in your opinion, what makes the nishikigoi hobby different from others?

[lildude]

Let it roll out of you! I know its in you all. Post why a portion of your life is dedicated to life long road of koi. Write in whatever form of writing you wish. The point of this thread is the appreciation of our common interest, koi!


Here's mine.

There is something about a healthy, irridescent nishikigoi gliding just below the water level that captivates me. Seeing seemingly unnatural colors exist in a fish that is freshwater fish! Freshwater fish do not normally have such BRILLIANT colors. That trait is supposed to be in saltwater fish!
seeing the Pectoral fins outstretch like carefully designed wings and moving is such precise movements to navigate the koi exactly where it chooses to go, Perfectly right in its existence.
In a weird way, the nishikigoi somehow symbolizes me.

[Graham]

To me it is no different than other parts of the ornamantal fish hobby, but just one more step within the hobby. Husbandry wise, I've kept much more difficult fish, both fresh and marine, so its not that aspect, koi are easy to look after

I think that a lot of it would be the friends that have been made over the years besides having some big fish to look after

[KoiCop]

Here's what I think: I think I'm going to puke.

[lildude]

Originally Posted by Graham

To me it is no different than other parts of the ornamantal fish hobby, but just one more step within the hobby. Husbandry wise, I've kept much more difficult fish, both fresh and marine, so its not that aspect, koi are easy to look after

I think that a lot of it would be the friends that have been made over the years besides having some big fish to look after

I agree with your passage. I have made a lot of friends too!
I hear that marine fish are way way difficult to keep, but I have also heard the opposite. The same w/ koi as well. Some say its hard at first (and I agree), but in the end it becomes easy.

I think I may have miscommunicated what I was trying to get at.


"why do you think you click with the koi hobby rather than others?"

[Brutuscz]

Originally Posted by KoiCop

Here's what I think: I think I'm going to puke.

Now, now Koicop.....We know it can only get worse from here

[aquitori]

What makes this hobby different from others?

I think this question needs to be broken into 2 sub categories...
a. Club level
b. Non-club level

[moikoi]

What makes this hobby different from others?

answer....koi hobbyist must be rich?

[Russell Peters]

Originally Posted by lildude

In a weird way, the nishikigoi somehow symbolizes me.

Is this what the hobby has become?

[princessyella]

Puking? Really? It's such a shame that some people insist on spreading their sour attitudes on to someone who is truely captivated by the one thing that unites all of us in this hobby...the love of Koi.

I've followed so many threads over that past few weeks and I have to say that I'm disgusted by the way that ADULTS are addressing eachother, let alone how some adults are responding to a young man who has done nothing but try to express his passion for Koi. Do we really think that this is the best way to attract new people to this hobby? This young man has demonstrated his willingness to learn about every aspect of the hobby, from learning Japanese to learning about the different types of filtration and pond building techniques, and what do we respond with? Puking? Snide remarks about Koi hobbyists being wealthy. It's sad to me, as a professional in this field, to see how a forum created to unite us in our common interest can succeed in breeding bad attitudes and what equates to a public *****-fest about every imaginable topic associated with Koi. I'm not saying that everyone is to blame. Unfortunately, there are just a few posters who for one reason or another find it necessary create to an unpleasant and aggressive atmosphere. What is the point?

It seems like there are some people who just wait for someone to say something that they can jump on with a snide remark or ridiculous comment and then see what chaos insues. It's sad really, because it has nothing to do with our love of Koi. This young man really wants to know why we love koi, outside of our opinions on pond design, media type, fall protocol preferences, blah blah blah. He wants to know the real reason we're attracted to these fish. Unfortunately, I think that some people have a passion for the conflict on the forum and not the fish.

Here's the thing, I realize that I'm probably going to be attacked for saying what I've said, but the sad thing is is that I'd be attacked or saying a number of things on this forum. I've never posted, eventhough I have alot to contribute regarding pond construction and filtration, because I didn't want to be a target in the shooting gallery that is what this forum often becomes. But it was the complete lack of respect toward a budding hobbyist that made me want speak up and say that we should really think about how these forums reflect on our hobby.

That being said, I hope to see you all at shows next year. I'll be the one with the big red target on my forehead.

[Lee]

You can't be really serious...with that question or with some of the answers just read above...

This is a hobby far less expensive to enjoy than that of golf or motor boat or horse racing. Or, owning a fishing boat. Or, owning an airplane. Or, auto racing. Collecting master art work. Or, most other hobbies with perhaps the exception of t-shirt button collecting.

There are different levels to all life experiences. Marriage and child rearing included.

I think for anyone to truly love this hobby ~ you paraticularly have to be deeply passionate about owning several pairs of shoes which all seriously stink of fish poop, as well as, continiously having your hands, knees or elbows either in the process of healing from a deep cut or actively bleeding.

You have to look forward to drinking beer with good friends at a koi show, as well as, applauding the other guy at the same koi show with an obviously poorer quality fish than your own who wins a more important award.

Or, not being even slightly insulted for not having any idea on how to do brain surgery on a koi underwater which is a wholly different species than your own and which doesn't speak any language which you know and which cannot tell you it's degree of need or it's true ailment.

It also requires spending endless hours trying to stop a pipe leak in a tropical rain or stealing fuel to keep your air pumps operating post a major hurricane for the only fuel consuming generator you have - while your own food spoils and you are stinking of sweat and you have no fresh food for yourself or wife, but you are keeping your koi food fresh...and, your fish alive and well.

The koi hobby also includes having the deepest respect and actually being in total love being insulted by someone in the hobby who knows far more about fish keeping than yourself. And, growing all the more in love with those who insult you as they really do know more than you about koi keeping and all issues related thereto.

Simply, it is the near the same level of pleasures which are no doubt similar to those seen on the faces of inmates in government operated mental insitutions...who are smiling and laughing through-out each day; for no apparent reason that anyone can tell.

For me, in addition to all the above, there is just no more satisfying hobby than koi keeping.

In fact, I cannot name all of the reasons in this brief opportunity why I love this hobby. However, the above does touch the surface of a few of the reasons...

I suppose there are untold numbers of others, as well.

With my sincerst and warmest hugs from the hot tropiks,

Lee Aronfeld
Grand Cayman