There are so many names for this variety — hirenaga (“long fin”), onaga (“long tail”), tenaga (“long arm”) and hagoromo (“celestial robe of an angel”) are just a few. I like to use Hirenaga, because it is the most commonly used. Hirenaga’s History Few people know that Hirenaga breeding traces back to Japan’s emperor. When …
Language of Koi | The Long-Finned Hirenaga Variety Read More »
I have seen tens of millions of koi and goldfish and have sold many of them. I’ve been present when a fish sold for $125,000. I’ve also been present when 10,000 fish sold for $1 each. All these experiences can be exciting the first time they happen, but the real excitement for koi breeders, shops and hobbyists lies in what I …
How many times have your pond customers asked for your help to select koi to purchase? What is the best way to help customers select koi fish to buy? There is no right or wrong way for customers to pick or select koi that they’d like to buy. Everyone has an opinion and personal taste …
One of the most important yet overlooked aspects to maintaining healthy koi is optimizing water quality. Although testing the water may be viewed as too expensive or time-consuming, it is still a necessary task to ensure healthy koi. Could you imagine living in a place where the air you breathe is so contaminated to the …
Language of Koi | Optimizing Water Quality for Your Koi Read More »
In this article, you will learn about identifying the ever-popular Kohaku patterns. Both body and head patterns will be discussed. Armed with this knowledge, you can help your aquatic customers discern between the different patterns and select a fish that they desire to purchase. Kohaku is one of the most popular varieties of koi. Often …
I’ve heard from some koi retailers that the shiny koi, or Hikari varieties, are usually the first to sell from their fish retail tanks. The shimmering beauty of all Hikari koi, whether single or multicolored, is eye-catching and very much admired by their customers. It’s the shiny metallic skin and flashy pectoral fins that make …
Language of Koi: The Shiny, Hikari Muji Varieties Read More »
Depending on how you categorize koi, it is said that there are as many as 120 different varieties. And the Ginrin variety definitely contributes to the wide-range attraction of koi. Ginrin is a unique variety because its shine can appear in almost all the varieties. Although Ginrin varieties are all shiny koi, there are distinctive …
Language of Koi | Ginrin Shine with Silver and Gold Read More »
Koromo and Goshiki are two separate koi varieties, but at almost all the koi shows, they are categorized as one. At a glance, they may look like completely different varieties. Their roots, however, are the same: Asagi and Kohaku. Because the Goshiki variety has advanced so much (as you can see in photo 1, above …
Language of Koi: Why you should sell Koromo and Goshiki Read More »
Tancho is not always a winner at koi shows. In fact, some koi shows do not even have a Tancho category. But it is not too much exaggeration to say that Tancho is one of the most popular varieties of koi. To be precise, Tancho is not really a fixed variety like the others. Rather, …
One of the most popular and important varieties of koi, Kohauku are beloved by beginner hobbyists and experts alike. But do you know how to assess the fish’s *Kiwa* or *Hi*? Learn what makes these prize-winning koi so unique, and you’ll appreciate Kohaku in a whole new way.