I’ve been fortunate enough to earn a living from the ornamental fish hobby since I was first attracted to the world of ornamental fish in my early teens. I’ve experienced aquatic retail, lecturing and training, manufacturing and wholesale – but perhaps the most memorable period so . . . → Read More: 01. Koi farming guide. Why Farm koi?
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Koi Goldfish If you’re koi crazy, or simply looking to add a few koi to your existing pond, then this is the section for you. Find information on koi filters, koi pond water quality, koi varieties and lots lots more koi stuff. There’s also a section on Goldfish – We think these enigmatic standard-bearers of all ornamental pond fish deserve a subsection all to themselves
I have farmed koi on a hi-tech farm that was already up and running, and have designed and built an ornamental carp farm from scratch. In either situation, it is easy to underestimate the real costs involved in setting up (and in the first case improving . . . → Read More: 02. What you need to farm koi
By now you will have spent many thousands of pounds on constructing and developing your new koi farm and hatchery, and already the clock is ticking on the time by which you need to see a return on your investment. As we will see, although you . . . → Read More: 03. How to farm koi
You will have been planning and working towards this day all year and from experience, depending on how it goes, can prove to be one of the most infuriating and rewarding times of the koi farming calendar. This is when you can see whether your preparations . . . → Read More: 04. Spawning koi – Hatching eggs to fry.
Last month we had successfully spawned our koi and hatched out their eggs to produce a hatchery full of fry. These have now been stocked out into our live-food-rich mud ponds. It’s June and we’ve got to get our koi fry as large as possible by . . . → Read More: 05. Growing koi fry, harvesting and selling koi.
When did you last attend or witness an awards ceremony? Your child’s sports day perhaps or the OSCARS or BAFTAS on TV? The edited highlights of the televised awards generally show the most prestigious categories receiving their awards followed shortly by the winner’s thanks and acknowledgements for . . . → Read More: Bagging transporting koi and goldfish
Bead filters represent a departure from ‘traditional’ pond filtration. How are they different, what do they offer and could you or your fish benefit from bead filtration? Pond keeping, especially if it involves koi can be an expensive business. As more of us focus our creativity to . . . → Read More: Bead Pond Filters. To bead or not to bead?
Goldfish were ‘discovered’ by mistake, when their brown ancestors were bred for food thousands of years ago in China. Now they are bred commercially across many continents to feed our eyes and our insatiable demand for glowing pond dwellers. Related to the carp, the goldfish spawns like . . . → Read More: Breeding goldfish in a pond
I have been a koi keeper for five years now and I haven’t bought any koi for the last three years. My pond is approximately 3,000 gallons and has nine koi. They are all between three and four years old and range from 20cm to 45cm . . . → Read More: Breeding koi in a pond
Dear Ben, I am a furious mother who stupidly trusted her 17 year old son to stay at home, and look after the house and koi while my husband and I went on holiday. We got back to find several cigarette ends in the koi pond, to . . . → Read More: Can Koi be poisoned by alcohol?
When we view a pond full of koi, swimming and thriving in a high quality pond environment, we are in fact witnessing the product and embodiment of thousands of different microscopic processes that will never be seen by our naked eye. Every time a koi eats . . . → Read More: Clays buffers in a Koi Pond.
The goldfish apparently has an identity crisis. It is a fish with a single name, but many guises, some as extreme as to suggest that they belong to another species. The goldfish has very humble beginnings, with its first natural mutation simply being a change in its . . . → Read More: Different goldfish varieties
As water passes from our tap, into our koi pond where it circulates for several weeks and is then discharged during a partial water change, it will experience different chemical processes. Having covered the basics of pond chemistry in the previous article, let’s take a look . . . → Read More: Garden pond water chemistry
Pond problem solver – gasping fish All pond fish breathe by pumping water over their gills to extract oxygen, which is dissolved in the pond water. Fortunately, compared to other fish species, the carp family do not require an especially high level of dissolved oxygen (DO) which . . . → Read More: Gasping pond fish
Go Sanke is the collective name given to describe the 3 most respected varieties of koi Kohaku Sanke Showa. They are highly regarded on account of their complex genetic make up which makes high quality specimens particularly difficult to produce. Kohaku. A white fish with hi (pronounce ‘he’) or red patterns. Due . . . → Read More: Go Sanke Koi Varieties. The Big Three.
More golden than a goldfish and at times too swift for the eye to follow, the orfe is a very popular and undemanding pondfish. The orfe (or ide) is quite a distant relative of the carp and is more accustomed to the dynamic life of a flowing . . . → Read More: Golden Orfe (Ide) Leuciscus idus
Goldfish are such a successful and indeed popular fish for the garden pond because they are so tolerant of a range of pond conditions. The goldfish is the golden variety of a lowland freshwater carp species whose biology and lifestyle is adapted to slow and still waters. Such . . . → Read More: Goldfish care and feeding
Goldfish fighting in a pond can be a real concern. Don’t worry – they are not. Goldfish do not have an angry bone in their body. Your goldfish are not fighting – they are breeding and spawning in your pond – Quite the opposite! . . . → Read More: Goldfish fighting in my pond?
