Black Koi Matter. Join the Karasu movement.

Ask a koi keeper how they first became introduced to koi fish and they will likely recall a story of how they came across a pond, so long ago, that contained these delightfully colorful and friendly fish. Many koi keepers are drawn into the keeping of koi because of the beautiful clean bright colors of red, white, orange, and yellow. These colors are so pure, so attractive, so positively eye-catching. Not many koi keepers will recall being drawn to the black of the koi, the sumi. The appreciation of black, the appreciation of sumi, typically comes after keeping koi for some time. That subtle allure, that appreciation of black ends up becoming a major factor in high quality koi choices. Indeed, black koi matter.

Read More

A guy walks into a room…
No this is not a joke…
A guy walks into a room filled with people.

What you just read a fraction of a second ago has already filled your head with potential stories as to what could be happening from that very simple statement.
A guy walks into a room, and a whole new world of possibilities opens.

Read More

The Dojo got some mojo!

     The Dojo loach that is. Also known as the pond loach or oriental loach, but best known as the weather loach. The weather loach is an amazing fish that has had a relationship with mankind going back thousands of years; making it one of the oldest “domesticated” fish swimming this planet. The weather loach, or Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, has served mankind as a food fish, as an aquarium pet, and as a pond bottom feeder; but it is best known for its ability to predict weather!

Read More

    In today’s world of competitive koi shows the Asagi koi variety is still ranking in the champion categories on a regular basis, across a wide spectrum of koi shows around the world. The Asagi koi variety even has very strong showings in the world class All Japan Koi Show. This is pretty impressive for the Asagi considering all the razzmatazz and hubbidydoo that surrounds many of the “newer” varieties of koi, all this new artwork/koi that has been created. With its long history making the Asagi the “original” ornamental carp, the artwork of the Asagi koi variety still stands the test of time as the nishikigoi hobby heads towards its 200 year mark.

Read More

Probably the biggest misconception I see among pond owners is that introducing a catfish to the backyard pond or water garden will help keep your pond cleaner. With respect I’d like to burst the bubble on that school of thought. Catfish, although scavengers, will not do anything to actually help keep your koi pond water garden clean; and may actually have a greater impact on lowering the overall water quality of your pond than your traditional koi and goldfish will!

Read More

You say Shubunkin, I say Shuboykin

You say Shubumpkin, I Shubunkin

Let’s call it all the same… or are they?!

 

Shubunkin, the poor man’s koi, are beautiful and easy to care for calico goldfish. Shubunkin make a great choice for the backyard water garden pond adding color and liveliness to any setting. As a pond fish the shubunkin are cold hardy, can tolerate a wide spectrum of water conditions, accept many foods, and will reproduce pretty readily in a typical pond set up. They are available from most pond fish sellers; and with a reasonable price tag they have become a popular choice for water garden and pond owners.

Read More