Quality

We provide the highest quality Koi and Butterfly Koi at competitive wholesale prices.

Our suppliers work year-round to produce the highest quality Koi and Butterfly Koi possible.

This process begins with the pairing and spawning of male and female broodstock. Expert breeders carefully consider breeding mates to hone the breeding process and produce the best possible Koi and Butterfly Koi. Just 3 to 4 days after spawning, the eggs have already hatched and a new crop of fish are born.

In only a few short weeks after hatching, the young fry around one inch in length are culled for the first time. Many hours are spent meticulously removing and keeping only the Koi that show signs of potential. At this young age, there is still a lot of development left to take place, and many varieties appear nothing like they will at maturity. It takes a well-trained eye to spot the Koi with potential, and our breeders have refined their techniques over many decades.

After several weeks of additional growth, the fish are again brought in for further sorting. By now, most are 3 to 6 inches in length, and their colors and patterns have really begun to show. Some Koi and Butterfly Koi are removed and become the Standard, Premium, and Premium Select Grade Koi and Butterfly Koi available for sale. The highest quality fish are selected for further growth and released back into the growing facilities.

The next sort comes after the fish have grown into the 6 to 10-inch range. At this age and size, the true potential of each fish has really begun to show. The majority of fish will soon be available for sale, while a select few of the very highest quality will continue to grow to the 10 to 20-inch size range. A very select few may even be saved for potential use as brood stock.

We judge our Koi and Butterfly Koi on three specific criteria: color, pattern, and body & fin conformation. This refined and meticulous selection process ensures that only the highest quality Koi and Butterfly Koi are offered for sale.

 Color

A wide range of colors and hues will be present in each spawning, from the brown Chagoi variety that resemble wild carp, to the brightest and most vibrant reds, whites, blacks and other colors. Any Koi that show little or no potential for good color are culled, and only the best are kept.

Pattern

Each variety possesses its own guidelines for what makes a high quality pattern, and we follow these guidelines closely. Is the pattern balanced evenly on the left and right sides of the body? Do the contrasting colors complement each other and create a sense of symmetry and balance? Does the hi or sumi extend too far down the head, onto the nose? We ask these and many other questions in the process of bringing our best Koi to market.

Body & Fin Conformation

Color and pattern do not matter if the fish does not have good body and fin conformation. Is the body shaped correctly, or is it too skinny or fat? Are the gill plates flared? Are all of the fins full and developed, with no deformities? Any Koi with major faults or deformities are culled, while Koi with minor faults will become our Standard Grade Koi. Higher quality Koi with no body and fin faults will become our Premium and Premium Select Grade Koi.