AKA Reporter Dec 2014-Jan 2015

December 2014 ‑ January 2015
AKA
Reporter
JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN KOI ASSOCIATION INC
www.akakoi.com.au
AUSTRALIAN KOI FARM
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TEL: (02) 4774-8180
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Breeding and selling pure Japanese Koi
and pond & bio filtration construction
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AKA Reporter
December 2014 - January 2015
Administrative Members and contact details______________________________________ 2
President’s Report___________________________________________________________ 3
Meeting Notices and Agendas, New Members, AKA Auction Dates___________________ 5
AKA Committee Meeting Dates________________________________________________ 5
KSA Auction Dates __________________________________________________________ 5
Koi Critique - Tancho Showa __________________________________________________ 6
All about: Impact!___________________________________________________________ 9
Do It Yourself - Koi Pond Trickle Tower________________________________________ 20
Tokyo Terry’s Japanese Koi Terms_____________________________________________ 23
Tategoi of the Year _________________________________________________________ 24
AKA’s 34th Annual Koi Show__________________________________________ back cover
Thank you to our advertisers...
Australian Koi Farm __________________________________________ Inside Front Cover
Koi Keeper’s Supplies_________________________________________________________ 7
PondToss _________________________________________________________________ 8
Australian Pet Supplies______________________________________________________ 19
Buy, swap and sell__________________________________________________________ 23
AKA Members’ Supplies_________________________________________Inside back cover
For all advertising enquiries please contact Gordon Kilborn 02 9153 9012 or 0429 664 916
AKA Reporter is published by the
Australian Koi Association Inc.
ABN 91 669 147 584
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Gordon Kilborn 02 9153 9012 or 0429 664 916
Newsletter production www.petergibson.com.au
All correspondence to:
The Secretary, Australian Koi Association,
17 Westmore Drive, West Pennant Hills NSW 2125
D e c e m b e r 2 01 4 — J a n u a r y 2 01 5
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this
magazine are those of the authors, and
do not necessarily represent those of
the Australian Koi Association or its
management. Nor does the Association
accept responsibility for the claims
made by advertisers or members in
respect of any service or items offered
for sale herein.
Scan this tag with your phone
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© 2014 Australian Koi Association Inc.
1
The Australian Koi Association Inc.
Patron
Professor Simon Chapman AO PhD FASSA
Executive Officers
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Public Officer
Ian Andrews
Graham Fameli
Carol Durrant
Bryce Hough
John Rhodes
0418 255 897
0412 304 190
(02) 9834 4993 / 0415 655 063
(02) 9755 2850 (Ph/Fax) / 0408 882 025
(02) 9661 4735
Committee Members
Show Coordinator
Paul Miglionico
(02) 9862 0472 / 0415 834 529
Show Support Group
Graham and Lee Fameli
0412 304 190
Martin Rocliffe
0407 475 757
John Ling
0411 156 648
Boun Keakham 0434 232 271
Rene Smeets
0423 481 155
Kevin Wong
0418 182 818
Membership Officer
David Durrant (02) 9834 4993 / 0414 834 499
(Subscriptions to 3 Coolong Crescent, St Clair, NSW 2759)
Supply Officers
Ron and Max Farrugia
(02) 9533 2546 / 0403 029 532
Auction Master
Bill Youl
(02) 9629 2968 / 0412 700 638
Assistant Auction MasterGrahame Fameli 0412 304 190
AKA Reporter
Editor
Photography
Editorial
Advertising/Distribution
Ian Andrews
John Ling
Kate Andrews
Gordon Kilborn 0418 255 897
0411 156 648
(02) 9871 2483
(02) 9153 9012 / 0429 664 916
Committee Support Panel
Publicity
Alf Mizzi
(02) 9555 6497
Librarian
David Tu
0418 689 698
Catering George and Betty Ludbrook(02) 9602 2493
Social Secretary
Vacant
Sizing and Assets
John Rhodes
(02) 9661 4735
Webmaster and FacebookVacant
Table Show Registrar
Barbara Walter
(02) 9738 1320
Website www.akakoi.com.au
Facebook www.facebook.com/AustralianKoiAssociation
Life Members
Ethel Allen*; Jack Cohen*; Mary Cohen; Max Farrugia; Ron Farrugia; Barbara & Bryce Hough;
Arthur Johnston; Gordon Kilborn; Yvonne Louis; Betty & George Ludbrook; Dorothy Miglionico;
Paul Miglionico; Ken Newton; Dave Pogson*; Arthur Robinson; Alan Walter*; Barbara Walter;
Harry Watson*; Robert Wood*; Heinz Zimmermann
*Deceased
All correspondence
Australian Koi Association, 17 Westmore Drive, West Pennant Hills NSW 2125
2
AKA REPORTER
President’s Report
Once again our
AGM is upon us,
as President I get
to formally report
on the activities of
the Australian Koi
Association over the
past twelve months.
On Sunday 6th
April we held our
33rd Annual Large
Koi Show at the
Chinese Gardens at
Nurragingy Reserve
Doonside. This year
the “weather gods”
were not so kind; but despite the difficulties the
spirit of our exhibitors and judges managed to
shine through despite the elements.
