The Journal

Notes from the pond

Articles on koi varieties, pond design, seasonal care, and answers to the questions we hear most often from collectors and new pond owners.

12 articles
Japanese koi at the surface of a pond surrounded by uneaten food pellets
Care Questions · 2 min read

Why Are My Koi Not Eating: 5 Common Reasons

Wondering why your koi are not eating? If they suddenly lose interest in food, the pond is telling you something. Here are the five most common reasons — and the fix for each.

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Hand feeding koi pellets to colorful Japanese koi in a clean pond
Care Questions · 2 min read

How Often Should I Feed My Koi? A Simple Guide

Forget the 'feed twice a day' rule — koi feeding is all about water temperature. Here's the simple chart every Ontario pond owner should keep on the fridge.

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A premium Japanese Kohaku koi photographed against a dramatic dark background
Care Questions · 2 min read

Are Koi Really Worth What They Cost? An Honest Answer

A serious Japanese koi can cost more than a car. We get asked why — a lot. Here's an honest look at what you're actually paying for.

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A young Kohaku tosai koi with developing red and white pattern in a blue selection bowl
Care Questions · 2 min read

Reading a Young Kohaku: What Breeders Look For

A 6-inch Kohaku doesn't look like much. So how do Japanese breeders pick the future champions? Here's how to train your eye.

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A school of vibrant Japanese koi swimming together in a Japanese garden pond
Fun Facts · 2 min read

5 Surprising Fun Facts About Koi You Didn't Know

Koi can recognize their owners, taste with their lips, and started life as food fish. Five fast facts about the fish on every collector's shortlist.

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A mature Japanese koi swimming below a branch of cherry blossoms in a traditional pond
Fun Facts · 2 min read

Did You Know Koi Can Live Over 200 Years? Inside Koi Longevity

Hanako the koi reportedly lived to 226. While that's the extreme, well-kept koi routinely outlive their owners. Here's why — and how to extend yours.

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A beautifully designed backyard Japanese koi pond with stone, waterfall, and Japanese maples at dusk
Pond Design · 2 min read

Designing the Perfect Koi Pond: What Most Owners Get Wrong

Most backyard koi ponds are built like water gardens — and that's exactly why so many fail. Here's what changes when you design for koi from the start.

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A pristine show-grade koi pond with clear water, natural stone, and elegant landscaping
Pond Design · 2 min read

The Anatomy of a Show-Grade Koi Pond

A show-grade pond doesn't just look beautiful — every cubic foot is engineered. Here's what's actually under the water in a serious koi installation.

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A high-grade Showa Sanshoku koi with bold black, red, and white markings in a koi tub
Varieties · 2 min read

Showa Sanshoku: The Drama of Three Colors

Bold black sumi, deep red hi, and pure white shiroji — the Showa is the most dramatic koi in the pond. Here's what makes a great one.

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A pure white Tancho koi with a single perfect red circle on its head, swimming in dark water
Varieties · 2 min read

Tancho Koi: The Living Symbol of Japan

Pure white body. A single perfect red circle on the head. The Tancho is the rarest, most symbolic, and most asked-about koi in our collection.

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A snow-covered Canadian koi pond with a de-icer and koi visible beneath the clear water
Seasonal Care · 2 min read

Overwintering Koi in Canada: A Survival Guide

Yes, koi can survive Ontario winters. Done right, they thrive. Here's exactly how we prep our ponds — and our clients' — for −20°C.

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A backyard koi pond protected by a black mesh cover with a great blue heron standing nearby
Pond Protection · 2 min read

Protect Your Koi: Defending Against Raccoons, Herons & Hawks

A single great blue heron can empty a small pond in one morning. Raccoons work the night shift. Here's how to keep your koi alive in suburban Ontario.

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