As any responsible, loving parent will testify, it doesn’t matter how well you look out for your children’s welfare, at some time they are likely to experience an unpredictable eventuality or catch the latest bug that is ‘going around’. These health problems are recognised as the trials . . . → Read More: Goldfish health problems. Treating fish disease.
There may be a chance that last year’s hit movie, starring Bruce Willis was inspired the extraordinary sensory physiology that is shared by all fish (including koi). That is, their lateral line, often referred to as their sixth sense. A koi’s sixth sense capitalises on the physical . . . → Read More: How Koi see and hear.
Goldfish were ‘discovered’ by mistake, when their brown ancestors were bred for food thousands of years ago in China. Now they are bred commercially across many continents to feed our eyes and our insatiable demand for glowing pond dwellers. Related to the carp, the goldfish spawns like . . . → Read More: How To Breed Goldfish
Perhaps after keeping and growing koi successfully, the next challenge is to breed them. Fishkeepers of all disciplines are generally regarded as having achieved a higher level of fishkeeping once they have successfully bred and reared a species, having researched and planned carefully how to do . . . → Read More: How to breed koi. A comprehensive guide
If you are a keen gardener like me, you love to try new ideas that will add further interest to your garden, encouraging transient wildlife to stay a while or even take up residence. Trees can be planted, bird boxes and feeders erected all in the . . . → Read More: How to raise home-bred koi
In our current times of political correctness and equal opportunities, gender should no longer be considered an issue. The view held by society is changing, accepting that the sex of an individual is less of an issue when considering roles in secular work. Perhaps a little paradoxically, . . . → Read More: How to sex Koi. Male or female?
The goldfish can be regarded as the standard bearer of all ornamental fish. Initially kept and prized by the wealthy rulers of China over 1500 years ago, their legacy for us today is the world’s most widely kept pet, probably the first ornamental pet fish in . . . → Read More: Keeping Goldfish in a pond
Niigata is respected worldwide as the centre of the koi keeping hobby. The Niigata Prefecture is situated on the northern coast of Japan, directly north of Tokyo, approximately 2 hours’ travelling time on the Bullet train. The journey is quite an ear-popping experience as you rise into . . . → Read More: Koi Breeding Farming in Niigata
One of the many appeals of fishkeeping is that it can be enjoyed by such a wide range of people. If that were not true, then I wouldn’t have been able to start keeping fish all those years ago funded only by my meagre pocket money. . . . → Read More: Koi clubs and societies
Not a very pleasant headline, but all the same a very realistic issue that in the experiences of a pond owner or koi keeper, will at some stage, probably become a reality. The background to such a fatality may be along the lines of the following. The . . . → Read More: Koi dies suddenly
The ‘living Koi pond’, whether a clear and circulating or natural and clay-based, consists of a living highway of biological processes that interact with each other to form an aquatic environment. In a natural water body, food and energy will cycle through a chain of closely . . . → Read More: Koi Digestion Excretion
The more we know and understand about certain aspects of our life, the more we can appreciate them. I remember the first time I learnt and understood how an engine worked, I was amazed that our family car actually worked knowing its old age and history. . . . → Read More: Koi digestive system. How it works
Every single koi that is produced in Niigata, Japan, is the culmination of generations of talent and expertise dedicated to the production of the world’s most beautiful koi. In fact, it is fair to say that even with everything else that Niigata has to offer koi . . . → Read More: koi farmers of niigata
Koi eat to live (except Chagoi that obviously live to eat!) and a koi’s physiology is adapted to be able to consume and digest a vast array of living and dead food materials. The processed and manufactured artificial diets that are routinely offered to koi bear . . . → Read More: Koi goldfish digestion
We have already seen how the carp is an adaptable fish by being so productive in a varied and changing food environment. The carp’s productivity is even more remarkable when taking a closer look at its digestive system. Generally, digestion takes place in the gut by way . . . → Read More: Koi goldfish digestion – Stomachless fish.
Koi eat to live (except Chagoi that obviously live to eat!) and a koi’s physiology is adapted to be able to consume and digest a vast array of living and dead food materials. The processed and manufactured artificial diets that are routinely offered to koi bear . . . → Read More: Koi Goldfish Digestion.
The koi keeping hobby in the UK is served by a truly global industry. A combination of climatic, cultural and historical influences has lead to the vast majority of koi that are traded in the UK each year being produced and imported from abroad. In fact, more . . . → Read More: Koi Herpes Virus (KHV). What is it?