This year saw Ron and Max Farrugia’s
magnificent kumonryu awarded Grand
Champion. Reserve Champion and Grand
Champion B went to two wonderful Sankes of
Heinz Zimmermann. My formal thanks to Mr
Willem Daffue (ZNA Local Certified Judge South
Africa) and long time friend of AKA Mr Allan
Bennett (ZNA Assistant Certified Judge WA) for
acting as our International judges. Thank you
also to Lee Nguyen and Miki Mo for acting as
our Trainee Shadow Judges.
On AKA’s other show scenes this year, our
Christmas Small Koi Show saw Graham and Lee
Fameli take out Grand Champion with a superb
little showa, along with John Ling winning
Reserve Champion with a very nice kujaku.
Congratulations also go to Graham and Lee
Fameli for taking home the coveted Dave Pogson
Memorial Breeders Trophy for 10 high quality
sankes, a great effort considering just how
difficult this variety is to produce. Terry McNeil
took out best baby with a shiro utsuri to win the
Jack Cohen Trophy.
This year we tried a new format in the
running of our 16th Annual Young Koi Show,
held at Auburn Gardens in September where Ron
and Max Farrugia’s stunning young Showa took
out GC (this koi having won the GC prize at the
KSA Future Champions Show a few of weeks
earlier). Terry McNeil took out both Reserve
(kohaku) and GC B (parachina ogon). Special
thanks to Bill Youl and Lee Nguyen for acting as
D e c e m b e r 2 01 4 — J a n u a r y 2 01 5
our judges on the day.
This year our club bestowed Honorary
Life Membership onto Bryce and Barbara
Hough, Betty and George Ludbrook and Heinz
Zimmermann for recognition of all their support
to AKA over many years. Congratulations to all.
Guest speakers are an important part of our
general meeting nights and this year I would
like to thank Dr Jayne Weller, David Hough of
Surf Lifesaving Australia, Lee Nguyen, Graham
Fameli, Terry McNeil and Kate Andrews for all
their contributions. Acquiring guest speakers
is always a difficult task and when our own
members come forward with contributions it
helps significantly.
Membership of koi clubs around the world
continues to struggle, as does AKA. Many
things are probably a contributing factor but
rising electrical costs is notably at the forefront!
This last year we have seen a decline in overall
numbers but not the active participation of our
Members at meeting nights and our auctions. We
need to maintain a strong membership to operate
effectively into the future and I know our new
Committee for this forthcoming year will make it
a priority.
It is time once again for me to thank our
fabulous Committee for another year of hard
work. To Ron and Max our tireless Supply
Officers, thank you for keeping our club’s
finances secure by your dedication to the role
of supplies, and to Arthur and Dawn Johnston
for all the efforts with both our trailers which
are used throughout the year at koi shows and
auctions, we are grateful for your efforts and also
to Arthur for always stepping in to act as our
reserve Auctioneer.
Thank you Betty and George for all the
wonderful social suppers, Carol and David
Durrant for both membership and secretarial
efforts, to Gordon Kilborn for his contributions at
all our auctions, shows and magazine. Thank you
John Ling for once again the terrific show photos
used throughout our magazine. And to Graham
Fameli for supporting both our Auction Master
and Show Coordinator. Special thanks also to Lee
Fameli our Annual Show computer paperwork
wrangler, John Rhodes our Public Officer, and
Dorothy Miglionico for all your support this past
twelve month in contacting various people in an
effort to support AKA this past year. A special
3
thank you to Barbara Walter whose efforts every
month ensures the recording and entries of all
our Table Show exhibits. Despite the difficulties
of moving house this year I would like to thank
Bill Youl, who has done a wonderful job with the
task of Auction Master. Thank you Sue Brookes
and Andrew Delahunt our Honorary Auditors and
anyone else I may have overlooked.
Also, I would like to express a special thank
you to Paul Miglionico who continues the role
of Show Coordinator at all our koi shows held
through out the year, a huge effort and one I
have not acknowledged properly in the past.
Paul’s stewardship ensures that the day runs
efficiently and smoothly as possible. Also I would
like to formally acknowledge Paul’s performance
over the many many years he has acted as our
Auctioneer at most of our koi auctions, a job well
done I’m sure all would agree.
Lastly, I would like to thank all our koi show
exhibitors, whose efforts to participate in our
koi shows is the backbone of our club. Like all
clubs, our koi shows play a very important role
in attracting membership and without exhibitors
koi clubs have very little else to offer. In an effort
to increase participation rates, the Committee
has looked at various ways to stimulate new
exhibitors, with cash prizes, vouchers, trophies
etc., and will continue to do so in the future.
4
Again I make this request to all members;
please give some serious thought into showing
your koi this coming year at our 34th Annual
Koi Show on the 12th April 2015. This year will
be honoured to have Mr Leung Hong Man (ZNA
Assistant Certified Judge China) and Mr Thomas
Lim (ZNA Local Certified Judge Singapore).
It is important to show these two gentlemen
just what a great koi show AKA can put on! A
high participation rate from our membership is
needed.
To our novice exhibitors remember that you
often get a wealth of knowledge by participating
with your fellow exhibitors, often resulting in
many new friendships being formed. The rewards
from being an active exhibitor are very positive
and something you will ultimately enjoy despite
the small amount of effort involved.
Last but not least I would like to thank my
first lady Kate for all her support and for her
input to the many talks we have prepared and
delivered this last year to the koi fraternity of
NSW.
