The history of koi, or Nishikigoi, as they are formally referred to in Japan isn't written in stone. Actually, it wasn't written anywhere! When the rice farmers of Niigata Prefecture first began breeding these fish, all the information about them was passed down from father to son.

The farmers in Niigata started raising magoi (carp) to supplement their winter diet. They raised these carp in the ponds they used to flood their rice paddies. About 200 years ago one of the farmers noticed a carp with some red color. Some of the farmers started separating the fish that had different coloration, and breeding them together. Anyone with knowledge of animal husbandry knows how that goes. (One thing leads to another).

The interest in this pastime grew and more color variations were developed. It wasn't until 1914 that some of the most beautiful varieties were shown at an exposition in Tokyo. Some of these colored carp were presented to Crown Prince Hirohito. This is where it really got started. During my extensive research of koi, I've read that Nishikigoi first became popular in the United States when introduced to California during the mid 1960s. Here is a quote from the book "Koi and Garden Pools" written by Dr. Herbert R. Axlerod;

"When I operated a fish farm in Florida, I brought in many thousands of Koi from Japan and started breeding koi for the first time in any warm climate. Eventually those koi were the seed stock for koi bred in England and many other parts of the western world, and they were introduced slowly to aquarium shops throughout Europe and the Western Hemisphere."

According to my calculations this was in the early 1950s.

Regardless of how they got started and spread I'm just very glad they made it to Tennessee. In the five years I've been involved with koi it has been the most fascinating, enjoyable, and sometimes the most heartbreaking experience of my life.

Thanks for stopping by!

Last modified on Tuesday February 15, 2000