Koi San’s Korner

Hi everyone.   I’d like to welcome you to my new blog.  My name is Craig Mariani, (AKA Koi-san.)  I am the sole proprietor of a koi retail business in Western Massachusetts by the name of Butterfly Koi.  My plan is to use this format to write various articles on koi keeping.  These articles are MY take on subjects related to koi and should be recognized as one humble man’s opinion.  Article topics will range from koi appreciation and pond construction, to my passion, koi health.

This is my first posting, and as such, I am going to divulge a bit about myself to all of you.  I am also dedicating this article to all my friends in the hobby who have helped me advanced my skills and enhanced my love of koi over the years.

I have been keeping fish, as a hobby, for just about 50 years. It started with a single goldfish when I was a very young boy  and has somehow advanced to a middle-aged man with 600 Koi. Go figure. I have kept turtles, small alligators (when it was legal) and community tropical tanks. I have raised Beta’s, had saltwater tanks and now, outdoor ponds with Koi.  I started with a 10 gallon tank and presently have 11,000 gallons to take care of.   Construction is just starting on a 60,000 gallon pond in my backyard which looks like it should be an Olympic swimming pool. My love for the hobby is obvious; my sanity must be the thing in question.

I’m sure it was my Mom who got me started and allowed me to explore the hobby at a young age, but it’s my wife who I truly have to thank for her support and tolerance of my constant pond building. The support she’s given me toward my dream of a Koi business will always be greatly appreciated.

I got the idea to build my first pond about 12 years ago from my cousin Gala-Ann and her husband Rick.  They had just put in a beautiful small pond in the front of their house and after seeing it, I was hooked.   Soon after, I had installed my 200 gallon, pre-formed plastic pond.  I stocked it with a single 5” Platinum Koi and three Comets.  I probably paid $15 for all four fish.  We quickly named the Koi Hoodie and from then on, we referred to them collectively as “Hoodie and the Goldfish”. (Sorry, but it’s true.)  The pond has grown from 200 gallons to 5,000 gallons over the 12 years and Hoodie is still with us today.  He is in no way a show-quality koi, but he remains the most prized koi I have in my collection; more like an old friend.  I’ve made a few mistakes over the years that could have cost him dearly, but he’s always managed to pull through.  I was able to improve my koi keeping skills, and his life is much easier these days.  If you ever pay us a visit, don’t forget to ask about him.

I’d like to talk for a minute on the Pioneer Valley Water Garden and Koi Club.  This is a club comprised of great folks who have a diverse interest in all aspects of the hobby.  The membership ranges from Master Gardeners with an interest in aquatic plants and water gardens, to advanced koi keepers who have expensive koi collections and tend large koi ponds.  They also represent everything in between.  I have come to know many of these folks through my many years of involvement in the club, and now call them my good friends. We meet once a month, usually at a members home on a Sunday afternoon and discuss a specific topic of interest.  Everyone brings some food and we have a bite to eat after a guest speaker’s presentation.  Every year volunteers from the club also put on the Annual New England Water Garden and Koi Show and a very nice pond tour.  We have an annual banquet and there are many other events that people can take part in.

If anyone’s interested in learning more please visit their site at: http://www.pioneervalleypondclub.com/

Dues are cheap and the camaraderie is great. I’d urge everyone to join.

There are so many other people I’d like to mention and thank.  First, Mel Eaton, who owns Eaton Construction, for all the hours of help designing and building my indoor facility.  He loves the hobby and has turned into a great friend.  Mel is indispensable as a leader and doer in the club.

Roc Goudreau of Ware Ma. is a professional graphic artist of the highest order and he was nice enough to find the time to design the Butterfly Koi Company logo.  Roc was our Club President for years and still puts enormous effort into many club activities.

Last, but not least, I’d like to thank my colleague, Al Settembro, for coaxing me and prodding me to secure the Domain name for my business Butterflykoi.com.  I can remember him telling me such things would disappear quickly if I didn’t act soon. That was 12+ years ago.  This is one time it paid to listen.

Koi Unlimited in Md. was a koi dealership that I did business with in the mid-late 90’s. Chip Crumb was the gentleman who helped me the most. They’re now out of business but I still have some of the fish he recommended to me. Chip, if your reading this, please get in touch.

That’s about it for now.  I’ve rambled enough for the time being. Subsequent postings will be on topics related to Koi.  This posting is just to let you all know a bit about myself and how Butterfly Koi came about.

Keep visiting, I plan to update regularly.

Regards

Koi-san