As temperatures continue to rise, we are constantly looking for new ways to keep your Koi and Butterfly Koi cool and safe during transit. We have recently introduced our newest insulation option, the Nature Safe Biodegradable Liner. The Nature Safe Biodegradable Liner is over 1 inch thick, and offers superior insulation when compared to the Climate […]
Koi and Color Loss
Color loss. It’s a great source of concern (and irritation!) for many koi kichi. To see the colors for which this fish is famed lessen, change or disappear completely is not only saddening, but to some, maddening. So why do koi lose their color? Perhaps it is important to look at where the colors come […]
Koi Ponds and Snakes
Probably the most worrisome part of cohabitating with snakes is the fear of being bitten. But for koi owners and their koi ponds, it’s the idea that they can lose some to predation by snakes. Especially in those states where snakes are commonplace visitors. There are 160 species of snake in North America. Only 20 […]
Buying and Selling Koi: A Cautionary Tale
Koi hobbyist. It’s probably one of the most misleading terms in the world of animal keeping. Yes, there are some that try it, even managing to quit it entirely. But for most, once the koi bug bites, it’s a lifetime where free (and sometimes not so free) time and spare (as well as not-so-spare) cash […]
Update on Koi and the Lacey Act
Back in October of 2016, the Center for Invasive Species Prevention (CISP) petitioned the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to add 43 new species to the Injurious Wildlife list. The Common Carp (and so, by extension, koi) were on that list. Had it been implemented, it could’ve crippled the koi industry. We say “could’ve,” because […]
Sabao Goldfish
Hailing from the Yamagata Prefecture in Northern Japan, the Sabao is a single caudal tailed fancy goldfish. The tail length can be both long and short. It comes down to personal preference. Sabao are a cross between the single-tailed Syounia and the twin-tailed Ryukin. The single tail of the Syounia was inherited whereas the body […]
Sink or Swim: Floating vs Sinking Koi Food
Any pet owner will attest to a certain amount of anxiety about which type of food is best suited to their pet. There are quite literally hundreds of choices for koi food available on the market. And the philosophies as to which is best is also a hotly debated topic. It is not only the […]
Mechanical Filtration for Your Koi and Koi Pond
Ammonia and nitrite may be the big killers in a koi pond, but almost as important as their removal is that of the other types of organic waste your koi produces. This is why proper and functioning mechanical filtration is critical. We have often stressed the importance of water quality. Especially when it comes to […]
Koi Pond Filtration: Zakki vs Bakki shower
Biological filtration is one of the cornerstones of water quality in any enthusiast’s koi pond. Some might argue that it is the alpha in clean water. Changing the lethal waste product of Ammonia (enthusiast: turns, spits) to its less lethal step-sibling Nitrite and finally into the somewhat less-destructive Nitrate is all part of the Nitrogen […]
2017 All Japan Koi Show: A View From the Inside
On February 4th and 5th, the most prestigious Koi Show on earth enjoys its 49th event at the Tokyo Ryutsu Centre. The Shinkokai All Japan Show features some of the finest examples of Nishikigoi in the world, with the Grand Champions often getting sold in the six figure range. Although the show is advertised as […]