Once again to the Members of AKA it is
a privilege and an honour to serve as your
President this past twelve months. ■
Yours in koi…
Ian Andrews, President AKA
AKA REPORTER
AKA News & Events
Join our monthly meetings
All members and friends are invited to attend our
meetings, at which we discuss the general business
of the Association, hear presentations from koi
experts and enjoy the social company of other koi
fanciers. Our meetings also include a table show
competition and a raffle draw.
Meetings are held in a family-friendly
venue at the Scottish Hall, 4 Weigand Avenue,
Bankstown on the first Wednesday of each month.
January Meeting
The January General Meeting of the Australian
Koi Association Inc will be held at the Scottish
Hall, 4 Weigand Avenue Bankstown, Wednesday
14 January 2015, 7.30 pm. Note this is the
second Wednesday of the month.
1. Welcome to members and guests
2.Apologies
3.Raffle
4.Reports
5. General Business
6. Kate and Ian Andrews’ presentation on the
ZNA 50th Golden Anniversary Koi Show.
7. Raffle Draw
New members
New members are always assured of a friendly
welcome when attending the AKA’s monthly
meetings. Help and advice is available if required
and our Supply Officers can provide you with koi
AKA Committee
Meeting Dates
Wednesday 28 January 2015
Wednesday 25 February 2015
Wednesday 25 March 2015
Wednesday 22 April 2015
D e c e m b e r 2 01 4 — J a n u a r y 2 01 5
food and accessories at favourable prices. Call
our membership officer (see details on page 2).
AKA auction dates 2015
Held at Auburn Botanic Gardens (entry from
Killeen Street, Auburn). Commencing at 10.00
am. Quality fish at reasonable prices! Food and
refreshments available. Fish food and other fish
keeping supplies also available.
Bankstown City
NSW Chapter
Zen Nippon Airinkai
Sunday 22nd February 2015
Sunday 26th April 2015
Sunday 21st June 2015
Sunday 30th August 2015
Sunday 18th October 2015
Sunday 29th November 2015
KSA auction dates 2015
10.00 am at Auburn Botanical Gardens:
Sunday 18 January 2015
Sunday 8 March 2015
Sunday 31 May 2015
Sunday 12 July 2015
Sunday 2 August 2015
Sunday 20 September 2015
Sunday 8 November 2015
The sale of koi by members of the AKA can only
take place between members of koi clubs and
associations only, as per NSW Department of
Primary Industries (Fisheries) guidelines.
Facebook
The AKA is on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/AustralianKoiAssociation. ■
5
6
AKA REPORTER
Koi Critique
Tancho Showa
Kate Andrews
Tancho Kohaku (Tahn’ ch-oh Show’ wah)
To celebrate ZNA’s 50th Golden Anniversary Koi
Show held recently in Kure just near Hiroshima, I
thought I should critique the special variety class
Tancho, celebrated at this show.
Tancho koi are easy to classify in that red
(hi) appears only on the head. In Tancho class,
only Tancho equivalents of the “big three” koi
varieties (Kohaku, Sanke & Showa), are included
for show purposes, although other varieties, for
example, Goshiki (blue or black vignette over red
and white patterns), may also produce a Tancho
variant. Tancho koi are revered in Japan because
a red circle on a white ground is the national
emblem. The original Tancho is a bird, the
Tancho crane, white with a circular red marking
on the head. Like the flag, an ideal Tancho koi
has a large round head hi, which does not cover
eyes, shoulders or nose, but otherwise uses as
much available forehead space as possible.
D e c e m b e r 2 01 4 — J a n u a r y 2 01 5
The Tancho koi featured this month is an
incredibly eye-catching adult Tancho Showa,
a very difficult koi to achieve to this standard.
Winner of the Best in Variety award at the 2010
Shinkokai show in Niigata City, this example has
a very well-developed figure for an adult (size 5)
koi, giving a powerful impression. The incredibly
dense, coal-black, superbly finished black (sumi)
markings on the clear white ground can only
be adequately described as spectacular. Look at
the wonderfully sharp trailing edges (kiwa) to
all pattern elements, so difficult to achieve for
sumi. White skin has that wonderful blue-white
sheen against sumi only, enhanced by blue toned
sashi at the leading edges of sumi markings. This
effect is achieved where deep sumi is overlaid by
translucent white skin.
Although the Tancho marking is clearly
defined with very homogeneous colour, it is
not completely round. However, given the
other excellent features this champion koi
demonstrates, including very attractive sumi
patterning, an oval Tancho marking is a minor
demerit indeed. ■
7
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8
AKA REPORTER
All about: Impact!
There are a fundamental group of koi
appreciation points which our koi must meet,
to stand even a chance of exhibiting that
highly sought after “wow factor”, although,
paradoxically, achieving a high standard “by the
book” (photo 2), will not necessarily confer it, as
we shall see later.
Koi appreciation has a structure to it, because
without such a firm basis, it would not be
possible to judge one koi against another either
fairly or successfully. The structure is made up of
a number of points, rather than precise standards,
common for other show animals or birds, because
in the case of koi, there have never been any
possible hard and fast “standards”. Koi are just
too innately variable. Think of the “points” as
best possible scenarios, with latitude on either
side.
Koi appreciation points include:
(1) The overall shape and proportions of
head, body and fins – the conformation of the
koi. This is the most critical of all appreciation
Photo 1
Photo 2
Kate Andrews
The “All About” series is back! Last time, Kate
looked at each of the 13 major koi varieties in
turn, explaining what to look for, good (and
not so good) points, plus how to recognise the
different koi classified within each category.
In this short series, Kate focuses instead on
some specific features important across many or
all varieties. This fourth and final article studies,
(in addition to some important “add on” features
like kin-gin-rin and fukurin), that most elusive
of issues – why some koi “work” and some do
not. What is the difference between a good koi
and one that is truly superb (Photo 1)? Why
are some koi always talked about, remembered,
move the goal posts for koi appreciation, become
landmarks for future directions?
Some Basics
D e c e m b e r 2 01 4 — J a n u a r y 2 01 5
9
Photo 3
Photo 4
points. Without a good shape (photo 3), you
cannot hope to have even a good koi, let alone a
high impact one.
(2) The overall quality of the skin. Not
easy to describe, or demonstrate in a photograph,
high skin quality confers an almost liquidlooking, or lacquered finish. Colour appears
bright, true, shiny and smooth with a soft depth
to it. Scale edges are almost invisible (photo 4).
(3) The qualities of colour, pattern, pattern
edges and pattern balance; points 2 and 3 are
discussed in the previous two articles of this
series.
(4) The requirements of appearance
specific to particular varieties – variety
characteristics. For example, the presence of
red; as a large, preferably round marking on the
forehead only, of Tancho koi (photo 5), or the
requirement for a sharply delineated vignette,
or scale reticulated effect, on Asagi, Matsuba,
Goshiki and Koromo (photo 6).
(5) Deportment – how the koi carries
itself in the water, a point dependent on many
other variables, including the health of the koi
and the conditions of the water, for example, pH,
temperature, contaminant level (ammonia, nitrite
etc.) A koi needs to present itself well to be eyecatching.
10
Do “Add On” Features Make a
Difference?
Over the years, the appearance of many koi
varieties has altered both by accident and also
by design. For example, desirable proportion
of black (sumi) on Showa, size and position
of sumi markings on Sanke or level of red (hi
or beni) pattern wrapping on Kohaku. Very
probably, increase in achievable final size has
had tremendous influence upon changes of this
nature. For example, impact made by an over
80 centimetre Kohaku cannot fail to be greater
if the koi demonstrates large, deeply wrapping
hi markings, in proportion to it’s size and
body volume. Smaller patterns confined above
the lateral line, as originally preferred, lack
impressiveness against a background of massive
physical proportions (photo 7).
AKA REPORTER
Photo 5
Photo 6
Photo 7
Photo 8
D e c e m b e r 2 01 4 — J a n u a r y 2 01 5
11
Some original genetic “accidents” are
eventually stabilised, creating in some cases,
new varieties, as for Kin-Gin-Rin or the metallic
Ogon (photo8), while results of intensive breeding
can introduce changes to appreciation criteria,
for example the appearance of fukurin on
non-metallic koi. Long recognised on metallic
varieties, fukurin has become a desirable feature
of non-metallic skin only relatively recently.
Fukurin (see photo 4) is the delicately reticulated,
slightly three-dimensional appearance of skin
and scales together, on a fully scaled koi. Skin
surrounding each scale looks slightly proud,
probably due to the differences in light refraction
between layers of skin over and around scales.
Fukurin on non-metallic koi generally develops
as the koi reaches maturity and is usually
only clearly visible on white skin, although
occasionally may be seen over hi. Associated
with high skin quality, there is no denying that
the subtle vignette effect offered by fukurin
adds to the impact of a koi displaying it, simply
because the skin appearance is improved.
With a long history, beginning in the late
1920s, kin-gin-gin scaling is quite different from
fukurin, although confusion between the two
features has occurred in the past. There is no
subtlety at all about kin-gin-rin; it is flashy and
immediately obvious, a feature, hobbyists tend to
love or hate. Each scale has either multiple shiny
lines across it (Hiroshima gin) or the entire scale
is shiny and mirror-like (beta gin). On a good
example, at least three complete lines of scales
(and often more) on either side of the dorsal
fin shine equally along the entire length of the
back, visible from any angle and sparklingly
eye-catching. Almost every variety of koi has a
Kin-Gin-Rin version, although the show variety
Kin-Gin-Rin “A” holds only Kin-Gin-Rin GoSanke (Kohaku, Sanke and Showa – see photo 9).
Early, patterned kin-gin-rin koi were not always
attractive, because this feature distorted some
colours, as well as pattern edges. Kin-gin-rin has
been spoken of in the past quite scathingly, as an
add-on to “sell” poorer quality koi.
However, in recent years such a comment
would be very far from the truth. Quite stunning
kin-gin-rin, top quality patterned koi have been
produced with no visible disruption to pattern
elements, just an incredible additional shine.
Now commonly seen on otherwise rather plain,
single-coloured koi like Chagoi (photo 10) and
Sorogoi, the added brightness of kin-gin-rin
scaling has markedly improved their popularity.
12
Top quality kin-gin-rin koi tend to turn the heads
of hobbyists for another look even when they are
quite small – not a common occurrence. Kin-ginrin scaling can confer very high impact on first
view of a koi carrying it, simply because it is so
flashy, but alone, it is not sufficient to create that
very elusive and desirable dream - the totally
memorable, high impact koi.
