Garden, Deck & Landscape
(A special interest publication of
Better Homes and Gardens)
Summer 2006

The Joy of Koi
Flamboyant and friendly, koi bring backyard ponds to life. Here's how to bring the right koi to your pond.

People wouldn't be so keen to add koi to their backyard ponds if the fish looked more like their relative, the common carp. But koi are about as different from their drab cousins as they can get. Prized for their brilliant hues and distinct markings, they are seen by many pond enthusiasts as a water garden’s crowning jewel.

Such popularity means they are for sale at places ranging from pet stores and big-box retailers to garden centers and koi breeders, with a range of price tags to match. With so many places to shop for fish, it’s important to know that all koi are not equal. Though koi are generally hardy, long-lived creatures, they cam become ill if not bred, cared for, and handled properly.

Ellen and Myron Kloubec, owners of Kloubec Koi Farm in Amana, Iowa, have been raising koi with the help of their son Nick for 20 years. According to Ellen, the most important advice is to buy from a place that takes good care of its fish. That usually means sticking to garden centers, water-garden specialty shops and koi breeders. Look around to see whether the store looks clean and well-kempt. Then watch the fish. Don’t let yourself be dazzled by their colors—look at how the fish behave. Healthy koi will be swimming actively and should seem alert. Their eyes should be clear and they should be free of sores and broken fins.

Koi prices can vary from a few bucks to thousands of dollars, depending on variety, size, age, and whether the fish has been imported. Though collectors may willingly plunk down a large sum for a prize specimen, Ellen and Myron recommend that new koi hobbyists start out with smaller, less-expensive fish, which can be had for between $10 and $20.

If you are willing to buy koi without the benefit of seeing the fish first, you can buy from online vendors, who may offer a wider selection. But stick to reputable dealers; ask local koi enthusiasts who they recommend. To give your koi a good start, read up on how to feed and handle them before they arrive at your home.

SIDEBAR 1: Koi to go

Though it sounds strange to send live fish through the mail, the Koubecs ship koi across the nation and the fish do just fine.

To ensure each fish has a safe journey, the Kloubec’s pack each one in an oxygen-inflated plastic bag with enough water to keep the fish relaxed and comfortable. Each bag is wrapped in a cushion and then placed inside a shipping carton.

SIDEBAR 2: Koi are available in many colors and patterns. Here are some of the most popular varieties.

Sanke—An attractive, three-color koi that adds variety to any pond.

Karasu Butterfly—Japanese legend says every pond should have a one black koi for luck.

Yamabuki Ogon—These shiny fish lack the blotchy markings common on other koi.

Showa—This popular koi is known for its powerful, deep-black markings.

Kin Kikokuryu—This relatively rare variety known for its unusual markings.

Kohaku—This koi, prized for its simple elegance, is often the beginner's choice.

Gin Rin Hi Utsuri—Metallic-looking scales cast iridescent sparkles in sunlight.