I am about to start building my first ever koi pond but wanted to ask some advice first on which style to have. My garden has a lot of clay in the soil and is very rich in minerals and nutrients (I’ve had it tested), so I . . . → Read More: Koi in mud ponds
Unfortunately, the numbers of koi suffering from ulcers has increased over recent years. The majority of koi keepers will have experienced this problem and had mixed results in successfully treating koi with ulcers. In many respects, an ulcer represents a real challenge to a koi keeper . . . → Read More: Koi or gold fish has ulcers
Koi is an abbreviation of nishikigoi, a general term given by the Japanese to coloured koi with markings which are bred for their ornamental value. Their origin can be traced as far back as 2500 years ago when the word koi was first used to describe . . . → Read More: Koi origins. What are they and where have they come from?
Aeration … Oxygen is the essence of life and is required in abundance in a well stocked koi pond. Oxygen quite readily dissolves passively diffusing from the atmosphere, but this limited amount is insufficient to satisfy the demands of koi and other oxygen-loving pond organisms such as . . . → Read More: Koi pond aeration
The most appealing part of koi keeping is marvelling at a pond full of ornamental beauty. The challenge in achieving that ultimate goal is to be able to understand and master the many practical demands put on a koi keeper. Some of these practical challenges, on . . . → Read More: Koi pond filtration
Installing a bio filter is the price we have to pay for wanting to keep koi in an artificial pond. It performs the functions that occur naturally in a lake or river within a compact unit and is arguably the single most important factor that makes . . . → Read More: Koi pond filtration
Fishkeeping should be available on prescription from the NHS. Scientifically proven to cause a drop in blood pressure and reduce heart rate, watching fish should be recommended to anyone who feels they need some stress relief. Be it lounging by a pool, lapping up the gentle movements . . . → Read More: Koi pond fish stress
Koi breathe by pumping water over their gills to extract essential oxygen, which is invisibly dissolved in the pond water. Fortunately, compared to other fish species, koi do not require an especially high level of dissolved oxygen (DO) which makes them relatively undemanding in this area. Even . . . → Read More: Koi pond oxygen
I found it difficult to follow and understand, could not see at the time why I needed it and having scraped through the exam promptly forgot most of it – ‘O’ Level Physics! One law I do remember though (and thank you ‘Chopper’ Williams, for explaining it . . . → Read More: Koi pond water affected by pond medications
Koi are vertebrates, clearly benefiting from having an internal backbone and skeleton. Koi belong to the most advanced group of fish called teleosts which describes their bony skeleton (compared to a less rigid cartilaginous skeletons found in sharks and rays). We should not think of the . . . → Read More: Koi skeleton
Koi are blessed with a multi-layered external barrier consisting of both skin and scales that protects them from the perils of pond life as well as gracing them with a magnificent livery. We can be guilty of regarding scales a the koi’s primary means of protection, . . . → Read More: Koi skin scales
Fishkeeping should be available on prescription from the NHS. Scientifically proven to cause a drop in blood pressure and reduce heart rate, watching fish should be recommended to anyone who feels they need some stress relief. Be it lounging by a pool, lapping up the gentle movements . . . → Read More: Koi Stress. How to reduce it.
Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, man has been struggling with the problems of an imperfect world such as weeds, death and disease. This is very true for the koi keeper who over the years has been forced to experiment with . . . → Read More: Koi treatments pond medications
Unfortunately, the numbers of koi suffering from ulcers has increased over recent years. The majority of koi keepers will have experienced this problem and had mixed results in successfully treating koi with ulcers. In many respects, an ulcer represents a real challenge to a koi keeper . . . → Read More: Koi ulcers
Koi or nishikigoi (Japanese for coloured carp) originate from the paddy fields of Asia and Japan. Like most ornamental pond fish, koi were discovered quite by accident as coloured genetic mutations (accidents of nature) from native black carp which the farmers had introduced from Asia. The carp . . . → Read More: Koi – Background and origins
Koi or nishikigoi (Japanese for coloured carp) originate from the paddy fields of Asia and Japan. Like most ornamental pond fish, koi were discovered quite by accident as coloured genetic mutations (accidents of nature) from native black carp which the farmers had introduced from Asia. The carp . . . → Read More: Koi – Nishikigoi – Cyprinus carpio.
The naturally occurring high quality livefood encountered by fish in the natural pond environment is the envy of commercial food manufacturers who try to match the high standard set by nature in an artificial bait. In a totally natural pond or lake situation the success of . . . → Read More: Koi, goldfish natural pond diet
Q: We have just sold our house and are in the process of packing up to move in a couple of weeks. Thankfully the new house does have a pond so I am not worried about where to put my Koi when we get there, just . . . → Read More: Moving house. Moving koi
Ooh, down a bit, down a bit, a little to the right, a little more, just a bit harder, yes that’s just the spot! Why is it that when we’ve got an ‘itch’ we just can’t reach it and no matter how well you direct someone . . . → Read More: My koi keep flicking flashing?
