All metallic Showa are known as Kin Showa. The metallic luster should appear strong
throughout the entire body of the koi. All the key Showa elements
should be
there as well, such as wraparound sumi, motoguro in the
pectoral fins, and the classic intrusion of an interesting black pattern onto the head.
Hi
and sumi should be as
strong and
well placed toward the rear of the body as in the area ahead of the dorsal fin, and there must be no congenital deformities. Ideally,
the hi
should be crimson as with regular
Showa, but it is typically more brownish, reminiscent of that on nonmetallic Showa when they were first
developed.
However, Showa sumi is particularly strong and can usually
hold its own against the toning down effect of the
metallic skin. Metallic Kindai Showa (those
with lots of white patterning) are particularly striking.
If your pond's surface is frozen over, Do Not break the ice, doing so could harm your fish. Instead, use warm water to melt a hole in the ice or use a pond Deicers to keep a hole open.
