The best available introduction to the world of colorful and fascinating Japanese carp. Lavishly illustrated with over 150 full-color photographs and drawings, this volume touches all the bases of koi care and maintenance, not to mention detailed information on the garden pond.

In Japan, breeding koi--a colorful and beautiful member of the carp family--has occupied a position between hobby and art form for more than two centuries. This stunningly illustrated book, compiled by a team of koi experts, shows and tells aquarium enthusiasts virtually everything they need to know about this fascinating activity. Koi are hardy fish, relatively large in size, and the most practical way to keep them is in an outdoor pond. Combining text with illustrations, an important section of the book explains the requirements of a garden pond for koi, showing the filtration system and pointing out how it functions. Most of the book concentrates on koi themselves, focusing on a brief history of koi, advice on buying koi, the fish's physiology, health care, feeding, breeding koi, showing koi, and joining koi clubs. An 80-page section tells all about koi variations, and features color photos of more than 100 varieties. Illustrated two-page spreads review each variety's history, and show both their more desirable and less desirable color markings. Here is a beautifully designed and illustrated volume that emphasizes the special satisfactions of keeping and breeding koi. Approximately 450 color photos and illustrations.

Water quality and filtration.

This is 15 years of Vet experience with all aspects of Koi health. Treatments and tips for a healthy environment, proper husbandry, symptoms of disease and remedies for parasites and sores, Dr. Johnson covers it all. In plain terms for the hobbyist, he provides the details you NEED to save fish. Symptoms, simple tests, logic and simplicity to educate you on preventing and treating fish diseases. This book is as timely / timeless as the appearance of fish disease, and the need for education in the testing and treatment of these conditions in fish. Learn about prevention and treatment BEFORE you're in trouble. "Anyone that has bought one koi, should have this book before they buy number two!" - David H. "Thanks for writing such an informative, easy to read book. I appreciate your easy going sense of humor and style of writing!" - Patti B. "Excellent for beginners, without sacrificing plenty of depth where needed. A Koi keeper's bible!" - S.G. Ontario "Not a wasted word. Well done!" - Mike S.

The "mysterious" art of Koi keeping is a long established practice no longer confined to just the Japanese culture and lifestyle as it has been throughout the centuries. Koi, sometimes known as Nishikigoi, are the multi-hued varieties of carp first developed and bred in Japan. However, in recent years Koi keeping has expanded to all corners of the globe and become one of the most popular and sophisticated pastimes around. Unfortunately, authentic Koi keeping is a complex and precise science, a fact many people are not aware of. But, as author Peter Cole explains, just because the task is complex doesn't mean that it's too hard to master. Keeping information simple, Coyle covers all aspects, from buying, rearing and health care to vital details of pond construction, water supply, and seasonal aspects. Koi culture goes back over 1000 years with patience, precision and a love of carp, you, too, can join this intriguing and lengthy tradition.

Koi are unusually beautiful creatures. Perhaps because of their unusual beauty, koi have inspired a variety of legends. The recurrent theme in these legends is that koi, because of their endurance and perseverance, have become symbolic of overcoming adversity and fulfilling one's destiny. In one of the more celebrated versions of this legend, koi are rewarded for their endurance and perseverance by being transformed into dragon fish. In their book KOI, Margery and Sheldon Harnick have created their own version of this legend in photographs and verses. In their version, koi are rewarded for a reason other than endurance and perseverance. Though the years, the gods have noted how much pleasure men and women have derived simply from observing the prismatic beauty of the koi. For this gift to mankind, the gods decided to transform the most beautiful koi into majestic and powerful dragons. Margery Harnick's photographs not only show this transformation taking place but also capture the remarkable beauty of these creatures in ways that most people have never seen. (Additional photographs by Matt Harnick portray the gods and the dragons.) And since koi are Asian in origin, Sheldon Harnick has chosen to deliver the narrative in the form of haiku verses. The union of photographs and verses makes a charming and artistically satisfying combination.

History of the development and breeding of nishikigoi, unusually-coloured carp (or koi), and the spread of the activity throughout the world, with information on keeping koi.