Ooh, down a bit, down a bit, a little to the right, a little more, just a bit harder, yes that’s just the spot! Why is it that when we’ve got an ‘itch’ we just can’t reach it and no matter how well you direct someone . . . → Read More: My koi keep flicking or scratching.
Quite a common problem experienced by fish keeper is losing fish after they have recently been There are 2 likely causes: 1. If the aquarium is a new set-up, then fish are lost through a phenomenon known as ‘New Tank Syndrome’
When travelling through Niigata in search of koi to bring back to the UK, it’s not long until you discover the infrastructure that works behind the scenes to meet the world’s insatiable demand for world-class koi. Along the meandering roadside, painted signs that try to outshine . . . → Read More: Niigata Japan – Koi Farming Centre
Some of the world’s greatest discoveries were discovered quite by accident. Penicillin, X-Rays, Teflon and even Post-It Notes were discovered by people who were preoccupied by unrelated areas of work. They have all since been developed and made available to rest of the world. Looking back at . . . → Read More: Niigata the birthplace of koi.
Garden Pond Design & Construction Guide
Pressure filters for garden ponds first appeared on retailers’ shelves just over 10 years ago. Most of us were then more familiar with the aquarium pressurised canister filters. These top-end pieces of aquarium hardware worked perfectly, undisturbed for months hidden inside the aquarium cabinet . Many . . . → Read More: Pressurised pond filters.
If your aquatic store serves the outdoor water gardening segment then one of the must-have stock lines is pumps. When a new pondkeeper embarks on their first pond project, it is usual for their first purchase to include the pond / liner, filter and pump all together. . . . → Read More: Selling pond pumps
Q: I want to exhibit my koi but don’t know where to start? I have been a koi keeper for about five years now and have a number of quality koi that I think are worthy of entering into a koi show. The trouble is I have . . . → Read More: Showing Koi
I cannot understand why I lose fish at Spring time. My pond is approximately 1,500-gallons and has a very good waterfall and a venturi which are both switched off during the winter. My filter is always working and consists of a 30W UVS. The water goes . . . → Read More: Spring koi death
The Sterlet – Acipenser ruthenus The Sterlet can be described as a prehistoric fish which dates back to the dinosaurs. Its ancient ancestry is also quite clear when looking at its body form, looking completely alien in a pond when compared to other traditional pond fish. The Sterlet, . . . → Read More: Sterlets Tench – Bottom Feeding Pond Fish
Not a very pleasant headline, but all the same a very realistic issue that in the experiences of a pond owner or koi keeper, will at some stage, probably become a reality. The background to such a fatality may be along the lines of the following. The . . . → Read More: Sudden koi death
“Summer time, and the living is easy, Fish are jumping and the cotton is high…..” This is what we’ve all been waiting for. Preparing our koi pond through any winter worries, ensuring that the koi have come through their ‘rest period’ free from any health problems. Spring . . . → Read More: Summer Koi Pond Care.
I suspect that the koi hobby is just like any other in that it benefits from a thriving grapevine. Fuelled by speculation, conversation and innovation, word soon seems to travel through the industry, especially when a rare nugget of information is unearthed. This was certainly the . . . → Read More: The Skimmer Filter – Savio
The goldfish has been subjected to rigorous selection by man in his quest to develop and improve certain desirable physical characteristics. The longer tails of the comet goldfish, the range of colours available in shubunkins and even the bubble-eyes and pearly scales of the fancier varieties offer . . . → Read More: What fish are compatible with goldfish in a pond?
Dear Ben I have a great 2000 gallon pond and a mixture of koi and orfe in my pond. My filter system is quite a straight forward gravity fed filter, and I have three airstones plus a UV. My pond is quite heavily shaded by tall trees, hence . . . → Read More: What has poisoned my koi?
Just as China is renowned for its tea, Italy for its pasta and France for its wine, then Japan has a reputation for producing the most impressive Koi. Cultures that have been the first to pioneer a specialised form of are usually in the best position to . . . → Read More: Where do koi come from?
Like many successful ideas, designs or inventions, their secret to longevity and widespread acclaim is down to their simplicity. What you see is what you get and any additional frills or detail would detract from what would otherwise be simply beautiful. The goldfish’s popularity goes far deeper . . . → Read More: Why are goldfish so popular?
Over the last few months I have asked a wide range of koi keepers that same question and although most of their answers were different, I was surprised by how long it took each of them to reply with their definitive answer. The fact that I . . . → Read More: Why become a koi keeper? Kill blanketweed and string algae. |
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