#February
#Introduction - Back from Japan
March is nearly here, so it’s time for a catch-up on what’s been happening in February! I am still processing my trip to Japan at the end of January, although processing all the pictures may take many months! The All Japan Koi Show 2025 was a roaring success, with many stunning koi on display. The Grand Champion was this beautiful Dainichi Showa, which also won Grand Champion at the Nogyosai Koi Show in 2023. I printed the photo from the 2023 Nogyosai in Volume Six last December - it seemed only right to compare them side by side in real life!
The trip was incredibly last minute this year due to personal reasons, so I booked my flights the week of my departure. Nothing like cutting it fine! A condition of going was that I told myself I would take things easy. My health has not been great for a while, and I tend to overdo things when it comes to work, so I intended to enjoy my time at the show, soaking in the social aspects and some networking.
However, I’m a sucker for punishment and went totally against my word. I arrived on Thursday morning, and my camera practically didn’t stop firing until about 1 pm on Sunday - just as the awards ceremony wrapped up and we darted for a train! It was pretty full on, and I paid for it the following week, but I have so many awesome pictures of koi, and can’t wait to share them with you.
My hardcore koi shooting meant I spent most of my time in the zone surviving on snacks and coffee. I’d like to thank Rob Whittell and Steve Rollins for putting up with me and being such great company throughout the show and our days exploring. I also got to catch up with some great koi pals over breakfast and the odd afternoon coffee, including Bernie Woollands, Mark Kleijkers and Johan Leurs, plus many others at the show - it’s a great place to socialise when you’re not intent on shooting every koi in attendance!
I managed to make time before leaving the show to deliver copies of the magazine to breeders featured in recent volumes. For me, this is vital. I’m still new to visiting Japan and building relationships over there. Breeders give me access to harvests and interviews, their prized koi and generally put up with my camera firing in their direction. Showing them the quality of the final product and demonstrating I have their best interests at heart, hopefully, goes a way to building relationships. The feedback was incredibly positive, and if I heard “Sugoi Magazine” once, I heard it many times!
Here's the big boss of Ippinya Koi Farm, Yoshiyuki Takahashi, who was featured in Volume Six. I asked if he would mind a photo, and he proceeded to clamber rather rigorously between the show vats (no easy task) so he could stand proudly behind one of his winning vats. Love it. Plenty more of these shots to follow!
The rest of the trip was spent exploring Hiroshima with Mike Snaden (Yume Koi Japan), for which I am very grateful. Rob and I left Mike and moved on to Nagoya and Yamanashi. I got some great interviews and content I think hobbyists will value and enjoy in future volumes of the magazine. I'm extremely grateful to all the breeders who made this possible. Plus, there are many other stories and videos I’ll share via this page and YouTube.
Since returning, I’ve been focussing on magazine production. I’ve also been helping a few hobbyist pals with new pond projects. Some are building whole ponds, others are redesigning filtration. It highlighted to me (once again) the importance of getting second opinions.
Often, when we plan things, we’re too close to spot what seem glaringly obvious mistakes to others. Everyone wants to feel like they triumphed alone against all odds. However, we often arrive at something even better by letting go of our ego and allowing others to review our intentions. Plus, we’ll avoid making those silly mistakes we’ll kick ourselves for! Find someone with a brain cell and get them to help, and when they need a hand, return in kind.
On that note, there’s still time to put into practice what we mentioned in last month's edition. Evaluate your pond, collection, knowledge and hopes for 2025, and get the ball rolling before the season really gets going. It’ll be here and gone before we know it!
#West Midlands Koi
West Midlands Koi once had a posh-looking showroom in Warwickshire to display their koi stocks and showcase a range of EZ Tanks, for which they are the sole UK stockists. They also used the showroom to display various forms of filtration to demonstrate their application to hobbyists.
Last year, they moved to a new location in Earlswood, Solihull - luckily, their chosen name still fits! Lee Essex (the owner) has had his fair share of setbacks over the past year or so, but he has persevered through it all and is now making serious headway on what will be an even “posher-looking” showroom.
Recently, I’ve been along to see the progress and have the obligatory tea and biscuit session. The building is an impressive size, and although it’s currently hard to imagine the finishing touches in place, knowing Lee, it will look “just right.” EZ tanks are still a main feature, with an impressive pond dominating the centre of the room, but this time, every sales pond is fitted with a selection of Red Label Drum Filters and Showers - Lee is the sole UK Distributor.
“I’m trying to build upon everything I learned at the old premises,” says Lee. Everything is designed to allow easy access so hobbyists can get up close and personal with the different tanks and filtration models. “I want to help hobbyists make the right choice, and when you see equipment in operation, it’s easy to see what will work for you and your pond. It’s also a great way to see the build quality.”
The new premises will house the sales ponds and a shop display for the other dry goods West Midlands Koi stocks but don’t expect to see every product under the sun. Lee only likes to sell products he believes in, and while everyone may have different opinions on what works, you can’t hold it against him for sticking to his guns.
There are a few teaser images of the new building not long after it was erected and some sneaky close-ups of the pipework being arranged - I can’t wait to see it when it’s all completed! In the meantime, if you’re looking into drum filtration and want to assess different models on the market, Lee is the man to speak to about all things Red Label.
#Beautiful Koi
A word from Managing Director Justin…
We’ve been working hard this winter to bring you more premium koi, better service, and expert guidance to help you succeed in this incredible hobby! We’ve added 50% more quarantine space, meaning we can import more high-quality koi while carefully monitoring their condition and safeguarding your pond. We’ve also enhanced automation throughout our facility with state-of-the-art systems to optimise fish health and water quality. We can’t wait to show visitors (new and old) what we’ve been up to.
In 2025, we’ve introduced a new koi delivery service, meaning we can deliver koi directly to your door. The service covers the mainland UK, it’s safe, stress-free, and convenient. We have dedicated delivery days, so koi arrive on Wednesdays & Thursdays, ensuring they travel in peak condition.
Our website has a few new additions, including our extensive Koi Care page. It features articles created with years of hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Our in-depth guides offer trusted advice for both new and seasoned koi keepers. We’ve spent countless hours ensuring every article is packed with valuable insights, practical tips, and industry expertise - all to help you keep your koi happy and thriving.
Your dream koi is just a click away!
Visit Beautiful Koi today & explore our stunning selection - https://beautifulkoi.co.uk/product-category/koi-for-sale/
#Koi-R-Us Pond Services
Terry has taken delivery of new koi for the season ahead. More shipments are due over the next few months, but the first batches are in and undergoing their strict Quarantine Protocol, including heat ramping.
If you’re based in and around the Hythe area or within a sensible driving distance and need koi health services or a pond check-up, Terry could be your man. Jan and Feb have seen Terry out on the road helping hobbyists with their pond problems. Water tests, mucus scrapes, filter repairs and maintenance are some of the services he provides. Sometimes, it’s best to call a professional when we lack confidence in our skills. Terry also takes on the occasional pond build.
If you’d like more information, visit or call
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063556844187
07871 521906
#Koi for Sale
Click to englarge, see details and obtain a link to the dealers website...
#Supreme Koi - Anniversary
March marks Supreme Koi’s 10th anniversary trading, and to celebrate, Mark has a few exciting plans up his sleeve. The first is a buying trip to Japan towards the end of March, where he’ll be hunting for new koi stocks to add to the hundreds of koi that have just undergone quarantine from the autumn harvest.
Mark intends to post regular updates on social media and his WhatsApp group with new purchases and special offers, so keep those eyes peeled.
Supreme Koi also plans to run a “Grow and Show” this April with nisai Shiro Utsuri from Koshiji. Please contact Mark if you’d like more details or join his WhatsApp group.
#Perfect Aquatics
I made a visit to Perfect Aquatics to catch up with Jack, and see what they had to offer. Wait for the details about the 2025 Grow and Show at the end of the video…
#Azukari Koi - Secret Agents
Chris Edwards is busy braving the severe snow in Japan to find dealers koi for the season ahead. Some join him on buying trips, while others prefer to purchase from the comfort of their business premises. It might seem crazy to hobbyists that koi buying should kick off so early, but to ship and quarantine koi in time for early spring sales, dealers need to mobilise, and koi importers like Azukari Koi will make it possible. If you’re a dealer in need, give Chris and The Team a shout. https://www.azukarikoi.com/
In 2022, I joined Chris for a week in Japan as he guided Queni Koi around the mountains in search of stock. Subsequently, we wrote an article in Volume Two (Dec 2022) entitled “Secret Agents,” which aimed to give hobbyists information on the role of koi importers in Japan and how buying koi works for dealers. It’s a nuanced topic, and in an age where Japan is becoming more and more exposed to the public eye, and with more new koi dealers opening doors, it’s an interesting read.
The end of the article features a quick-fire Q&A with Chris to give an insight into his mentality and approach. I've attached it below to give you a taster. You can read the full article in Volume Two, back issues available here:
How long have you been involved with koi professionally? Since 1999. I studied Fisheries Studies and Aquatics as a mature student and ended up with the top student honours. Ultimately, this led to meeting some of the principal figures in the koi trade and being offered an opportunity that was too good to turn down. My first visit to Japan was in 1999. It was to be a “once in a lifetime trip” to learn how the koi business works. However, I instantly realised where I wanted to be in the koi trade, so I set about achieving it. The trip to Japan wasn't going to be a one-time deal!
How long have you been an agent? Firstly, I don’t like the word “agent.” Football and music agents are notorious for being untrustworthy, so the term “agent” has negative connotations. But for the sake of the article, I’ll go with it.
I have been an agent since 2007, coming to Japan 3 times a year as an employee for a major exporter. I set up my own business in 2011 to pursue a vision I had for the industry in the UK. I spend almost half the year in Japan now, living with the local koi community.
From your perspective, what is an agent's role? At its core, an agent’s role is to source koi for the koi dealers. A good agent needs to offer so much more than this because they’ll be out of business quickly if they don't. I’ve seen this many times over the years.
Why do most koi dealers use an agent? Now that’s a question for a koi dealer! Essentially, I’m there to save them time and (ultimately) money. Without an agent, a dealer must get on a plane, find their way to Niigata, find their way around the koi farms, find the fish, buy the fish, ship them and apply for an import permit from CEFAS. For most, this is cost and time prohibitive.
What would you say constitutes a good agent? There are many contributing factors, far too many to cover in this article. For me, invisibility is vital. It’s my role to connect the breeders and dealers - to build a relationship. From the outside, this relationship should look like it involves those two parties only. I must stand back. When it comes to being a good agent, there’s no room for limelight-hogging - stay out of the photographs, stay out of the blogs and stay out of the videos. The dealer should be the face of the koi they sell.
But you’re being featured in a magazine Chris! Yes, true! But appearing in a public magazine doesn’t come naturally or sit comfortably with me. However, I enjoyed the first edition, so I thought I’d break the norm and contribute a little.
Is an agent's reputation amongst the breeders important? Do they need to trust you? There are levels to this question. Firstly, it’s not important (surprisingly) to have a good reputation as an agent to buy fish in Japan. But I constantly hear complaints from breeders about how agents conduct themselves because they don’t understand the correct protocol or behaviour, but business is business, and they still get supplied. But only on a basic level.
This is where reputation and trust count. Any agent can buy koi but if you want access to koi and opportunities that others can’t, then having a good reputation is vital. Taking your career as an agent to a higher level takes a lot of dedication. The breeder needs to see that you have his best interests at heart and that of your customers. Should the breeder see this - many doors will open. It is an industry like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
Would it be fair to say that agents must build relationships with breeders to introduce their dealers to reliable sources? Yes. One of the most crucial attributes of an agent is that they know the best stocks for their dealers. To do this, you must build relationships by being in Japan constantly, speaking Japanese, eating with the breeders, drinking with the breeders, checking their fish constantly, stock levels, health checks, checking their test certificates etc.
Has the process of buying koi changed much since the global pandemic? Yes, it has changed. But I believe it’s only temporary, and within no time, standard koi-buying practices will resume. We saw this towards the end of the 2022 harvest season.
Have things become more challenging or competitive? It is significantly more challenging now in terms of shipping koi. There are far fewer flights in and out of Japan, resulting in limited cargo space and premium prices. The koi business can’t handle shipping rates above a certain threshold, so we’re constantly fighting with the airlines. But now Japan has opened its borders - we should start to see a drop in shipping rates. It won’t be for a while, but it has to come down.
What is it you strive for in your work? To be an invisible yet essential link in the supply chain between the koi dealer and koi breeder. I want to offer value for money for the dealer and be a crucial and trusted supply avenue for the breeder. I always strive to be the first choice regarding shipping koi from Japan. The more fish I can ship for the breeder, the more I can help the dealers achieve their goals, and the more important I become to all parties involved.
What do you find most challenging? It’s hard to say as there are so many different aspects to what I do depending on where we are in the koi year. When I have dealers in Japan with me, one of the hardest things is to try and help the dealer step inside the mind of the breeder. Breeders are artists and (as such) often temperamental. Just going into a breeder’s facility with a large budget and buying a lot of koi isn’t enough, and that can be very hard to understand sometimes. Conversely, getting the breeder to understand the dealer can be very challenging.
Another is marketing my business. I get next to no word-of-mouth recommendations. Firstly, most dealers like to keep their supply chain private from their competitors, and justifiably so. Secondly, the perception is that the more dealers I’ve got working with me, the less chance they have of securing that one special box of koi - or getting their preferred week in Japan. So, by positioning myself as the invisible link and with minimum recommendations, attracting new dealers can be challenging.
What do you find most rewarding? I love the koi business, I love the people who make it tick, and I love the supply circle. I’m not overly interested in koi shows or accolades because I get a bigger buzz from a happy koi dealer with happy customers. Yes, it’s always pleasant to see koi that I’ve chosen go on to take honours at koi shows, but not as rewarding as the dealer appreciating me for sourcing it in the first place - and asking me to do it again!
#YouTube Learning
Evolution Aqua. “Pond season is just around the corner, and now’s the perfect time to get your Evolution Aqua pond products ready for peak performance. Regular maintenance is key to keeping everything running smoothly - so why not start with your EA Air Pump? Not sure where to begin? Check out this step-by-step guide to cleaning your EA Air Pump’s filter!
Why is an efficient air pump essential for your pond? Boosts oxygen levels - vital for fish health and biological filtration. Reduces algae growth - well-oxygenated water helps maintain water clarity. Prevents stagnant zones - ensures circulation throughout the pond. Supports beneficial bacteria - enhances breakdown of waste and toxins.
A little maintenance now means a healthier, cleaner pond all season long!”
Evolution Aqua has many helpful videos on their channel for their products, so check them out if you’re an EA owner.
All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. For those keen to see what goes on behind the scenes during the judging process at the All Japan Koi Show, this video bears all. It's a long watch, but Brit Steve Gibbins does a great job of narrating the goings-on. Top Job Steve!
I believe this is the second year this has been done, and the team pulled out even more stops this year to give more coverage and some unique angles the public wouldn't see otherwise. I'm sure the format will be developed year after year, so if you enjoy it, please give the video a thumbs up, as it will help the organisation grow the content further.
That's it! I hope you've enjoyed this month's catch-up. Keep positive, as spring is just around the corner, and if you have any stories to share, please get in touch!
Best Wishes & Happy Koi Keeping,
Liam
