OTHER IDEAS
Kohaku Koi
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Koi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Koi (Chinese and Japanese: 鯉, Romaji: koi) are ornamental domesticated varieties of the common carp Cyprinus carpio, originated from China and widely spread in Japan. They are very closely related to goldfish, and in fact the style of breeding and ornamentation has become very similar, probably through the efforts of Japanese breeders to emulate goldfish, but they are not goldfish. Koi and tattoos of Koi are traditionally considered lucky.
In Japanese, the word koi simply means "carp" referring to the dull grey fish. Nishikigoi (錦鯉: "brocaded carp"), in Japanese are the ornamental carp. This article is about Nishikigoi, and uses the English word koi to refer to the colorful fish.
While a Chinese book of the Western Jin Dynasty (4th century) mentions carp with various colors, Koi breeding become popular in the 19th century in the Niigata prefecture of Japan. Farmers working the rice fields would notice that some carp would be more brightly colored than others, capture them, and raise them (when normally the brighter colors would doom the fish to be more likely eaten by birds and other predators). By the 20th century, a number of color patterns had been established, most notably the red-and-white Kohaku. The outside world did not become aware of the degree of development until 1914, when the Niigata Koi were exhibited in the annual exposition in Tokyo. Some of them were also presented to Crown Prince Hirohito. At that point, interest in Koi exploded throughout Japan. The Hobby of keeping Koi spread worldwide after plastic bags and shipping of Koi became both fast and safe for the fish. These factors enabled Koi to be shipped worldwide with low mortality rates. Koi are now commonly sold in most pet stores, with higher-quality fish available from specialist dealers.
Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, patterning, and scalation. Butterfly Koi, Longfin Koi, or Dragon Carp developed in the 1980s and notable for their long and flowing fins, are actually hybrids with Asian carp, and not considered true Nishikigoi.
Kohaku - a white-skinned Koi, with a red pattern
Kohaku are white bodied Koi with red markings. Often the color is more orange than red. Ideally the color of the body is pure white like the snow on Mount Fuji. The highest grade of red is the same color as the Japanese flag. Colorations of Koi should be well defined with sharp edges and obvious distinction between the red and white body colors that do not bleed or fade into each other. Champion Kohaku Koi do not have any hues of red on the fins, below the eyes or on the mouth area. The body markings should have an artistic pattern and flow. The more "steps" there are on the body is considered as a grading factor. There should be a well defined break of color before the tail fin starts. Female Koi have a larger body mass and are valued higher than males. The body as viewed from above should be symmetrical on each side of the spine. As the body becomes thicker, the grade of the fish increases. A prize Koi will have no body deformations and flow smoothly from nose to tail. A perfect body would resemble the outline of a football as viewed from above.
Pink DolphinThe Boto, or Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) is a freshwater or river dolphin. It is endemic to the Amazon River and Orinoco River systems. The Boto is the largest of the river dolphins.
Scientific Name: Sousa chinesis (Chinese White Dolphin)
In Hong Kong's scenic western harbor, a population of around 120 Indo-pacific Humpback Dolphins, or Chinese White Dolphins are fighting to survive against barrage of threats: pollution, habitat loss, over fishing, and boat traffic.
As you can see from the picture, these dolphins are pink. People who have seen both say they're even pinker than the South American Boto. Although Sousa chinensis is found from South Africa to North Australia, this coloration is unique to Southeast Asia.
What kind of dolphins are these?
These dolphins can be found in geographically isolated populations from South Africa to Australia and up the Chinese coast to the Yangtze River. The populations in Southeast Asia are unique in their coloring: born almost black, they quickly change to light grey, then slowly become white or pink as the grey coloration recedes.
Where are they?
The Chinese White Dolphin is almost always found near coastlines, and usually near a major river mouth. The Pearl River provides the brackish (estuarine) water favored by this population. Young males may wander quite far from the group, but the population as a whole is unlikely to move to another location, no matter how degraded the environment becomes.
This population is usually found to the north of Lantau Island, and occasionally to the southwest, near the Soko Islands, and the southeast, near Peng Chau. The western, northern, and southern extents of their range are not known, though pink dolphins have been sighted around Macau.
How many dolphins are there?
Estimates range from fewer than 100 to around 150.
Why is the pink dolphin pink?
Not a lot is known about the dolphin's coloring because of their remoteness and rarity. It has been speculated they are pink for the same reason as pink flamingos. Like the dolphin, these marshland birds are not born pink but turn this color as they get older. A red pigment found in the muscle tissue of the crabs and shellfish theyear colors the flamingos. The colored molecule is not digested, yet is still absorbed in the birds' gizzard and accumulates in the shafts of the birds' growing feathers. Although this pigment is not visible in the raw meat of crustatia, it is the same pigment, which causes a prawn to turn pink when cooked.
Often flamingos in captivity are fed shellfish rich in this pigment in order to brighten their colorful appearance and heighten their appeal. Because the pink dolphin also feeds on these animals in the marshlands and flooded planes of the Amazon basin it is thought the same pigment accumulates in its skin as it gets older. I realize that now I am talking about the Pink Dolphin of the Amazon, however the have the same characteristics and coloring of the Chinese White Dolphin, just a different geographical location.
Size and Weight:
Males grow 8.4 feet and weigh 345 pounds.
Females grow 6.6 feet and weigh 217 pounds.
Lifespan:
Has not been determined . Based upon their size, some scientists believe they live as long as 35 years.
The GypsyMule: Name: Djioni Samuels
Chinese name: Xu Dan Zhao
Meaning:'Dan' means dawn; morning; day. 'Zhao' means shine.
Nickname: Di, Xiao Dan
Race: American Born Chinese (ABC)
Birthdate:14 Feb 1991 (Valentine's Day!)
Age: 15, but she's much maturer than that
Zodiac: Year of the Horse
Horoscope:Aquarius
Hometown: She was born in Singapore, but started travelling with her gran in the caravan.
Relations: Di is an orphan and was taken in by her maternal granny, who was a gypsy and started travelling in gran's caravan, which is pulled by a pony named Dream. She also has an distant maternal uncle, who she visits at times. He is an avid fish collector. The first fish he showed Di was the koi and she was immediatedly fascinated by it. She has no idea of any paternal relations, as her dad's family had shunned her mother for being a Chinese instead of being European, refusing to adknowledge her as a part of the family.
Appearance: She is a brunette with wavy hair that casades down to her waist, tied back loosely with a purple ribbon.
At this point, I must say that Djioni was inspired by Esmeralda by Notre Dame in some ways. And I've just realised that I unknowingly thought of Djioni's name, through Es's pet goat, Djali.
The ribbon in her hair is the same as Djioni's. They also both have the same kind of skirt, though Di's has no bells. Di also loves to play the tambourine. There are several differences though, Di's hair is a dark brown, almost like chesnuts, not black like Es's. Di's skin is also not as dark, she is an American-born Chinese, remember. She also has a slight tan.
The reason why Di has a face veil is she was also in the accident where her gran died. She had a scar below her lip and started wearing the veil, which she found in a trunk in the caravan. Although it has healed, she is still afraid and refuses to take it off.
Vanessa Anne Hudgens was also my inspiration. =D Di's hair is styled after her. And they have the same tan!
Personality: This part was also partly inspired by Esmeralda. Di is a little bit physically stronger and tougher than other girls as she has lived the life of a gypsy. She also symphatises easily with others, and has a playful wit and a sense of courage to her. However, she is a stubborn girl. This trait is sometimes an advantage, though it also is a disadvantage. Di, like Esmeralda, can flirt with guys easily, though she usually does it either for teasing or deliberately.
Likes:Ice-cream soda, tambourine, dancing, singing
Hates: The sea and fire. These two caused her parents and gran to die
