Koi content that appears in the print magazine.
The life of a koi farmer and dealer is a demanding yet deeply rewarding journey, build on a foundation of passion, precision, and perseverance. From sourcing koi in Japan to caring for them on the farm and showcasing them at events, every day brings a mix of challenges and triumphs. Though the work is rigorous, …
Why might someone end up with a crowded koi pond in the first place? For starters, we send newcomers who show the faintest interest in our ponds to a koi show in the area. They attend, just to see what it is that makes koi or fancy goldfish so special to us, and before they …
Many of us can attribute our love of fish of all kinds to the very first fish we cared for as a child, which probably was a common goldfish- in a classic goldfish bowl. As time progresses, many of us move on to other varieties and leave the goldfish as a fond memory of the …
When hand feeding koi, start with a flavorful and floating koi food that your fish like to eat. Don’t try to entice them to eat something they are unfamiliar with. Go to the pond at the same time every day to feed. Choose a spot where the water has sufficient depth so your fish can …
When pond owners ask for the “friendly koi,” you can be relatively certain that they are requesting a Chagoi. The Chagoi, (chah-goy), is a non-metallic, brown-colored, scaled koi. It is known for several unique qualities, with friendliness and social behavior being most notable. It is a fast-growing variety that can reach enormous length and girth. …
In December 2023, an opportunity came across our lap to join Russell Peters of PS Koi, America’s top koi dealer, on one of his infamous koi trips. As one of the youngest koi dealers growing and learning in this industry, I knew that this was an opportunity I may never get again. Without hesitation, I …
For the koi dealers at Fitz’s Fish Ponds, this process of selecting, growing & sourcing elite-level koi rings true. While in Japan, we had an excellent customer, Andrew Sandler of Polo Reef, who was looking for a top-tier koi. We were soon on a mission to source a winner. Communication with different breeders began to …
No matter how many koi shows you attend, no matter how well versed you become in the hobby and industry, and no matter how much of an expert you are on what judges look for when assessing an elite-level koi, there is no such thing as a sure thing. Ultimately, the contest is left to …
For hundreds of years, breeders have developed many varieties and improved the beauty of koi through friendly competition. Golden corn and Aragoke are the most unique and newest creations in recent years. I would like to share what I found out about Aragoke from the creator, Mr. Toshinobu Ikarashi of Ikarashi Koi Farm. Farm Beginnings …
There’s a prevailing misconception that domestic koi are of lower quality than their Japanese counterparts. However, it’s important to note that both domestic and Japanese koi originate from the same roots — challenging the notion of inherent superiority. Domestic koi often match or surpass the quality of imported koi, regardless of the national origin of …