At Falling Water Gardens we sell both domestic and Japanese koi. This being said, we commonly get asked the question, “What’s the difference between Japanese and domestic koi?” On the surface the answer is easy. Japanese koi are grown in, and imported from Japan. Domestic koi are bred and grown here in the States. Genetically, there really is no difference between the two. They share the same DNA. However, it is thought that domestic koi are better acclimated to the viral, bacterial and parasitic environment found in the U.S.

In the marketplace, Japanese koi typically fetch a higher price. Of course shipping costs factor in to this, but let’s look at one basic fact. The Japanese have been breeding koi for hundreds of years. It’s safe to assume that they know what they’re doing. That’s not to say there are no quality breeders in the U.S. There are domestic breeders who charge every bit as much money as the Japanese, but as a general rule you’ll pay less for our domestic friends.

We’ve established that the two are basically the same, so why do Falling Water Garden’s Japanese koi appear more brilliant than their domestic counterparts? One factor may be that koi farmers in Japan tend to be more demanding and cull more of the young koi than is typical here, so that the yield per pond is much lower there. Their experience is difficult to deny.

Ultimately it doesn’t matter where your fish come from. The point is to enjoy them. Their country of origin cannot take away the fact that koi are beautiful and majestic creatures who have an extremely calming effect on us humans! So why not visit us at Falling Water Gardens and pick up a few new friends?