthing the surface at a specific location-- the ways.

It could be algae and that would be the end of that behavior lesson--- the lesson being that koi love to browse!

My question is a little more mysterious! They seem to eating something 'invisible'! And they are and it is!! When you feed fish a bit too often or when the temps are not right for the mix you are feeding, the system builds with DOCs. And these Dissolved Organic Carbons/Compounds are air loving molecules-- meaning they are attracted to the surface and settle/float in density around the walls of the pond. Now koi have better 'smelling devices' than Bloodhounds! The barbels lead them to smells. The oils and proteins of DOC are detectable to a creature that must forage in greens and mud for the slightest bit of protein (live dead or decayed). So the fish 'mouth and suck in' the surface water that is coated at the surface with good smells.

Koi your koi and its behavior will help the traumatized beginner ( from previous bouts with parasites and gill infections) from over reacting to this behavior--

remember

1) Are all my koi doing this?

2) What other symptoms do I see?

3) Are fish interesting in feeding?

4) Do my water testings check out o.k.?

5) Did I do anything different lately? new fish, new water changes etc

6) Are my fish just being 'carp'?

Why koi ‘do what they do’??

ZNA America — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:14:09 GMT

Why koi ‘do what they do’??

My second favorite subject after genetics of the clan Nishikigoi is – why do koi do what they do?

So I’m going to ask some questions and see if you know the answer:

1) A few koi are seen ‘mouthing’ the pond surface near the walls. But no food is visible, what are they doing??

2) In winter a koi is moving at the surface as the pond, swimming as if they are hypnotized. What is it doing??

3) Koi are entering the autumn season and all of the sudden the shiro Utsuri are looking better than ever! Why?

4) A koi is rubbing against one particular pipe in the pond. Over and over it swims to the pipe and pushes it body against the pipe. Why?

5) A new koi is introduced to the pond and the fish swim after it and seem to be most interesting in the new comer. Why?

6) A fish is anesthetized and when returned to the pond, all its pond mates follow it as if in a ritual. Why?

7) A koi looks like it is ‘chewing’ but no food has been added. Why?

8) A koi gets ‘cloudy’ as if a film is on its body. What does this mean?

9) A koi blows bubbles as it goes to the bottom of a deep pond. What does that mean?

10) You wake up and go out to feed your koi. The pond is covered with ‘suds’ and the fish are all at the surface gasping for air. What happened??

Shiro study-- Judges level

ZNA America — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:46:03 GMT

Shiro – Graduate level (Judges)

We have covered in a 101 class ;

1) The mutation of shiro

2) The concept of base color

3) The difference between selective bred shiro and natural mutation shiro

4) Hard white and soft white skin

Moving up to an even more in-depth understanding, I’d like to introduce to our student judges the different genetic types of shiro and how they make our koi very different fundamentally.

The nishikigoi clan can be sliced and diced in many ways. The most fundamental way being by their base colors. ZNA teaches us that koi are eitheir black based or white based. And this should be of no surprise as nishikigoi rises from magoi and specifically from Asagi magoi ( giving us white base) and also from Tetsu magoi ( giving us black mutation colors and also a different ‘branch’ of shiro/pattern).

Asagi magoi is so important because it carried both black and white base. The hyper-melanistic forms rising in the later Karasu clans and the Narumi asagi leading towards the true Leucistic forms.

These two avenues represent the ‘breaking out’ of combined mutation traits of white and black into two separate, yet parallel lines of change. And that in turn gave us two very different types of shiro.

To take the next step in Shiro study we need a bit of a genetics conversation – As just mentioned, Shiro in nishikigoi comes about from two very different sources/ways. And as far back as the 1960s the Japanese breeders knew of at least one of these sources as evidenced by the creation of white within the karasugoi clan and its systematic breeding program. This line of primitive black fish represents the extreme of hypermelanism yet it is also the best phenotypic example of a certain mutation gene.

This in fact is first shiro we can discuss. This gene is what the Japanese breeders called “the white spreading gene” and what modern geneticists might call the modification gene or the Epistatic gene. This white gene in effect ‘covers’ the real color of the fish! Put plainly, The base of the fish is black yet the white spreading gene expresses itself in place of the base color. This domination represents a hypostatic or suppression of the greater color and inhibits the expression of that color gene. To summarize, this white spreading gene covers and inhibits the true base black color of a koi. We see this demonstrated nicely in the progression from hypermelanistic crow to hajiro to hageshiro to kumonryu to shiro utsuri (in one of the two forms it exists in). As the white gene spreads over the fish, the fish becomes progressively whiter until the matsukawa bake and shiro utsuri look similar to white based derived specimens gotten thru another gene/route.

The second shiro, recognized as a more valuable shiro, is not from the spreading gene. But rather from another natural mutation or expression of Leucism. In this case, we have the skin itself drained of all color and when reinforced by a pattern mutation know as Pie bald gene, the effect is quite amazing! This is a dominate trait in dorsal patterned fish like kohaku but can ‘disappear’ in some of the offspring. Yet it is still carried by the black fish into the next generation. It is this complex that brings us BOTH black based fish (carrying shiro but basically black and mutations of black such as red) and true white leucistic specimens or white based fish. And as these two strains are isolated we see white based fish with dorsal patterns of piebald with very refined white skin AND we see black based fish like the showa, express Leucism within the skin as they age. This is a case of incomplete dominance when no piebald pattern is exists. Instead this gives rise to the wrapped pattern of base black partially replaced with mutation black (red) and shiro from Leucism. And interestingly enough, a DIFFERENT look to shiro utsuri than the other Leucism ( the white spreading gene) brings us! This is WHY there are two very different looks to shiro utsuri and to the amateur seems like the MOST improved of all fish after the Gosanke. In truth it is a different source of shiro and easier to improve than the spreading gene shiro’s.

If you study the white of the two forms of shiro (spreading and pure Leucism) and add the piebald pattern and understand the wrapped pattern ( interplay of shiro on sumi) and its genetics, you will begin to understand koi from a higher level and likely appreciate the nishikigoi even more that you did before you studied these two variations of shiro gene expression. JR

Free your mind---

ZNA America — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:05:42 GMT

JR here. Here again like that TV dog with the bone, on that commercial, who can't seem to rest until he knows his favorite chew bone is safe, sound and put where it should be!

When we enter this hobby we really are drawn to shiny, bright and deep colors (and especially their combinations) like red and black. Beni and sumi ARE impressive and Beni, especially, is THE art form in modern koi. With sumi being the very close second.

But as we get settled down in this hobby of koi as living (and aging) art, a new eye takes hold. And to the casual observer it might be said that koi appreciation moves to details and more subdued taste.

As Far back as 1970, teachers of koi appreciation as living art would tell every beginner that the white skin of koi is important because it acts like the canvas for a colorful painting. How wise that simple statement is when you embrace the science behind Nishikigoi's mutation skin.

And that skin really all begins with the dermis and its arrangement and characteristics of fiber within the maturing (and differentiated) skin.

But in the area of color-- there IS no more fundamental place to start that the color of that base skin. And I and others (and others before us) within ZNA have taught for so many years -- the base is either black or white with white being the key to refinement of skin TYPE.

I began this talk with separation of hard and soft shiro. They are different and one is more desirable and probably 'better based on the potential it holds. The other, the hard shiro, is also very beautiful in young fish especially. Why is that? Because as each skin type matures, it grows in complexity, with certain sub-divisions of the skin layers really expanding and making for MORE possibilities for the 'colorful painting within. A mature, complicated and remarkable canvas for, hopefully, a painting that deserves the base canvas!

If you're still with me, consider this--- nature produces a canvas that is of the material and 'blankness' that will set off in a three dimensional way, the grouping of sumi and Beni that expand within it and on it. This 'blankness' is so clear and devoid of any shading of sumi that it can only be described as 'pure'. Selective breeding can help here and if time is no issue, can be man made over decades. But nature and its desire to try all variations for survival will 'throw' much of this basic blankness from time to time. And so we 'perfect' white snakes, amphibians and birds-- pure as snow. And we see pure white fish. Breeders can then selectively breed for this trait to assure greater numbers than nature could or would ever produce in the wild.

What I've just described is the emergence of koi from goi. The missing link between the wild common carp and the domestic colored carp known as Nishikigoi.

As the old pop song said " Free your mind and the rest will follow” JR

UNDERSTANDING WHAT WINTER MEANS FOR KOI----

ZNA America — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:27:58 GMT

UNDERSTANDING WHAT WINTER MEANS FOR KOI----

Winter is a time where all the natural things of summer and spring ‘go to sleep’ and ‘wake up’ in spring to renew their active lives. Green trees, flowing water, jumping fish, crickets and frogs, all come alive again in the spring.

And we really don’t usually think much further about when the average ponders ‘puts their pond to bed for winter’.

But then there’s that pesky naturalist Darwin! He told us that survival is only for the fit! So what are the challenges that make for a better natural product? Could WINTER be one of them?!

If I haven’t reached you yet—I’ll shout! WINTER is one of those things that makes carp stronger as a species—that’s – “as a species”. It does not mean that YOUR pets necessarily will be spared the stress of winter!

Want to help them out? Yes of course you do----

So here are the things you need to know to allow your pets to survive the winter in Northern Midwest and in the east from the Tri-State area to the mid Atlantic region and from Oregon to Northern California.

First you need to appreciate and understand that koi are common carp. Inbred common carp with robs of amazing color and elaborate pattern—but common carp just the same. Winter is a test of their survivability.

So winter is BAD, then? NO not really. It is rather a challenge that carp have faced for some 40,000 years. And in coping with this condition, as four season fish, they have adapted. But here is the million dollar statement---as they ‘adapted’ they came dependent on winter!! True! Koi are conditioned to experiencing winter and because if that—they have actually become to need it. This is best demonstrated by their very breeding cycle and physiology that prepares them for an upcoming winter long before it arrives. They can’t KNOW that, but their biological clock does.

Think of winter as a tonic for preparing for next spring’s breeding cycle and also as a way to drain the excesses of spring and summer. For a carp’s job, like the ant and the squirrel, is to prepare physiologically speaking when the days are warm and long for the winter ahead.

Natural is fascinating in its wisdom and koi like every other subject of nature, is wise to the future and the rules of nature. Once the light becomes less intense and lower in the sky and night temperatures change, the koi works frantically to store sugars in its organs for the long winter ahead. And the point here you need to embrace is that you can’t stop this!

It is just as important however not to ignore this time of year. When autumn sets in your koi become very active. They are invigorated by the cooler night temperatures but are also aware of the shorter days of sunlight. They are well oxygenated due to cooler waters but also beginning to shift into the winter mode.

Your koi might be under ice or under a nice solar trapping tent—they are equipped for stasis—a condition of complete rest for cold blooded creatures. In either case, they are closing down all ‘non- essential systems’ like any good submarine or star ship commander might. This well be their life for the next 8- 16 weeks. Longer than that and ‘supplies’ start to run out. This is usually seen as disorientated fish wandering the margins of a pond in late March/ early April. Or heaven forbid, in the winter thaw of mid February.

Once spring comes, your koi will be fine and know that the experience, when done in a muted way, is healthy and part of a natural process and tonic. If done badly however it will mean the end of your koi.

The key here is to make sure your koi are in tip=top condition going into winter. Cover the pond and allow for an air space. Do regular water changes once a month. DO have an indoor pond as a precaution. Remember that the very young and the very old should not be exposed to Darwin’s law and should be brought inside.

In the end, when we take responsibility for living things we become their sole provider of living conditions. So do your best to be a responsible koi owner and help your pets to survive the test.

                                                           Best wishes,   James Reilly USA District Chairman.

Understanding sumi on a deeper level

ZNA America — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:30:02 GMT

Understanding sumi on a deeper level

By James Reilly USA ZNA District chairman

For those veterans in the koi hobby and show ring, talking about ‘Sumi’ is a pretty common conversation. But I’d like to challenge our ZNA judges to take the next step in understanding sumi.

We have all been educated as to the different types of sumi—we have diligently learned the Japanese terms, the breeders who introduced the types, the varieties that show these variations and we have even mastered the Japanese expressions of different tones and expressions for the basic color of black!

And to those that have made this journey and know their ‘sumi’ I salute you!

I have always found it both fascinating and rewarding to learn the old Japanese ways and explanations and then apply western biology and physiology to the lesson. For me it completes the circle and the lesson. What I have found in addition to that however, is that a greater synergy of understanding occurs when one has all dimensions of a subject in place.

In the case of ‘Sumi’ let’s see if we can’t assimilate some basic science (genetics in this case) into the Japanese explanation of what is ‘good’ sumi and what is weak sumi.

Before we get into the actual point of this lesson, we need to get some basic physiology down—

Sumi is a color cell. Typically found in epidermis, upper dermis and lower dermis, these cells (melanocytes) are often found amongst the fat cells of within the dermis. These cells can be large or small, numerous or sparse, dense and linear in arrangement or thick, dense and deep in concentration. These cells can also be covered and associated with luster crystals or with luster cells. And these sumi cells are storage facilities of naturally produced melanin. Melanin is a pigment that is derived from tyrosine, a common amino acid.

Melanin itself is a common component of living things. But in koi it is both a natural and selectively bred for trait.

And here in lies the deep lesson of sumi--- Sumi can appear naturally in individuals and they can be selected for to intensify that trait in future individuals. OR sumi can be better than even the results of twenty years selective breeding when it is derived from natural mutation. In short, when it comes to selective breeding results verses nature’s mutation for strong sumi we might say that “you can’t make a sumi mutation ‘silk’ purse out of a selectively bred ‘sows ear’!

To appreciate that statement let’s look at what actually happens when a gifted eye selects for sumi trait. In this case, we find an individual with nice sumi. We breed this fish in order to ‘introduce this trait into its progeny. And we patiently select the best offspring and repeat the process. This results in individuals that represent the best of the best within that gene pool. This is, in short, an effort to concentrate the amount of melanin in the skin thru the intensifying of cells and cell type.

Now let’s compare that to a natural mutation for good sumi. If you refer back to the points above regarding melanin being a natural metabolic function of simple amino acids to form pigment, what would happen if an individual was born with a mutation in this area? In this case, the animal or fish is born with a mutation defect that causes the individual to over produce tyrosine or in other cases, to be unable to ‘turn off’ production. In this case, we can’t stop strong sumi! Indeed it is harder to breed this ‘out’ than to breed sumi in’!

At this point the bright bulbs reading this will be saying “Ahh ha!!! So THAT is why he keeps going on and on about those principles 1-2-3 etc. ALL koi do have a black or a white base”!

This is also why the early asagi and the lowly Karasu goi are such important lessons in understanding color in koi. Each represents the living battle of melanin and its war with ‘no melanin at all—IE Leucism. As a side note: this makes shiro utsuri an amazing creation.

So melanistic forms bring us the very best sumi types. And selective breeding of melanin cells only can produce so much. Instead, selective breeding of individuals that possess genes for hyper-melanin (heterozygous) are important building blocks to excellent sumi (dense, deep and shiny).

ARE SHOW KOI HARDER TO KEEP THAN PET GRADE KOI?

ZNA America — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:28:59 GMT

ARE SHOW KOI HARDER TO KEEP THAN PET GRADE KOI?

This is a complex question. And perhaps it is a question that needs to be asked in two parts;

1) Are show koi harder to keep alive?

2) Are show koi harder to keep in good condition over time? ( another subject for another time)

The first question revolves around the Darwinian Theory of ‘Survival of the fittest’ and in that regard, show koi tend to be weaker versions of the wild common carp. Yet show koi ARE from large spawns in which lesser siblings tend to sold as ‘pet grade’ specimens. So this begs the question “how different could they be”? Well as it turns out, the answer to that question is—how reverted is that pet fish to its roots!

All koi are inbred to a degree. This is done to bring out recessive genes that give us that great color and interesting pattern. And nature is constantly there to ‘pull back’ the old dominate genes in what scientists call ‘atavism’ or reversion to the wild gene. So in a spawn of 150,000 brothers and sisters, some will indeed come out looking all the world like a wild type and others will be the ‘golden child’ and possess all the recessive genes and phenotype that the breeder is after. So we see near perfect pure white and red fry with elaborate stepped patterns and we also see brown or even all red individuals.

When we expand this reality we also see that some varieties tend to hardier than other varieties. And often it is down to how close or maybe better—how far we have moved away from the ‘look’ of the solid patterned, wild colored common carp. So breeds like chagoi, asagi, ogon, etc are expected to be hardier than refined fish like showa and sanke and kohaku. True enough if that were the ONLY criteria for survival. We must not forget one thing- the individual and its ability to adapt.

What this all means is that we must accept that our specially bred nishikigoi are indeed more delicate than their wild cousins the common carp. But they the range of ‘delicateness’ of our purchases can vary from individual to individual. That being the case, we need to handle and cater to our new purchase with the weakest individual prototype in mind. By doing this, we insure a good survival rate for all our purchases. Anything short of that will be playing a kind of Russian roulette with our charges.

This would not be a complete article however if we did not stop for a moment to discuss a universal physiological behavior that all living things experience while trying to adapt to a new stressful situation- and that is G.A.S. ! No not gas – but—GAS or General Adaptative syndrome. This is the physiological stress or physiological stressor that causes changes in other physiological functions such as immune response, circulatory changes, kidney function etc, in an effort to ‘adapt’ to change.

Our inbred koi still have coping powers and in some areas, actually better than a wild carp. But the individual might not. And because the G.A.S. sequence has stages to it, we can often receive new fish that are already along two stage II or stage III in this sequence of stress. Indeed, a live swimming fish can be, for all practical purposes doomed when we buy it and no matter how good our systems are and how sensitive we are to a new arrival’s needs, they fish is going to die as it is too far gone, physiologically speaking.

So how can we assure our new show koi survives as well as its sturdier wild cousins and even its ‘more reverted siblings’? Assume the fish is in need of support and move all new purchases to a quarantine system first. The quarantine water should be well filtered and of the highest quality. The fish should be allowed to settle in with dim light and clam conditions. Resist the desire to overfeed a new arrival. Instead, allow it a clam well aerated environment with some companionship. Keep the water lightly salted with solar salt (99% pure) a neutral pH and a temperature of 72-76 F. Resist netting the fish or disturbing the fish. In this setting your koi should ‘seem’ as healthy as any wild carp within three or four days.

( to be continued) James Reilly, ZNA NA District Chairman

This meeting date has changed to 1/28 same location and time

ZNA America — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:56:56 GMT

Dear Tri-State ZNA Chapter Members

Our next meeting of our Chapter will be held at The home of Philip & Denise Gray on January 21, 1pm at 211 S. Ocean ave Freeport, NY 11520

The Tri-State ZNA Koi Chapter is a social, special interest organization dedicated to the enjoyment of Koi through participation and education.

Our chapter meeting will be the best source for Koi information for the novice, as well as for the expert Nishikigoi (Koi) hobbyist. One of the goals of our chapter is to provide members with the most current information on the following topics: Koi history, Koi classifications, and detailed technical information on Koi. We will focus on helping educate our members and the public on all aspects of Koi Keeping, to promote the study of Koi and to assist hobbyists in becoming part of the larger community of Koi enthusiasts throughout the country and the world.

Our next meeting of our Chapter will be held at The home of Philip & Denise Gray on January 21, 1pm at 211 S. Ocean ave Freeport, NY 11520.

Our featured speakers will include: TBA we have a talk on What is Biological Filtration ?

We look forward to your participation. Please contact us for further information or to let us know that you will be attending our Meeting.

Contact information: email:philiegray@mac.com

Tele:516-967-4966

Nishikigoi Class room, lesson 101

ZNA America — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:53:20 GMT

Because it bears repeating----

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF NISHIKIGOI

As we have discussed on several occasions now, there are some basic fundamental lessons that every student of koi appreciation should understand before trying to understand the details of koi.

We can begin this discussion by talking about the fundamental genes (mutation genes) that are at the heart of all varieties of koi.

Historical data 1 - The nishikigoi is a creation of the Japanese people of western Japan. Niigata is considered the homeland of nishikigoi.

Historical data 2- All Nishikigoi are common carp and have derived from different strains of common carp, including wild carp, feral carp and domestic carp imported from surrounding countries originally and isolated for centuries in the waters of Japan. Over time, even strains of European bred common carp were introduced into lines of Japanese carp and nishikigoi.

Principle 1- all nishikigoi arise from four basic foundation strains of common carp or 'goi'.

Principle 2- all nishikigoi arise from one of two BASE color mutations. White or black. Not directly, but fundamentally, once two special gene mutations appeared.

Principle 3- all nishikigoi's varied colors arise from variations of four color mutations. It is important to understand that the seemly unlimited number of colors were not bred directly from these four color mutations but rather -- four color mutations exist within the nishikigoi's gene pool. Some of these colors are mutations (such as red and yellow) and dilutions (such as blue) and combinations (such as orange) of the basic colors of black and white. And others are due to the intensifying of the basic white and black color (Leucism or 'all white, no color' and hypermelanism or ' black on black’).

Principle 4 - All nishikigoi patterns (pattern orientation) arise for four basic patterns.
Solid, wrapped, dorsal and lateral.

James Reilly ZNA NA District Chairman

A conversation about scalation in show koi

ZNA America — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:06:55 GMT

A CONVERSATION ABOUT SCALATION IN SHOW KOI

One way to divide Nishikigoi as a family is based on their scales.

The dominating and most desirable group is the normal/natural scaled koi or WAGOI or Urokogoi. These scaled carp represent of the look of the wild common carp and are very natural in design and body line. Something that is highly valued in Nishikigoi.

The next group is the partly scaled or ‘scale-lee’ group known as DOITSU GOI and this group actually contains 2 variations (and one complexity).

The first of these, and the least desirable, is the scale-less carp. Also called a leather carp and known as KAWAGOI in Nishikigoi lexicon. If done well, with a neat lateral seam a kawagoi can be an attractive animal. Albeit less complicated and ‘easier’ to get than some of its cousins listed below. Please note that if this is the look we judge for, stray or random scales here and there on dorsal or lateral line are a demerit. You will see a lot of judges miss this within a well patterned fish. But we are judging the fish for its Doitsu traits and so poor scalation is a big problem.
Moving up the scale of accomplishment and desirability we next have the mirror carp or KAGAMIGOI. In the ideal the kagamigoi should have three rows of scales neatly lined up in rows from head to tail. One row on the dorsal/spine and two rows on either side of the fish arranged on/over the lateral line (mid-section side). These pronounced scales are an art form in and of themselves and represent a breeding accomplishment. Known as TAIRIN, these scales can be quite large and ornate, well ordered and symmetrical, and add to the beauty of the fish. It is key to appreciation to understand that doitsu scales are looked at just as wagoi scales are for judging purposes. That means that the quality and arrangement of gin and /or matsuba effect is critical. As is the neatness of the arrangement of those scales or koke nami.

