General Grading Guidelines for fry & fingerlings.

 

(Much more detail is involved when grading based on bloodlines, variety, age, size, etc. These guidelines are in very general terms.) 

 

***Tosai grading has different guidelines.

 

Grade B - No deformities, solid colors with low luster, fading patterns, strong and healthy overall. 

 

Grade A - Full or unbalanced patterns, solid colors with medium luster,  proportionate body conformation, no deformities 

 

Grade AA - More pattern breaks (if the variety naturally has pattern) but not necessarily balanced, definition of colors with mid-high luster, proportionate body conformation, no deformities 

 

Grade AAA - Distinct balanced pattern, color with high luster (not necessarily with deep pigmentation within the first 1 to 2 years after hatch), full balanced body conformation, no deformities 

 

Tategoi - Not normally for sale but if they are they’ll usually have dull unfinished surface colors with bands of pigmentation underneath the scales, may appear a washed out gray (for certain varieties), balanced body with longer backbone proportionate to the head size, balance of motoguro, odome and other fine detailed traits as visible at that size and applicable to the variety.