“Having kois gives me the relaxation that I need,” young businessman Brian Dee tells DAILY TRIBUNE. “I can stare at them for hours just to calm my mind, my nerves, especially after a long day at work. Also, koi fishes are very elegant pets. You appreciate them for their beauty and grace. Watching them puts me in a trance whenever I have deep thoughts.”

So taken by kois is Brian that it has become a regular in his life. “Being a koi collector for years, I have also made me a lot of good friends that share the same level of appreciation and passion.”

As Brian speaks, I recall a time I went to Ojiya City in Japan. I remember that in the small city of Ojiya, the birthplace and global mecca for the iconic Nishikigoi, the practice of breeding these living works of art dates back to the Meiji Era (1868-1912). Koi breeding started as a hobby during the long, harsh winter months that locked people into their small communities. With up to 80 to 90 percent of these prized fish bound for overseas collectors, this city is a hotspot for koi buyers with many of the farms offering special tours for guests.

Koi fish are beloved because they serve as “living jewels,” combining breathtaking colors with a rich history of symbolism. They are highly prized for their striking beauty, impressive lifespans (often living for decades), and their representation of perseverance, good fortune and worldly ambition.

My thoughts return to Brian, and I begin to understand his passion for koi. “This hobby actually gets quite addicting, as there are always new and interesting kois coming out in the market, and you would need great self-control,” he quips. “So one does not overstock the pond.”

A warm life

“They say fish lovers can be cold-blooded,” I comment.

“For some people, these are just fish,” he replies. “But kois are different, as you can hand-feed them. My kids are actually able to touch the kois and pet the more friendly varieties in the pond. They can actually recognize their owner and those who feed them.”

He added that he does not breed koi but rather purchases them so he can join in the competitions.

“The kois that I have are all imported from Japan,” Brain shares. “These kois come from reputable breeders who meticulously select the best ones from each breeding cycle.”

There are thousands of kois in a breeding season, but only the good ones make the cut and are exported.

The joy of koi

“What is it about your kois that brings you happiness?” I ask.

“Technically, I won’t say taking care of kois brings happiness,” Brian laughs. “Personally, It gives me a different feeling. It is very challenging and entails a lot of responsibility. It isn’t an easy hobby. I’m very particular with the water parameters, the food we give and many other aspects to be able to take good care of quality koi fish. It is about being able to give my pets the best pond conditions for them to grow and thrive.”

Much like the young businessman that he is, there is much joy that comes with having done a good job at the end of the day.

“I guess the happiness comes when people appreciate the kois in my pond.”

Is a fish-lover an animal lover? Are they the same?

“I have always been an animal lover. I’ve had different kinds of pets, but funny I have never owned a dog,” Brian says. “So, I guess I am an animal lover — but I am most attracted to fish.”

Koi or kids?

Brain looks fondly at his koi much in the same way a dad looks at his kids. He said caring for his koi requires a lot of effort and perhaps love, too.

“I always want to make sure that my kids do the best in all they get into. I want the same for my koi — that they are cared for in the best way so they win the competitions I enter them into.”

Kois are not low maintenance type of pets. They get sick, require good living conditions, and you need to regularly check on them and feed them multiple times throughout the day. It is costly taking care of them. But, at then of the day just watching them swim is reward enough for Brian.