And even though I mentioned that there are two varieties ( and one more complexity) created since the Meiji era (1904 introduction) it seems I have only covered two. This is because both the single lined scale arrangement and the three lines (back and sides) are grouped in the single term KAGAMIGOI. Yet the levels of accomplishment on the number of rows separates the ‘zipper’ from the full outfitted three zipper specimen! J I should mention that this is a debated subject as some do like the cleaner more refined effect of one row only along the dorsal.
To find a kumonryu, for instance, that has perfect rows of scales on both sides and along the dorsal is a thing to behold! So in the area of ‘accomplishment’ and level of difficulty, the three rowed Kagamigoi is higher ranked when ‘right’ than the single rowed kagamigoi.
In the past we have seen odd arrangements in the scales of some Kagamigoi. Scales that make up intricate mosaics of scales. This can be a wondrous affect! But it is rare and not bred for to my knowledge.
Hope this helped to look at the simple Doitsu in a more sophisticated way! James Reilly ZNA District Chairman

beauty is only skin deep

ZNA America — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:09 GMT

Beauty is only skin deep

But O how beautiful that good quality skin is!!

What is ‘good skin quality’? You might ask

We often hear the term ‘skin quality’ when the judges give their Sunday walk around talks at your local ZNA chapter show. And people often talk about a koi’s ‘skin quality’ as if it this thing that only the emperor with no clothes can see!

Well, as it turns out, there is a major difference between a wild fish’s skin type and a high quality domestic koi’s skin type. If both are healthy they both can be lovely to take in—health and luster make any fish’s skin look bright and glowing with color. And in both cases we can admire and be amazed by the look of the different fishes.

But high quality skin is a man made thing! It has properties that have been both accidently and purposely brought along over generations of breeding to be what it is today.

Let’s explore and put into words what good quality skin is in terms of appearance and then let’s go deeper into the actual components that make for that look.

First, like a lot of amazing art pieces, we are wowed by great quality koi as living art. Not only is the fish colorful, it is moving color and it is color that can absorb light to make it even brighter and at the same time it can reflect light back to our eyes- leaving an impression that viewers often describe as ‘ unreal’ or ‘surreal’. The very bright white of high quality skin seems to lose its hard surface borders and tends to give a glowing soft affect. Some describe it as fine glowing porcelain. Others call it ‘cream’ in a translucent porcelain cup (I like that one). In either case, you can see that high quality skin captures the imagination of the viewer. But the white skin itself only acts as the canvas for the true ‘fireworks’ of high quality skin. The color pattern within the skin lights up the fish! In very good quality skin, the colors of red and/or black, take on a density that makes koi true living art. In addition to a thick lacquer look, the color also takes on a three dimensional look within the translucent white skin as the fish moves. And the interplay of color at the margins of the color plate interplays with overlapping scales to complete the artistic effect.

In short, high quality koi skin is dimensional, bright, bold and living! Real but surreal. Nature’s rare genetic material forged by man thru selective breeding.

So how is this all possible? How can a fish become a work of art? And how can a man change a fish’s skin?

Well to understand that, we need a brief physiology review—a koi’s skin is made up of layers of different types of cells and fibers. The very top layer is a loose liquid like surface. The next layer down is a differentiation of the top layer and is made of surface color cells and epidermal cells. This layer like all layers is not a flat surface. Instead its tendency is to wrap each scale top and bottom much the way our skin layers wrap our finger nails. This creates the potential for the human eye to see into and thru the top layers and the bottom layers (if the skin is translucent enough).

The next layer down is ‘the money layer’! This is the dermis and it is the home of the scale base, some blood circulation, some fat cells, the color cells and the all important collagen fibers that ‘hold the skin together’. In wild carp, it is a strong layer that protects blood supply and the muscle below. In our koi, it is the canvas that displays the pattern and in that function, is as important in its detail as the pattern itself.

