THE majestic koi fish is revered by people across the world, and for many koi owners and enthusiasts, they exist as living works of art in their homes. The skin of the koi fish can come in a range of colours, including mixtures of white, black, red, yellow, blue and cream. Metallic shades of gold and platinum in their scales have also been developed through selective breeding.
These fish are descendants of the hardy carp fish which is so adaptable, it can be found all around the world. Koi fish were developed by farmers who noticed the bright colour patches on carp and bred them to get the beautiful fish we have today.
Koi fish were brought to the world’s attention after one was given to the Japanese emperor as a gift in 1914, to grace the Imperial Palace’s moat. Since then, they have become popular worldwide, and there are many koi enthusiasts who keep them as pets.
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Sydenham resident Rodney Singh says he had always heard about koi fish but had no idea how exquisitely beautiful the fish were until owning his own glint of koi. “The thing I find most fulfilling about owning koi is simply looking at them. They are stunning; the colours on their bodies are amazing. And looking after them and keeping them alive gives me a great sense of purpose,” said Singh.
The koi hobbyist owns 58 of the prized fish which he keeps in a large tank outside of his home. Purchasing them in glints of 10 fish, over the span of seven years, starting in 2015, he says the fish were between 6cm and 15cm when they were babies. They have now grown to between 30cm and 60cm long. “They grow to be massive. I’ve seen some koi fish that grow to be nearly a meter long, and the bigger they grow, the pricier they become,” said Singh.
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His advice to new koi owners is to go and start your glint. “I find it very fulfilling, and they are a wonderful addition to my life. The size of your tank will depend on how many fish you have. If you would like to start small, you can, but as you collect more fish, you have to make space to accommodate them. So I suggest investing in a large tank from the get-go. Also, make sure you have a net to cover the tank – as they grow, they will try to flop out! Otherwise, these are lovely and beautiful fish to have in your backyard.”
Caxton Local Media is giving away 30 tickets – each ticket admits two adults and two children – to this year’s Absolute Asphalt SA National Koi Show. The event, hosted by the South African Koi Keepers Society (SAKKS), takes place at the Shongweni Club on Saturday, July 30 (08:00 to 17:00) and Sunday, July 31 (09:00 to 15:00). The club is situated on the corner of Cliffdale Road and Kassier Road.
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