Buying Koi (Part 5)

In previous installments of this series ( Buying Koi Part 1 ), we saw that four things are important when evaluating and buying koi: body ( Buying Koi Part 2 ), skin quality ( Buying Koi Part 3 ), pattern ( Buying Koi Part 4 ), and elegance. In this installment, we'll delve deeper into elegance.

Criteria

In the official judging of koi at koi shows, 40% of the points are awarded to body, 30% to skin quality, 20% to pattern, and 10% to the so-called "overall appearance," also known as elegance. While this series of articles isn't intended to prepare you to become a judge, you can still benefit from this information. If you focus primarily on attractive patterns or vibrant colors, a koi can sometimes disappoint as it grows older, perhaps because its body, for example, isn't quite right. Body is by far the most important criterion, as we've already established. Essentially, when purchasing a new koi, you consider all these aspects, in order of importance. This maximizes the chance that you'll enjoy the koi even later in life. The aspect that hasn't yet been addressed is elegance.

Elegance

Elegance is a rather complex concept; the rules aren't as set in stone as with body, skin quality, and pattern. Elegance reflects the degree to which a koi impresses you. This can be broken down into the following aspects, among others:

First impression

Sometimes you look into a sale tank and feel like one koi stands head and shoulders above the rest. Apparently, this fish has something that makes your heart beat faster. However, when you apply the other criteria to the tank, it's often a different fish that tops your wish list. Yet, this fish scores high on the "elegance" factor. With similar fish, this aspect can be the deciding factor in your decision.

Dignity

By this I mean the way the fish moves through the water. A koi with beautiful, smooth movements is like a woman on a catwalk. The fish exudes a certain arrogance in its movements and elevates itself above the rest in dignity. This fish doesn't lie on the bottom, but strolls through the pond like a true eye-catcher.

Brutality

A shy fish that hides, races through the tank like a frantic roeland, and perhaps even crashes into the sides isn't exactly appealing in a pond, no matter how beautiful the fish is. In a pond, you want peace and quiet, and ideally, the fish will swim enthusiastically to your hand when you appear, ready to take some food.

Finally

I hope you've gathered from the series of articles on "buying koi" that you should buy a fish with your mind, not your heart. Of course, the fish should appeal to you, and the final decision is yours. Perhaps you prefer the fish that comes out second based on objective observation, simply because it strikes you as more elegant than the first. That's not a bad thing, but my general warning is that if you only go for elegance, you might be in for a rude awakening as the fish develops over the years. Have fun and good luck with purchasing your new pond gems!