From Fry to Flight: A Koi Journey

The life of a koi fish begins in the quiet, rural hillsides of Japan—at breeder farms where a carefully selected pair of parent fish come together to create the next generation. From that moment, a long and labor-intensive process begins. Tiny, translucent fry grow into Tosai—year-old koi—ready for purchase by dealers around the world. This is a story about nishikigoi, From Fry to Flight: A Koi Journey.

Selecting Koi for the World Market

Dealers and their agents travel extensively throughout Japan, visiting koi breeders during the fall and early spring months to handpick koi suited for their stores or discerning clients. In some cases, breeders or trusted buying agents are given the authority to select koi on behalf of a local dealer. When that happens, entire quantities of Tosai may be boxed and shipped in bulk to regional retailers. These transactions are more than just business—they’re part of a global culture that reveres koi not only as ornamental fish, but as living art.

The Paperwork Behind the Beauty

What follows selection is a complex process—shipping koi is not as simple as placing them in a box. It begins with documentation. Breeders must fill out extensive export and import paperwork to comply with international regulations. The requirements vary by destination country, so breeders need a solid understanding of the legal frameworks surrounding the international shipment of live animals.

This behind-the-scenes bureaucracy ensures that koi arrive healthy and that all parties, including customs officials, import authorities, and quarantine agencies, are satisfied with the chain of custody.

Scheduling the Shipment

Once paperwork is in order, logistics planning begins. The koi may be picked up at a single breeder’s facility or, if multiple breeders are involved, from a centralized location. These consolidated shipments often indicate the presence of a koi broker—a middleman who coordinates large orders on behalf of clients.

Once paperwork is in order, logistics planning begins. The koi may be picked up at a single breeder’s facility or, if multiple breeders are involved, from a centralized location. These consolidated shipments often indicate the presence of a koi broker—a middleman who coordinates large orders on behalf of clients.

Some buyers, particularly larger operations, bypass the middleman and organize their own shipping logistics directly with breeders and airlines.

"Boxing Day" in the world of Nishikigoi has nothing to do with holidays in Canada or the UK. This is the day breeders begin the final preparation for transport. Koi are gently netted from indoor ponds and placed into plastic shipping bags—always doubled, to prevent disaster from a single puncture during international transit.

Breeders also take a moment to examine each fish. If fin spikes are present, clipping is performed with care to reduce the risk of tearing through the bags during shipment. Inside the bag, a specialized product is added to manage water chemistry: it generates oxygen gas, helps maintain dissolved oxygen levels, and absorbs harmful gases like carbon dioxide and ammonia. Approximately a week before shipping, feeding of koi stops. The reason to stop feeding the koi being shipped is due to nitrogen during shipping. Koi waste is rich in nitrogen, and it's not wanted in the

enclosed shipping bag during transport.

Weight and Wings

Airlines charge by weight—not by the number of koi—so each box must be weighed with precision. Too much weight and the shipment risks delay or rejection. Every gram counts, and breeders are meticulous in how boxes are prepared and documented.

A Jewel's Journey

The next time you admire the glimmer of koi in your backyard pond, think about the journey that brought them to you. From a farm in Niigata or elsewhere in Japan, to your home halfway across the world, each koi has traveled a long and winding road—accompanied by care, expertise, and tradition every step of the way.

They are more than just ornamental fish—they are Nishikigoi, the “living jewels” of Japan.

Thank you to OrnaFish Japan

and

Yamasan Koi Farm: