Cooper Sallade began working with ponds and water gardens in 2008 as a high school student in Richmond, VA, cleaning ponds during the summer. His early interest quickly grew into a passion, leading him to design and build ponds throughout college for both personal and client
projects. That passion eventually evolved into a career. Cooper founded Aqua Fauna Inc., a full-service construction and maintenance company specializing in water features, and merged with Fin and Feather – The Water Garden Center, a pond specific retail store. Today, his business encompasses custom water feature construction, pond maintenance, retail
sales, and koi sourcing trips to Japan. With a commitment to craftsmanship and quality, Cooper continues to share his love for water gardening with clients and enthusiasts across the region.
Picture this: a small backyard centered around a beautiful koi pond where colorful, charismatic fish attract the eye like a framed painting come to life. The space is wrapped in undulating garden beds detailed with mountain stones, soft moss, ferns and blooming azaleas. Resting on pedestals throughout the landscape are tiny trees — bonsai — […]
In the heart of Richmond, Virginia, a residential property underwent a remarkable transformation. What began as a maintenance challenge for a koi enthusiast evolved into a full-scale, formal aquatic showcase. At the center of it all: nearly 200 adult koi. This exceptional home had long featured a large, picturesque pond. However, despite its beauty, the […]