[Brady Brandwood]

Mike has some very wise words in his post,... there is fish keeping,... and there is “Nishikigoi”, and there IS a lot of difference between the two. We all have things we need to try just once,... but backyard Koi breeding shouldn’t be taken lightly.

As just one example,... a friend in my area of the US was gathering a very nice collection of Koi, carefully choosing good potential show fish, on an average budget,... he was beginning to do very well at shows, advancing quickly,... BUT then decided that he wanted to try breeding his own Koi,... so he dug a couple of small earth bottom ponds in his back yard, changing the face of his yard, and changing his property value,... he began breeding his Koi, and has been “tinkering” with it for 5 years now,... and has NO Koi of any value to show for it,... in 5 years, after spending many dollars and a many, many, hours of personal time,... he now has an overcrowding of Koi at his house, most very poor examples of Koi that he in his eyes sees as special, but only because he “bred” them himself,... as a result of this his collection of Show Koi has gone to pieces. What his breeding effort has done is actually sent him spiraling backwards in the Koi hobby, rather than forward. He is now keeping “colored carp” rather than Nishikigoi.

Ther are other issues that should be considered,... such as what will you do with your “culls”,... 1 year olds,... 2 year olds that don’t make the grade,... a single Koi parent produces many many offspring. Selling them removes you from “amateur” status, which means you shouldn’t be showing your Koi, and selling some too,... other “dealers” in your area could see that as unfair, since professionals are discouraged from showing their own Koi, (to raise the value of them in an amateur event.) Giving your culls away may be taking dinner from the table of some in you area that make a living in the Koi business.

These are just a couple of things to consider before “investing” in Koi breeding. Consider what it is that you want to accomplish carefully,.... consider what "Nishikigoi" are.

Buying a few very nice young show Koi from professional breeders, and giving them the very best care you can, challenging yourself to raise them to their genetic potential is a route that should be looked at. Show them,... compete,... challenge yourself,... or, enjoy them as living art.

Best Wishes,
Brady Brandwood