Quick Answer Koromo (also called Goromo) is a white koi with a Kohaku-style red pattern, distinguished by blue or black edging on the red scales specifically — not the whole body — giving a delicate net-like texture within the pattern itself. It originated in the 1950s from crossing a Kohaku with a Narumi Asagi, and
Koromo Koi: The Complete Guide to Ai, Budo, and Sumi Goromo Read More »
Quick Answer Start a koi fish drawing with a curved “gesture line” capturing the fish’s swimming motion before adding any shapes — this single step is what most beginner tutorials skip, and it’s the difference between a stiff-looking koi and one that reads as actually swimming. From there, build the body around that line, add
Koi Fish Drawing: Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners Read More »
Quick Answer A UV clarifier passes pond water past a UV-C lamp that disrupts algae cells’ ability to reproduce, clearing green water within a week or two and helping control harmful bacteria. Size the unit to your pond’s actual volume and match its flow-rate rating to your pump — an undersized unit or one running
Best UV Light for Koi Pond: Sizing Guide and Top Picks Read More »
Quick Answer Fast koi for 24-48 hours before transport to reduce waste buildup, then use a properly sized, double-bagged transport bag with room for oxygen. Keep the water temperature stable and the bag as still as possible, minimize light and stress with a cover, and re-acclimate gradually over about 30 minutes at the destination —
how to transport koi fish The Ultimate Guide to Transporting Koi Fish Without Harming Read More »
Quick Answer The two most common koi anesthetics are MS-222 (tricaine) at 50-100 mg/L for anesthesia, and clove oil (eugenol) at 25-50 mg/L. MS-222 must be buffered with sodium bicarbonate — used unbuffered, it acidifies the water and can damage a koi’s skin and eyes. For minor handling, gently spinning the fish in a bowl
Koi Anesthesia: How to Safely Sedate Koi for Treatment Read More »
Quick Answer The most celebrated koi varieties span the classic Gosanke trio (Kohaku, Sanke, Showa), striking black-based Utsurimono (Hi Utsuri, Ki Utsuri), the metallic Ogon and Kujaku, and rarer types like Tancho and Shusui — each judged on a different combination of color depth, pattern balance, and body shape. Koi fish are among the most
10 Most Beautiful Koi Fish Varieties in the World Read More »
Quick Answer There’s no single objective “best” koi farm in Japan — different farms lead in different varieties. Sakai Fish Farm dominates Kohaku competition awards and bred 5 of the last 10 All Japan Koi Show Grand Champions; Dainichi is the name most associated with Showa and the broader Gosanke bloodlines; Omosako leads in Shiro
Best Koi Farms in Japan: Sakai, Dainichi, Omosako & More Read More »
Quick Answer Use plain, non-iodized salt — sodium chloride (NaCl) with no additives — never table salt with iodine or anti-caking agents. For general support, 0.1% (1 lb per 100 gallons) is a common ongoing low dose. For treating parasites, 0.3% (2.5 lbs per 100 gallons) is the standard therapeutic concentration, added gradually over 2-3
What Kind of Salt to Use in a Koi Pond (And How Much) Read More »
Quick Answer Potassium permanganate for koi is dosed one of two ways: a prolonged bath at 2-3 mg/L (ppm) for 4-6 hours, or a short dip at 10-20 mg/L for up to 30 minutes. The two concentrations aren’t interchangeable — never combine a high-concentration dip’s dosage with a prolonged bath’s duration. Always weigh crystals precisely,
Potassium Permanganate for Koi: Safe Dosing Guide Read More »
Quick Answer The best koi pond pump depends on your pond size and setup: submersible pumps suit ponds up to about 5,000-6,000 gallons and are easier to install, while external pumps handle larger ponds better and last longer (5-15 years vs. 2-5). The number on the box isn’t the number you’ll actually get, though —
Best Koi Pond Pumps: Sizing, Head Height, and Top Picks Read More »