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Koi: A Complete Guide to their Care and Color Varieties
Keeping koi (often called "living jewels") in top-quality condition takes dedication and year-round care, but it is a challenge that thousands of koi enthusiasts are happy to accept in pursuit of perfection. They are a fiercely devoted group willing to spend hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars to nurture, show and build their collection. Written by a team of international experts, A Complete Guide to their Care and Color Varieties contains information and advice that incorporates the latest developments in koi research. Topics This book fulfils the need for a reasonably priced and up to date, expert guide on keeping koi. It is essential selection for all enthusiasts, from excited beginners to koi kichi ("koi crazy").
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 27, 2024
Very elucidating on the topic of koi fish raising from koi care, lifecycle and even disease care. I didn’t expect such an expansive view on this subject matter, and expected mostly rumination on pond preparation and care. I’m tempted to say treatment of this topic was sparse and perhaps lacking, but it in fact feels concise and to the point, deeper explaining of the “why” to the user. Due to this, users might find this book prescriptive and even a bit too strict. I’d offer that the strict tolerances that the book preaches are more situated for raising competitive koi as opposed to those of us for whom a Petsmart Koi will more than suffice.
Don’t expect hand holding on topics that were covered in a high school chemistry class. The nitrate cycle was explained in a single page and paragraph, all packed with details that could themselves reserve a chapter in it’s own book. I’ll need to do followup learning on how to properly measure for chemical imbalances and proper plants and devices to attack this problem area. The book simply offers a few solutions, but moves on to the many other areas involved in pond maintenance like oxygenation, koi numbers, measurement devices, temperature, ph levels, etc.
The section on all the koi varients was perhaps the most well done part of the book and provides a great jumping off point for koi that a person might practically acquire in their pond. It’s easily the best chapter of the book and perhaps placed in proper order for this book. It’s clear that the authors prioritize owners resourcing the bulk of their expenses on preparing the environment for which the koi will live and hopefully thrive. By the time i reached this section, i was much more willing to settle on less variant versions of koi as a practical hedge to investing in koi that, while not harder to raise, would be a much harder hit to the pocket.
Great book overall. Love that this sets a gold standard and saved me hours of watching koi videos and reading blogs. Certainly much more reading will be needed to properly complete a koi project end to end, but this guide was a great intro.
Don’t expect hand holding on topics that were covered in a high school chemistry class. The nitrate cycle was explained in a single page and paragraph, all packed with details that could themselves reserve a chapter in it’s own book. I’ll need to do followup learning on how to properly measure for chemical imbalances and proper plants and devices to attack this problem area. The book simply offers a few solutions, but moves on to the many other areas involved in pond maintenance like oxygenation, koi numbers, measurement devices, temperature, ph levels, etc.
The section on all the koi varients was perhaps the most well done part of the book and provides a great jumping off point for koi that a person might practically acquire in their pond. It’s easily the best chapter of the book and perhaps placed in proper order for this book. It’s clear that the authors prioritize owners resourcing the bulk of their expenses on preparing the environment for which the koi will live and hopefully thrive. By the time i reached this section, i was much more willing to settle on less variant versions of koi as a practical hedge to investing in koi that, while not harder to raise, would be a much harder hit to the pocket.
Great book overall. Love that this sets a gold standard and saved me hours of watching koi videos and reading blogs. Certainly much more reading will be needed to properly complete a koi project end to end, but this guide was a great intro.
March 11, 2021
I really love this reference book! I have a feeling I'll be using it when I finally start my pond. My favorite part is the detail of the various varieties and explaining why it makes them "ideal" to collectors and shows. There's so many great drawn pictures and real photos of the specific colors, patterns and scales - what cute and beautiful koi! My husband and I had fun looking on koi seller websites and trying to identify them without looking at their name.
Then there was the details of the koi shows themselves (I'd love to see one!), common ailments and treatments for them, water testing - the latter two are useful for fishkeeping in general, of course.
My only small gripes are some varieties are missing (there's SO many, so that's nbd) and the explanation of constructing a pond. Overall it was informative, but some of the pond construction was so advanced or specific, I feel it would put off some new hobbyists. There's also the issue of there being so many filters on the market, I can forgive this book for only listing a few. Ultimately, I got pond construction guides elsewhere, but this was fantastic for everything else.
Then there was the details of the koi shows themselves (I'd love to see one!), common ailments and treatments for them, water testing - the latter two are useful for fishkeeping in general, of course.
My only small gripes are some varieties are missing (there's SO many, so that's nbd) and the explanation of constructing a pond. Overall it was informative, but some of the pond construction was so advanced or specific, I feel it would put off some new hobbyists. There's also the issue of there being so many filters on the market, I can forgive this book for only listing a few. Ultimately, I got pond construction guides elsewhere, but this was fantastic for everything else.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews