Koi

Koi are coloured carp, developed from mutant fish found among stock kept by Japanese rice farmers to provide food during the winter. They are now bred all over the world.

In the UK, Koi keeping took off in the late 1960s, when plastic bags enabled the fish to be safely air-freighted from Japan. The average UK Koi pond is probably 2,000 gallons and above, square or rectangular and 3–4ft deep, with either pump-fed or gravity-fed filtration.

In a typical first pond there will be around a dozen small (10–12in) Koi, allowing some margin for growth. The bare minimum of equipment needed includes a circulatory water pump, a filter, an air pump and UV unit for clarity – all with associated pipework. Labour is a large part of the cost of pond building, but if you do the groundwork yourself you could probably own a starter Koi pond for around £1,500 – many have done more for less, and in terms of pond size, providing you have the space and enthusiasm, the sky’s the limit!

Most new Koi keepers shop at their nearest good dealer – that way they will learn the basics and avoid early mistakes. The internet is another good source of information for recent Koi shipments, while forums, chatrooms and dealer-based websites all add to its attraction. You can interact with other hobbyists without ever meeting them face to face.

Despite technology, the club and show scene in the UK is still strong, although membership and attendance numbers are not as buoyant as they were 10 years ago. The BKKS (British Koi-Keepers' Society), and the ZNA, as well as many independent Koi clubs in the UK, are well worth joining, for social as well as practical reasons.
 

Written by Nick Fletcher

Illustration courtesy of Emma Nicholls