Also worth mentioning at this point are
metallic koi. Like kin-gin-rin, their beautiful
shine is immediately eye-catching and has
attracted many hobbyists over the years. Indeed,
it is said that the Ogon has brought more people
into the koi hobby than any other variety. The
first single coloured Ogon appeared in the 1940s
and they have maintained a huge popularity
ever since. Although not generally memorable as
individuals, the impact of a huge, well-shaped,
brightly shining golden koi is undeniable and
stunning (see photo 8).
The Real “Wow Factor”
Impact literally means “forceful influence”; the
ability to dominate, to impress and to compel
attention.
To at least some extent, impact has to
contain an element of subjectivity; different
people will respond differently to a koi for the
same reason they will respond differently to a
painting, for example, a famous Picasso. Even
though you might know it to be a masterpiece
and appreciate its quality, on a personal level, it
might do nothing for you at all. However, in the
case of both paintings and koi, (to remain with
our examples), there are some instances where
everyone remembers the subject because it is
impossible not to do so. Its impact is so high. The
real question is, why?
Clearly, in the case of koi, large size has
to be considered in the impact equation. Any
80 centimetre plus, jumbo koi seen for the first
time (photo 11), particularly by the untrained
eye of a complete novice, is going to look pretty
impressive, even if the quality of the koi is poor.
Generally, people don’t encounter huge fish at
close quarters very often.
Metallic finish, particularly attached to
large size as mentioned above, is another known
attractant, especially for the novice to koi
appreciation. The brilliant golden or silver sheen
of a beautiful Ogon is irrefutably memorable in
the abstract. Shiny kin-gin-rin might fall into
the same eye-catching category. You remember
seeing the shine, although you probably would not
AKA REPORTER
Photo 9
Photo 10
Photo 11
Photo 12
D e c e m b e r 2 01 4 — J a n u a r y 2 01 5
13
Photo 13
Photo 14
recognise a specific individual koi (photo 8).
Colour is another obvious element towards
impact. Some colours are definitely higher impact
and more memorable than others. I sometimes
think that a Chagoi or Sorogoi being described
as “quietly elegant” is a polite way of saying
brown and grey fade unremarkably into the
background! This is not to denigrate these varieties
however, often the friendliest koi in the pond
and great favourites with the family. However it
is undeniable that a bright red Benigoi, or even
yellow Kigoi is of higher impact visually.
Colour really begins to assume high
significance in our impact equation when more
than one appears on an individual koi. The
way colours interact can be truly magical. The
absolutely stark impressiveness of black and
white is perhaps one of the finest examples, in
the same way that sometimes a black and white
photograph is more impressive than a colour
equivalent of the same shot. Vitally important
to remember however, is that the relative
proportions, and to some extent, placement
of the colours involved critically affect their
impact (compare photos 12 & 13). A very simple
example is the difference presented by black
and white Shiro Bekko (photo 14) and Shiro
Utsuri (photo 12). Given the same size, level of
conformation and quality of colour, probably
99% of koi hobbyists as well as the general
public would admire and remember the Shiro
Utsuri over the Bekko.
The critical difference between the two
varieties lies in the proportion, style and
placement of sumi. The same is true for Showa
and Sanke (compare photos 11 & 15). Both have
red and white, but the difference lies in the
sumi. Pattern therefore, must also be accepted
as playing a large role in the creation of impact
although interestingly, pattern style has never
figured largely as a major contributor to koi
appreciation. Basically, a koi does not have to
have an attractive pattern to be impressive.
Some remarkably ugly koi have incredibly high
impact (photos 16 & 17) and some attractively
patterned koi are remarkably unmemorable (see
photo 7). Impact is more about the relative power
conferred by the quality, size, placement and
sometimes the shape of pattern elements coupled
with size and conformation of an individual koi.
The creation of high impact can be quite a
paradox, but one in which the unique meld of
14
AKA REPORTER
Photo 15
Photo 16
Photo 17
Photo 18
D e c e m b e r 2 01 4 — J a n u a r y 2 01 5
15
Jargon Busters
Kohaku – a white koi with red patterns. If
Tancho, red appears only on the head.
Sanke – red, black and white koi. Black is
generally less extensive than for Showa and is
not expected as motoguro or to appear on the
nose Tancho Sanke has red only on the head.
Showa – red, black and white koi with generally
extensive, jagged black markings. Black is
expected on the head and as motoguro. Tancho
Showa has red only on the head.
Utsurimono – bi-coloured white, red or yellow
koi with generally extensive black arranged as
for Showa.
Bekko – bi-coloured white red or yellow koi with
black in the style of Sanke.
Ogon – single coloured, metallic koi. Colours may
be silver, cream, lemon, gold and orange.
Photo 19
excellent shape, glowing, distinctive colours,
razor sharp edges to solid pattern elements
work together to create an unforgettable final
impression for a particular koi (photo 18),
sometimes further enhanced by an unusual
feature (photo 19). The “whole” is far greater than
the sum of individual “parts” could ever predict.
All the elements of koi appreciation are involved
to form an incredibly special living work of art
that is a study in itself.
Chagoi – single coloured brown koi, shades vary
from a pale biscuit to a deep chocolate, with or
without a faint black vignette.
Sorogoi – a single coloured, generally pale grey
koi, with or without a faint black vignette.
Benigoi – a single coloured deep red koi.
Kigoi – a single coloured yellow koi, usually with
red eyes. ■
Happy Christmas
from the AKA
We wish all our members and their
families a happy, peaceful and safe
Christmas and a very koi New Year!
