Japanese-Style Koi Boarding How do you bring out the true potential of your Koi: enhance color and pattern, increase growth, and provide an edge against strong show competition? Answers to this question are plugged in ads and shops around the world, but serious Japanese hobbyists have known for decades that there is no shortcut. That's why, as a rule, many keep their best koi in field ponds for six to nine months out of the year. Brett's Fish Farm is dedicating one of our large (1,000,000-gallon) field ponds to serious American hobbyists for Japanese-style boarding of Koi. We begin with our perfect clay soils—similar to those found in the Koi producing areas of Niigata and Hiroshima—and an important reason for locating our own Koi farm here. We then follow the traditional practices to prepare the earthen pond just as it is for Japanese champions: the pond is air-dried to sweeten the ground, limed to condition the clays and eliminate disease agents, then filled with clean, virgin well water. To maintain the best possible environment for your potential champions, we hand feed the highest quality aquaculture diet, closely monitor the boarding pond along with our others, and stand by to add water or aeration to maintain prime water quality at all times. As in Japan, we also protect your Koi from predators with nets and lines. To make certain each potential champion has plenty of nutrient-rich natural food and more room than all but a few can afford, we follow the practice insisted upon by the most demanding hobbyists of both Japan and America: we firmly limit the number of Koi we accept in the program. At this time, we will only accept females in order to prevent unwanted spawning and mongrel fry crowding the pond. If there is a strong enough demand for a place for male or mixed sex koi, we will consider making special provision for them in another pond. Boarding applications and fish will be accepted on the first Saturday of each month until all positions are filled. We regret we can enroll only 50 fish in the boarding pond and still guarantee the highest quality environment and experience. Further, we must require that only healthy fish be entered in the program. All Koi must pass a careful inspection before being admitted to the pond. Visits to view accepted fish will be encouraged on the first Saturday of each month. Accepted fish will be gently harvested by seine prior to the Texas show season in the fall. At this point they can be picked up from our holding facility or receive the guaranteed priviledge to re-enter the program if desired. Individuals whose fish fail to pass the health inspection or who apply after the pond is closed will be invited to sign a waiting list and receive top priority after re-enrolling hobbyists. Monthly boarding fees, which include daily hand feeding, free inspection, and diligent water quality maintenance, are $22 per fish or $35 per pair of fish. We regret that in order to avoid passing our stocking limit, we must limit each client to no more than two fish. For up-to-date information on availability, or to arrange a visit on the first Saturday of any month, e-mail Brett at brett3@ix.netcom.com or call (281) 393-3006. To help reach Brett's Fish Farm, be sure to download and print our full color map.
|