I bowled my SU today, 10-15-08 cuz I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to do it again in two weeks. Water temps been in the 50's for over a week, so I doubt they're eating much anymore. Here's before and today pics. It's hard to get a pic. with her lined up and straight against the ruler markings but it looks like "she's" ;) just breaking 16". :cool3: She wasn't too happy about being singled out. The sumi is fading in my soft water, may harden it up next summer to see if it'll come back.
The sumi will be back and she's going to be stunning.
What was her starting length?
Excellent growth, and she does have a nice shape.
Wow 16" that is amazing growth .
I'll catch her again this next week and see if I can get some better pics...with a makeshift 'better blue' background, and with some side profile shots against a tape measure. It's tough with the wind and leaves blowing. I have to get a calm day to pull the net off and drain down the pond in order to catch her. Then the greenhouse goes up and access will be too difficult.
Paula you did great and I'm hoping that 16" is not the norm so :wtg: on the growth.
Thanks Rudy. I'm not worried about the sumi. I sure would like to see the black come in next summer, so I may harden up the water some. Everyone else's SU's look so awesome with that distinct sumi. I can't take much credit for it's growth either... as they fed themselves for the most part. With the flooded pond and then my pump down for a week, I'm surprised they all hung in there so well. That water is 49 degrees today and we're heading into the 20's tonight...cold for us, with a strong wind. I worry a little about stressing them in this cold water/weather. I've got to get my greenhouse up this week. So final pics and measurements will get done this week.
Paula now that it is colder do you see the sumi tighten up ?
Usually I see the sumi fade more in the cold water...at least on my shusui that seems like the case. I think there's some shrinkage going on in this cold water...lol! I had thought she looked like she was just breaking 16" a couple weeks ago. The overhead shots can be a little deceiving. This one has really bulked up though in girth esp.
paula .. in shiros particularly tosai when they are growing in the warmer months the sumi will lighten and then will darken when the growth rates slow down in the fall . as they grow older since the growth lessens it will not happen that sharply . sushui are different to Shiros I think.
I hope you are right. I have very soft water, but may harden it next summer to see if the sumi will come back. I love the distinct look of everyone's shiros. So stunning. My koi seem to grow even in the winter. Not sure how, cuz they get no food from mid-Oct. till mid. April. It'll be interesting to see if it comes back over the winter.
Paula, the Shiroji looks excellent, the sumi should come up next year.
Hey Matt! She turns pink quickly when I bowl her. She a lot happier in the pond hanging out with the others. I'm looking forward to seeing how this fish develops next year. She's heading into her first NY winter.
Holy #$$&#37;! Did you see that forecast?! They are talking FEET of snow just to the north of us. I think we're in for a long cold and snowy winter.
Holy #$$%! Did you see that forecast?! They are talking FEET of snow just to the north of us. I think we're in for a long cold and snowy winter.
I need some warm weather. I've been running a 102-103 temp. for three days and hate the shivers. I picked up my son's nasty cold bug last week. I soaked for half hour in a hot tub and was still shivering the whole time. This cold rain is not helping at all.
As it turns out, we got no snow at all. We are too low in elevation and the lake is still in the 50's which holds our temp. warmer into fall. I am still so sick. Think I'll take a trip to the dr's today. Can't go on much longer like this.
Actually, nothing like some strong drugs to raise my spirits....lol! Turns out I have pneumonia and was dehydrated. Got pumped full of IV fluids yesterday and started on some antibiotics. Man, I thought I was dying.
Paula, so sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Take care and take it easy.
I feel like I'm coming back from the brink of death. My Doc said today I was the sickest person they've seen in their office all year (and THAT was supposed to make me feel better?!). I don't think I've been sick in 20 years. Not used to laying around, watching old movies etc. Leaving all the cooking up to DH...which could be a real problem cuz he never cooks...lol. Think we'll be having a lot of take out till I recover.
I have had Pnuemonia..and it is not nice.
Hope you you are quickly on the improve Paula.
Nice to have soemone to take care of you..even if he can't cook...take it easy.
I hope you feel better.... a lot of chicken soup, water, and rest. Did you get sick from putting up the cover for the pond? I remembered you said it was cold and wet.
Pneumonia is scary paula .. it is bad stuff , take care and stay warm ..
paula .. your SU fishing ship is prolly what caused you to worsen to pneumonia ..
Take really good care of yourself, ok? My FIL was in the hospital for a week due to pneumonia. He got out today.
Thanks everyone. I'm still hacking like a chain-smoker...but I'm getting there. DH is aggravated with my Doctor's treatment plan, and argueing why I should be on 'xyz' meds in addition etc. as he gives HIS patients. I feel like telling him he can take it up with my doctor and let the two docs have it out on the phone. I just need my rest. So I've got two Doctors telling me two different things.
Please be serious about the rest, we want to be well so.... when you start feeling a little better, don't overdue it.
The body starts sending you more energy and it's meant to be used to fight the last of the illness. That's some of the best advice I ever got from a doc.
Ok, edit because I reread your post. Is one of the docs your hubby? If so, he loves you and wants what is best for you.
But he should be the one on the phone, lol.
Yeah, DH is one of the Docs...lol. His specialty is oral surgery/dentistry though. But the man does know his meds and often feels docs underdose patients. He'll tell me I should always double the first dose of meds and of course that works great for his patients, but I can't go against MY doctor's orders. So I go through this back and forth with him any time I need to take some meds. I SHOULD just put him on the phone with my doctor and save myself some breath.
Spring update. My SU made it through our very cold and snowy winter under the greenhouse and is looking great! All the koi look so much bigger each spring, don't know how they do it when they don't get any food from me all winter. They have just started to eat this week. Not sure when I'll get a chance to catch and measure. Might wait for it to warm up a bit more. Pattern looks about the same, though I think some of the sumi is starting to come in darker.
My SU made it through a long winter. It's in the pond with some big ones but hangs in there well with them. Not the best pics, but it'll have to do for now.
She looks to be the runt of the pack at 15"
She is, but she'll put on some good weight now. She seems to be growing faster than the others did at her age. I think the demand feeder has a lot to do with it. They don't have to wait for me to be fed.