16
AKA REPORTER
Koi A
Koi B
Koi C
Koi D
D e c e m b e r 2 01 4 — J a n u a r y 2 01 5
17
Judging exercise
Having read this article, examine the four adult
koi presented for this exercise on the previopus
page and pick out your highest impact koi.
When seeing koi live, sheer massiveness, always
a contributor to impressiveness, is always more
striking than on a photograph. However, an
excellent outline coupled with other top quality
appreciation elements all working together still
comes across well.
reticulated areas, strong sumi, interesting black
eyes and neat pectoral fin joints (motoguro).
Order – First: Koi C, Second: Koi B, Third: Koi D,
Fourth: Koi A ■
Photos courtesy John Ling and Andrew McGill
Koi A – Sanke
This mature Sanke actually won Grand Champion
in South Africa a few years ago. It demonstrates
a good figure and a neatly stepped hi pattern
with clean edges. However, the impact of this koi
is not high due to sumi markings too small for
the size of the koi and discoloured white skin.
Koi B – Shiro Utsuri
Also featured in the last article, this is an
incredibly memorable Shiro Utsuri. White skin is
snow white, against which the dense, coal black
sumi works in bold relief. Edges to all pattern
elements are neatly finished and the slightly
three-dimensional effect seen at the leading
edges of sumi markings where underlying sumi
appears blue (sashi of sumi) is very beautiful.
Koi C – Kujaku
Kujaku is a Hikarimoyo (muti-patterned metallic
koi) which may hold its own against the best of
Go-Sanke at some shows. This particular example
is certainly one of them. The figure is good
and clean, bright metallic white skin is offset
by deeply coloured, homogeneous metallic red
patterns displaying a well-developed vignette.
Minor problems include slightly dirty looking
pectoral fins and small areas of unevenness in
the reticulation. This koi is especially memorable
because of the highly unique head pattern
including an attractive spot of hi on the nose.
Koi D – Gin Rin Matsukawabake
Clearly, a huge and unusual koi, this
Matsukawabake loses much of its potential
impact in that the base colour is grey rather
than white, despite attractive gin-rin scaling and
18
Never release
your koi
Members are reminded of
their responsibility never to
accidentally or deliberately
release koi into any waterways.
AKA REPORTER
Australian Pet Supplies Pty Ltd are manufacturers of top
quality pellets and flake foods for ornamental fish. Top
ingredients, listed below, provide for your fish all protein,
minerals and vitamins to maintain healthy growing Koi fish.
Products are all fully manufactured in Australia and are
available from your supply officer.
Our Goldfish and Tropical Pellets and Flakes contain the following ingredients in varying amounts:
WHEATFOLIC ACIDRICE FLOUR
RIBOFLAVIN (B2)SPIRULINAVITAMIN B12
FISH MEALBIOTINSOYA BEAN MEAL
PYRIDOXINE B6
CHLORINE CHLORIDE
KELP FLOUR
COBALTTUNA OILIODINE
DRIED YEASTCOPPERWHEATGERM
IRONVITAMIN AMANGANOUS OXIDE
VITAMIN B TOTAL
ZINC
VITAMIN E
ETHOXYQUINMENADIONEANTI-TOX
NICOTINIC ACID
THIAMINE B1
CALCIUM B PANTOTHENATE
COLOUR
ASCORBIC ACID (especially developed for the aquaculture industry)
D e c e m b e r 2 01 4 — J a n u a r y 2 01 5
19
Do It Yourself - Koi Pond Trickle Tower
by Ray Jordan
I started building a large trickle tower filter this
past week to provide additional bio-filtration to
my koi pond. I also felt a TT would help keep the
water cooler during the summer months due to
increasing the evaporation rate. Martha promptly
named my project the “green monster.” I found
a scrap piece of 18 inch diameter heavy walled
PVC pipe about six feet long to serve as the
actual tower vessel. I used 3/8 inch PVC sheet
material to cut out the shelves, bottom, and top
for the tower. I also used this same material to
fabricate drip plates for the top of the tower to
assure even distribution of water to saturate
all the media completely and a bottom drip
plate to support the media and prevent it from
flowing out the outlet at the bottom of the tower.
Additionally I used 4 in, 2in, and ¾ in threaded
nipples for the connections through the tower
itself to complete the plumbing. The Trickle
Tower will hold about 10 cubic feet of media.
I connected the green monster at the end of
my skimmer, bubble bead filter, UV plumbing
circuit. I choose this connection because surface
water will be heavier in organic compounds
(foam you may see floating on your pond on in
your skimmer) Water will be pumped through the
bubble bead to have any particulates removed
and through the UV to the top of the tower where
it will then trickle down through the bio ball
plastic media and return via gravity flow to the
pond. I intend to flow about 30 GPM through
this circuit. This circuit originally returned to
the pond through my waterfall (Which also has
a bypass that I can use in cold weather). I used a
three way valve which will allow me to vary the
amount of flow to the TT or the pond waterfall as
needed. The Trickle Tower will use water already
pumped through the bubble bead so there is no
need for additional water pump. I am connecting
a 200 liter per minute linear air pump to blow
air into the bottom of the tower that will exit at
the top of the tower. This air will counter flow
upwards against the falling water and exit at
the top of the tower to insure maximum gas
exchange and humidity within the tower.