Let’s look deeper into the dermis layer. The collagen fibers of the dermis layer are primarily to create strength. Think of them as fibers of a good pair of blue jeans. They run in semi-different directions so as to make a mesh like structure within the dermis. But in high grade koi, these fibers tend to run more parallel than in a wild fish and the fibers themselves tend to be much more translucent, both these things allowing light to enter the dermis rather than bound back off the dermis as it does in light reflecting wild skin. Good skin does also contain very high quinine content. And this light reflecting substance is contained in special cells, embedded within the fixed scale as well as being ‘loose’ within the epidermis and dermis itself. This creates two effects-

1) An interplay with the collagen fibers of light absorbing and light reflecting

2) A glow to skin

3) And also a diamond dust affect that we in the hobby call Fukurin

Please note we have covered just the ‘canvas’ or good quality skin and already I think the reader can agree that high class skin in its highest form/grade is a thing of wonder!

But now we get to the feature of high class skin and that is the pattern------

High class skin if often, but not always, blessed with high class color cells. But let’s spend a minute on the pattern itself.

In high grade koi, the pattern, that is genetically programmed to grow and mature within the ‘canvas’, is very stable. Its edges and details are, for the lack of a better description, thick and very well defined. The plate does not split or fray. It is as structured as much as the body edges of the koi itself. It is, and this is important, a separate genetic event than the cells within it. That is a bit difficult to imagine initially. But it is important if one is to understand the nature of pattern and color.

Now for the icing on the cake! Color!! Great quality skin has intense color! This is accomplished in one of five basic ways—

*the size of the cells that hold color

* The number of the cells.

* The depth arrangement of those cells

* The mix of color tones of different color cells

* The mix and interplay of luster and color cells

This is very important in that, depending on depth, luster and density, the pattern will look either three dimensional or flat when viewed within the right or the wrong canvas. In other words, the genetic traits of the canvas, plate and cell color cell structure must match. Think of the odds!

Finally, something that most people don’t think about that much—the scales. The scales must be right. Some scales are large, some small, some too dense and some very delicate. Some add to the look of refined skin and some distract. The Japanese refer to ornamental traits on the scales edging. Some can really add to the look and some can be a bit too much. This might be down to a matter of taste but generally speaking scales must work with everything else we have discussed.

So now you have an over view of what makes for good quality skin in nishikigoi. To take this lesson further, this author suggests that you look at a lot of koi. Your best opportunity is at a ZNA recognized koi dealers shop or a ZNA sponsored koi show. And to own a few exceptional high class koi is of course another way to become intimately familiar with the details in this article. Remember, there are no perfect koi and it is just as important to recognize short comings as perfection.

Koi is a hobby for a lifetime. And as such, represents a life of lessons. Enjoy the journey!

James Reilly, ZNA assistant judge

longfins and nishikigoi : A Tale of Two Carps

ZNA America — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:29:09 GMT

Ya know I was thinking------- ( always a dangerous idea!) --------

If you look back on all the references and all the armchair theories of WHERE longfin carp came from, you begin to see two assumptions emerge;

a) that the appearance of longfin carp was a singular event

b) that longfins can be traced to that single source.

As regards a) We once had three theories that continue to haunt the myth surrounding longfin. The first is that some isolated couple breeding goldfish in the Pacific Northwest created longfins from goldfish and koi! Innocent enough, probably a real story and an honest extrapolation of a single event but hardly THE source for longfins as longfins are shipped in from all over the world. The second theory is that a single Japanese breeder using Indonesian longfins to bring size and vigor into his koi ( a varitaion of this is that the Japanese emperor ordered it and also that the nishikigoi breeding station came up with some hybrids from the emperor's Indonesian sources), created the longfin. Again, fact based but not THE source. We also have documented ( TFH publications) the importation of Blue Ridge domestic koi and goldfish producer as THE source of longfins in America-- again factual, close but no cigar. No cigar simply because the imports had to come from somewhere where there were more than just the few!

Well we've come a long way in this story and all should now know and accept that hypertrophy ( spontaneous mutation that causes organs or characteristics to become elongated) is common in fish family we are talking about.
Building on this spontaneous sport occurance, it is reasonable to accept that the strain of carp in Indonesia that showed hypertrophy ( long fins) was common and established by the 1980s. There is no doubt that the Japanese got an indonesian strain of longfin carp from Indonesia. And it may be that Blue Ridge's wholesale tropical fish exporter had indonsian longfin carp as well as the Chinese tropical fish trade has been well established since 1960s and used poorer southern countries for sources and grow out. But certainly, there is more than one story regarding longfin carp.
Indonesia is blessed with lots of water! And feral as well as domesticated carp live in captive and wild conditions. Indeed there are natural sub species of common carp throughout south east Asian and lots of trading for centuries to further mess up a nice and neat separation between wild, feral and true domestic strains.
And unlike the unique and one in a million chance of other countries producing nishikigoi ( a very complex yet consentrated mutation gene pool) , simple hypertrophy is not hard to produce in any country of the world. And also in the wild especially amongst feral ( once domestic) strains that already have this gene concentrated. Catching them then with other native tropical species is certainly possible.
Because 'longfin carp' come in so many distinct looks and shapes-- it is very likely that longfin carp are a complex of types and from multiple sources. This does not mean however that there are not prototype strains common in ornamental distribution chains.
I personally liked the first imports to Blue Ridge. While the Japanese described the carp longfins into Japan as large brown/grey ugly food shaped bodies of great height and vigor and with long flowing fins, the finglerings of Blue ridge were long and with the long whiskers that made the fish look very exotic- they also had large striking eyes with hypertrophy appointments at the nostrils-- true dragon look.
Finally the exporters of Thailand and Hong kong send over a longfin with a very short and globe shaped body ( a lot like a goldfish) and with barbels but rather short barbels for a longfin.
In all these cases, the most stunning examples are the all black, all silver, all yellow and kawari type longfin carp of the original Indonesia import look. A unique strain that really deserves the name Dragon carp. What a shame that we tried to make them look like Nishikigoi with long fins--a real left turn down a dead end. how great would it be if someone had the vision of the longfin carp as the dragon carp-- a long sleek kawari with long flowing barbels ( all four as a standard) and long flowing fins that made teh fish look like the chinese dragons of folklore. Now THAT would be something!! In black, blue, red, silver and brown and grey, yellow and grey and black and white.. very cool! JR

water quality in winter

ZNA America — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:53:01 GMT

sometimes its easy to forget that even though winter is here and I fish are not being fed anymore that water quality is still an issue if we expect our koi to be healthy and happy in the Spring.

Winter is typically a wet season in the northern part of the USA. Rain, slush and snow are enter the pond week after week in the months of January, Feb. and march. This can have a severe effect on pH and temperature as well as other chemical parameters in the pond.

Some creative hobbyists have used well water to help do water changes during winter. This can have mixed results! It is great if you have a warm water artesian well. But most have water from deep in the ground and 50-55F is usually the temperature of this water. Ironically this can act as a heating source in some parts of the country where the ambient water temperature is typically 40-45F. But the quality of the water, the oxygen levels of the water and the carbon dioxide content of the water must be known before this idea is tried! Very very important!
The other 'best' approach to this winter issue to to 'tent' the pond under poly carb sheets and/or green house plastic. this has two benefits-- it keeps winter rain and snow OUT and also keeps wind chill off the surface of the pond. koi keepers are always surprised when they see how much wind is a factor in how cold the pond water gets. A tent will also help keep thick ice cover from forming on the pond as it acts as a passive solar heat space. Finally when tented, the water can be changed just as it is in summer, albeit at a smaller amount ( 5-10% max) and less frequent time intervals ( monthly).

The lesson to take away here is ; your pond and fish are still alive and to a degree, under stress in very cold water. It is wise to treat them as trying to survive the rigors of winter-- in this regard there is mush you can do to make the experience less of a challenge. JR

SoCal ZNA show is coming! March 16,17,18 2012

ZNA America — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:10:12 GMT

mark your calendars! The big one is coming up! Two Japanese ZNA judges coming all the way from Japan and two of American judges to assist.

Remembering Ronald Reagan

ZNA America — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:10:00 GMT

This week marks the funeral date of Ronald Wilson Reagan, our 40th president. In light of that anniversary, we have included a note from our late president addressed to our Southern California ZNA chapter .

NorCal 2nd annual show date set for November 2008!

ZNA America — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:04:00 GMT

Northern California's NorCal ZNA announces the dates for it's 2nd Annual ZNA Nishikigoi Show - Nov. 15-16, 2008

   The site will be the Clarion Hotel San Jose Airport
    1355 North Fourth Street
     San Jose, CA 95112

    NorCal is ZNA North American District's newest chapter and also one of it's most active. To celebrate this special event, the chairman of ZNA America, Ron Goforth, will act as head judge for the show. We wish all the greatest success to the NorCal members in this undertaking. Supporting the show will be members from several sister chapters including SoCal ZNA, MAKC ZNA and Moto-kara koikai ZNA. Looking forward to a really great show!

Contact information :

   Show Chairman : Donald Dang Ph 408- 390-1938
                                                      cartoonzz@yahoo.com

   NorCal President: Larry Gill         Ph 510 - 352-7168
                                                      gelldu@sbcglobal.net