With anything in life, different people feel fulfilled by differing paths and can afford different stuff. There are those who just want to wait patiently to see a flash of color glide amid the lilly pads, people who will not rest until they own a grand champion banner, and everything in between. There are do it yourselfers that need to breed and show their own stock and take pride in their hard-earned successes, and owners who are happiest buying the best after it has been crowned. Beyond the koi world, we all know someone who has to have a Rolex although there are less expensive watches that will tell time well enough for most of us, or have to vacation at the current trend spot when the Bed and Breakfast in their town will treat them like royalty. All those differences make for an interesting world and a lively economy, but the important question is: What about this hobby gives you pleasure? I have visited a lot of ponds in the past five months. A common comment at the pondside of show fish people is something like: 'This is my favorite fish. He is bait, but my favorite.' All of these people seem to have a few fish of varying qualities and prices to sell annually. Think of all of your friends on this board that may sell fish and e-mail them. Also, watch the club newsletters for auctions. Like everything else, there is a more expensive and a less expensive way to go. I choose a few koi. I can see them from the house, they don't overpopulate the pond, and they make me happy. Take heart in the knowledge that at one time a single tulip bulb cost more than a house. Maybe the Picassos of the koi world will also become less expensive. I never recommend that beginning hobbyists start out with expensive investments in koi. Much better to learn from mistakes with inexpensive fish prior to investing in expensive specimens. Enjoy your pond, Brett

Culling and Grading Koi

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Last modified on Tuesday February 15, 2000