DIY Trickle Tower construction directions:
20
1. Cut two ¾ in thick “ring” sections from the
end of your 18 in. diameter PVC pipe. This will
give you material to make a lip to epoxy inside
the tower to support the top and bottom drip
plates. I used a reciprocal saw to make these cuts.
2. Cut two circles from your 3/8 in pvc sheet to
fit inside pipe. I used a jigsaw to cut out these
drip plates. Drill ¼ in. holes about ¾ in. apart in
a marked grid to cover these plates.
3. Cut a small section (about 3 in.) from the
“ ring” sections to allow them to bend into a
smaller circle and slip snugly inside the pipe.
Epoxy one support about 9 inches from the
bottom and the other about 6 inches from the
top. These “ring” sections will support your drip
plates.
4. Use a 4 in. and a 3/4 in. hole saw to cut two
holes in the side of the bottom of your tower for
the 4 in threaded nipple that will connect to your
outlet drain pipe and the ¾ in nipple for the air
pump. Also a 2 in. hole for the 2 in nipple at the
top of the TT for your inlet flow pipe. Be sure to
think through the location of these holes/fittings
in relation to your pond plumbing needs and
location.
5. Glue a 4 inch PVC 90 degree elbow inside the
TT. Place the elbow pointing downward with
the end of the 90 parallel to TT. This is to create
a p-drain type effect and allow the water level
below your bottom drip plate, to rise above the
exit pipe and will force the air flow to exit via
the top of the tower vs the drain pipe.
6. Stand your tower on the pvc sheet and draw
a circle around the outside tower on the sheet.
Also draw a circle about 1 in bigger than the
circumference of your towers base. Use a jigsaw
to cut out this outside circle which will become
the bottom cover of your tower. Apply a liberal
amount of the PVC epoxy approximately 1in.
inch wide inside the inner circle on the sheet.
Stand the tower on this epoxy circle and then
apply a ½ bead of epoxy around the outside
bottom joint of the tower and the bottom cover.
Let this cure 24 hours.
AKA REPORTER
This shows the inside top of the TT with part of
fabricated 4-way connector shower head and
drilled top drip plate. Plastic media is underneath
plate. (Note all water is evenly drains through all
holes into TT)
Here is a drawing of the “Green Monster!”
7. Connect the flow inlet at the top of your tower
to your plumbing. I fabricated a manifold using
a two in 4-way fitting and end caps. I drilled 1/4
in holes every 3/4 inch along the bottom and
also about 1/2 up each side of the bottom of the
fitting to create a shower head.
8. Connect the outlet plumbing so that it will
drain into your pond.
9. Drop in your bottom drip plate. Do not glue
in place.
10. Rotate the three way valve to direct water
into the tower. Observe the water flow in the
tower while looking from the top. You want to
insure that all the water flow drains out the
bottom and does not back up and submerge the
bottom drip plate. If your drainage is too slow
you will flood the bottom part of the tower and
submerge the media which will reduce the desired
TT result and could even cause the tower to
overflow out the top. If necessary drill additional
D e c e m b e r 2 01 4 — J a n u a r y 2 01 5
Completed TT approximately six feet tall with
with Japanese bamboo panel open.
Pond filters are underneath decking and pond is
directly behind TT.
21
holes in the drip plate to insure adequate
drainage.
11. Drop in the top drip plate. Do not glue into
place. Turn water back on and make sure the
drainage does not back up on the top drip plate
and overflow the tower. Drill more holes if
necessary.
12. Cut out the top cover from the remaining
PVC sheet approximately ½ inch bigger than the
outside diameter of the tower. Epoxy 3-4 small
1 in. pieces of the left over pipe “ring” sections
to the bottom of the cover so that they will fit
snugly inside the tower and keep the top cover
from falling off. You want to allow air to flow
out the top of the tower so be sure there is plenty
of breathing room.
Our koi pond with TT screened behind bamboo
fencing in the upper left of the photo. Still
waiting for “Duracane” synthetic bamboo pipe
material to cover discharge pipe to complete the
disguise.
13. Fill the tower with media and fit
and adjust the “shower head” to be
level and spread water evenly over
the entire surface of the drip plate.
Only the media with water trickling
over it constantly will be active and
working as bio-filtration. This is an
important step take your time.
14. Turn the supply water back on
and enjoy the benefits of additional
trickle tower bio-filtration. It will
take 4-12 weeks for the media to
become well colonized with bio-film
depending on water temperature.
15. If you live in a colder climate
you may want to insulate your TT.
In warmer areas you might want to
reduce the flow during colder spells
to keep from chilling your pond
water to quickly. ■
22
I thought the “Green Monster” looked just fine but Martha
convinced me to build this screen.
AKA REPORTER
Tokyo Terry’s Japanese Koi Terms
Tokyo Terry
(ii) ATAMA (ah tah mah)—a good head crown
Dear Koi Club Members,
(iii) BERET HI (beh reh hee)—asymmetrical or
uneven hi on head, that is on one side only
Every month or so I hope to improve our
understanding of common koi terms (and the
pronunciation) used by both the Western koi
keepers I have met around the world and our
of course by the Japanese breeders and keepers.
By improving our knowledge and use of these
relatively commonly used koi descriptions we
expand our overall enjoyment of the hobby.
Koi terms this month relate to koi head patterns...
hope you enjoy!
(iv) BONGIRI (bohn gee ree)—the red or hi does
not come far enough towards the nose
(v) BOZU (bow zoo)—no hi on the head or a bald
head
(vii) KUCHIBENI (coo chee ben nee)—red on the
lips or lipstick
More next issue! ■
(i) AKA NANA (pronounced ah kah nah nah)—
this means a koi with a red nose
Buy, swap and sell
Buy, swap and sell notices can be placed free by members.
Please call Ian Andrews on 0418 255 897 or email [email protected]
for more information.
For Sale
A fantastic original koi painting,
beautifully framed, acrylic on canvas 140
x 100 cm. $400 and it’s yours.
Happy to swap for a high quality fish (eg
a ginrin ochiba, showa, aka matsuba, full
hi asagi)
Phone Simon on 0438 340 304
Pick up from Stanmore (Sydney). Sorry,
too large to mail or wrap for courier.
The Australian Koi Association does not accept responsibility for the quality of any items or any
transactions advertised under Buy, Swap and Sell.
D e c e m b e r 2 01 4 — J a n u a r y 2 01 5
23
Tategoi of the Year 2014
Our Judge this year was Terry McNeil whose task
this year was reduced due to the unfortunate
absence of three of our exhibitors, notably Fred
Grech’s rancho sanke that had won the Judge’s
Choice back in June.
However the remaining contestants were
undoubtedly on the shortlist to take out the
Tategoi of the Year trophy. This year the award
was won by an exceptional kinginrin sanke bred
by Graham and Lee Fameli, being one of the
batch that won the Dave Pogson Breeder Trophy
earlier this year.
Terry commented that the body shape,
conformation, depth of hi and development of
the kinginrin in this koi is excellent. Existing
sumi is of high quality with the promise of future
show awards to come as this koi grows. Once
again congratulations Graham and Lee Fameli.
One other koi was short-listed, a lovely
kinginrin showa also bred by Graham and Lee.
Graham receives his trophy from Judge Terry
McNeil.
This koi also had an excellent body shape and
as was one of the best grown. Unfortunately a
slight weakness of the kinginrin marked down
this koi in the final, but as this koi grows it will
be very interesting to watch its development as
it continues to grow. Both koi have considerable
future show potential. ■
Orca
Quick Grow
Graham and Lee Fameli’s winning kinginrin
sanke.
24
AKA now carries Orca Quick Grow
medium koi food (10 kg).
See inside back cover for all
members’ supplies.
AKA REPORTER
Supplies available to AKA
members
Contact Ron and Max Farrugia for all supplies listed on (02) 9533 2546 or 0403 029 532
Hours: Mon to Fri 8.00 am - 8.00 pm Sat and Sun 8.00 am - 11.00 am
FOOD
Flake-Tropical
1 kg Flake
200 mg
Fry Food
1 kg
AKA Growth Food
5 kg
No.1 High Protein Crumble 1kg No.2 High Protein Crumble
1kg
No.3 High Protein Crumble 1kg
Baby Koi Pellets
1kg
Pond Sticks
4 kg
AKA Premium Growth Food 5 kg AKA Growth Food (small pellet) 5kg
Orca Quick Grow medium
koi food 10 kg $35.00
$8.00
$20.00
$35.00
$19.00
$19.00
$19.00
$8.00
$35.00
$40.00
$35
$75.00
MEDICINE
Malachite Green
20 gms
Methylene Blue
18 gms
Phenoxotol - fin and tail rot
Clean Fish CF 50
1litre
Condy’s Crystals
200 gms
Oil of Cloves
100 ml
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$40.00
$25.00
$25.00
AIR
Air Stones small
Air Stones
50 mm
Air Tube
per metre
Green plastic air tube Roll
$1.00
$6.00
$2.00
$50.00
PUMPS
XF 171 Davey Pump
HIBLOW 20 litre/hour HIBLOW 40 litre/hour HIBLOW 60 litre/hour HIBLOW 80 litre/hour Aquarium Air Pump
P.O.A.
$215.00
$230.00
$240.00
$270.00
$25.00
SUBMERSIBLES
King 3 2400 litres/hour
King 4 4800 litres/hour
King 5 6500 litres/hour
King 6 8000 litres/hour
$120.00
$160.00
$180.00
$220.00
WATER
Sodium Thiosulphate
Tri Start
Extra Water Purifier Extra Water Purifier
1 kg
250 ml
1 Litre 20 Litres $15.00
$15.00
$20.00
$180.00
MISCELLANEOUS
Large Plastic Bags
$1.50
Carbonate hardness raising 2 kg
$6.00
Clear Pond
200 mg $30.00
Slurpy Pump — fitted for use $180.00
Algae Fix 500 ml $25.00
Clear plastic Table Show tanks $20.00
“Virkon S” broad spectrum disinfectant
250g $25.00
NETS
6” Nets
10” Nets
$3.00
$5.00
TEST KITS
Ammonia Test Kit
pH Test Kit
Carbon Hardness Test Kit
$20.00
$20.00
$20.00
Please Note: Members’ orders for supplies for
delivery at the monthly meetings are to be in
the Tuesday prior to the meeting.
Members ordering supplies for postal delivery
should send money order or cheque payable
to Australian Koi Association to 32 Hardy Ave,
Riverwood 2210. Please ensure cost of return
postage is included.