Detailed explanation of koi variety characteristics: when buying, first choose the breeding farm
A. It must have superior bloodlinekoi breedingfarm: koi breeding farms come in various types: some are own producers, some buy in bulk from producers and resell, and some do both. As long as you choose a place that has the koi you like. Those who invest huge amounts of money to stock large quantities of koi, or those who buy cheaply and sell on a small scale, each have their advantages and are worth dealing with, but the main thing is that they should be dealers who sell koi of superior bloodline.
If it is a producer, then it must mainly produce from parent koi of superior bloodline, which means its appreciation ability must be strong. Some hobbyists spend huge amounts of money buying koi, yet they themselves do not understand koi appreciation at all, while some people gain deep insights from only a few short months of koi-keeping experience. This may be related to each person's talent and the degree of effort they put into study. Among dealers there are also those who sell koi as a business yet know almost nothing about koi, but there are also dealers with profound knowledge not inferior to that of fisheries scholars. Of course, what we should choose are dealers with these abilities, because only they can keep koi of good quality. It goes without saying that the excellence of famous dealers in the Echigo production area is beyond question.
B. The koi breeding farm owner must be honest, trustworthy, and a member of the AllJapan KoiDealers Cooperative: A designated dealer chosen with this in mind not only allows you to buy koi from them, but you can also ask them for services such as pond management or health management. If diseased koi appear, you can have them treated. Pond renovation can also be entrusted to them for design, construction, and boarding of the koi during construction. Sometimes, for growing giant koi, they are boarded in mud ponds, and when participating in shows, the transport of exhibited fish, and so on, the items requiring their services are too numerous to list, because choosing an honest and reliable koi breeding farm owner is an indispensable and important condition. In short, you must choose a dealer who provides thorough service. In particular, the entry procedures for the All Japan Nishikigoi Show can only be handled by members of the All Japan Koi Dealers Cooperative, so you must choose a dealer with cooperative membership.
C. The koi breeding farm must be close by: the dealer you choose must not be far from your home, because when koi suffer oxygen deprivation or disease, emergency service is needed, and it is also more convenient to go look for the koi you like when you have free time.
D. Choose a dealer who does brisk business: using spoiled or moldy feed has a great impact on koi health, so when purchasing feed you must choose a shop that does brisk business, because goods move in and out quickly, so you can buy fresh feed. For the above reasons, feed should not be stockpiled; ideally, buy fresh feed within the amount you need. In a busy shop, there are also more opportunities to see superior koi. Choose a dealer who can provide koi management and pond management services.
E. As a koi hobbyist: koi and pond management should be done with your own hands, yet oversights are often unavoidable, for example, the appearance of fish lice, the early signs of ulcer disease, or abnormalities in the filter chamber, and so on. At such times, if there is a dealer you regularly deal with to inspect and advise, it is a great help. Also, when you are away from home for a long time due to business trips or travel, you can entrust them with management.
F. You should choose a dealer who is skilled and careful in handling fish: koi kept in ponds have very weak resistance to external injuries, and slight abrasions or bruises easily become inflamed or turn into ulcer disease. Also, if during transport they are carelessly dropped or jump out of the tank, the pattern is often damaged, and the body shape may even become bent or the waist may become deformed. Drastic changes in water quality or water temperature will also harm koi, and in severe cases may lead to death. Therefore, the handling of koi must rely on a careful and experienced dealer.
II. Selection of varieties
For the koi in the pond to look luxurious and beautiful, it is best to make Kohaku,Taisho Sanke, and Showa Sanshoku the main stars. In terms of size, it is also better for these three kinds of fish to be larger. Just one or two Hikarimono or Kawarimono are enough as foils; if Hikarimono or Kawarimono are too huge, the beautiful appearance of groups such as Kohaku will be suppressed and ruined. Of course, everyone has different preferences, and emphasizing your own preferences is fine too. Also, during the keeping process there may be a period when you especially love Showa or a period when you are fascinated by Kawarimono, but it is still more appropriate to mainly use the above three kinds and combine them accordingly.
III. Purchase quantity
What is discussed here is not so much purchase quantity as the capacity of the pond. The wise way to keep them is of course to keep a small number. The first advantage of keeping a small number is that each fish can fully take in the natural food in the pond, allowing it to develop well. The second advantage is that there is less excrement, the degree of pond water pollution is low, and a healthy living environment for the koi can be maintained.
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