Koi: A Handbook on Keeping Nishikigoi (Paperback)

by Servaas de Kock (Author), Ronnie Watt (Author)
Key Phrases: matsuba scalation, sumi pattern, koi collection, Tancho Showa, Kin Ki-Utsuri, Niigata Prefecture (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A comprehensive guidebook that koi enthusiasts will not want to miss. (Joanne Hatherly Chilliwack Times 20070316)

A comprehensive guide to keeping and showing these beautiful fish.... Enlightening.... Illustrated with brilliant photographs. (Adam Levine Nature's Garden 200706)

[This is] a comprehensive guidebook that koi enthusiasts will not want to miss. (The Now (Surrey, B.C.) 20070418)

This is a guide any aspiring koi-keeper needs. (James A. Cox, California Bookwatch The Midwest Book Review 200708)

Comprehensive guidebook... koi enthusiasts will not want to miss. (Joanne Hatherly Victoria Times-Colonist 20070110)

An important book on koi-keeping... comprehensive. (Clear Englebert Kona [Island, Hawaii] Outdoor Circle Newsletter )

Comprehensive guidebook... koi enthusiasts will not want to miss. (Joanne Hatherly Edmonton Journal )

Product Description
Caring for and showing koi, affectionately called "living jewels" or "swimming flowers."

With full-color photographs, annotated illustrations and detailed, expert how-to advice, this guidebook is ideal for the koi hobbyist.

Koi begins with the history of koi-keeping, from the first known use of the word "koi" (about 500 BC) to the early 1900s, when collectors began breeding them for specific colors and metallics. The markings and patterns of koi are their most important feature, and the authors detail these in depth and define the Japanese terms used to describe them.

In addition to the section on the 15 varieties of koi, or nishikigoi, the authors address the care and exhibition of koi. Topics include: - The water environment - Feeding programs - Pond design and maintenance - Environmental health factors - Evaluating and grading koi - Behavioral symptoms - Pre-show and post-show preparations - Parasitic, bacterial and viral conditions - Judging criteria used at shows - The effects of temperature on feeding - Selecting and breeding koi - How to enhance colors

Koi is a complete and practical reference on these enjoyable, enchanting creatures.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (November 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554072158
• ISBN-13: 978-1554072156
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #270,574 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for getting up on the learning curve!, January 18, 2007

By	Michael J. Singleton (Spring Hill, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have a good-sized collection of books on Koi and Koi keeping. I've also paid four times the price of this book and gotten less than a third of the information it contains.

What I really like about the book is the authors' clear and concise approach to what can be a rather complex subject. They keep it simple and easy to understand, while letting you know that the hobby has deep roots in Japanese culture. The more you learn, the more you will want to know.

There is good, solid information on starting a collection, including what to look for when selecting individual Koi. The pictures are very good, the colors reproduced quite well. You will learn that you aren't just looking for "pretty fish," you are investing in the future.

I was looking for a good book to direct people to when they ask me what they should read. (I get asked about this a lot, as I've been in the hobby for more than 10 years.) This book not only gives a good overview of the hobby, but also provides a great deal of definitive information on just what it is that should be appreciated about Koi, what makes one a "garden pond" fish, and another a "show quality Koi."

All books have at least one failing. In this book, it was the in the translation. In the section on Water Quality, where dissolved oxygen was discussed, a word that should have been translated as "venturi," was mistranslated as "flowmeter." This mistake was repeated several times in that chapter. A picture of a venturi in operation made it obvious to me what was meant. Perhaps it can be corrected in a future edition of the book.

That aside, I think this book offers a great deal, even when compared to others that cost much more. A good start for those collecting Koi, or collecting books on Koi. You could certainly spend more on such a book, but you'd be hard pressed to get more for what you'll spend on this one.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Value for Money book on koi available ....., June 7, 2007

By	DeLisle B "fishkeeper library" (Barbados, West Indies) - See all my reviews

I have been keeping koi for a number of years but am just getting organised as a more enthusiastic koi keeper. This book filled a void in my library by providing honest, accurate advice from a dedicated koi breeder/keeper who is not reluctant to share his 'secrets'. A definite must read for any koi enthusiast, from beginner to seasoned breeder.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with color photos, this is a guide any aspiring koi-keeper needs., August 8, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

For centuries koi fish have been a popular hobby, especially in Japan and in the West more recently: now beginners can learn their special needs with KOI: A HANDBOOK ON KEEPING NISHIKIGOI. The authors are experienced koi-keepers and provide all the basics in an easy, logical progression of tips perfect for general interest lending libraries strong in pet references. Chapters cover the natural history of koi and koi varieties and move into building ponds, keeping koi, and even showing koi. Packed with color photos, this is a guide any aspiring koi-keeper needs.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch