After a few weeks of stress, my latest imports are swimming happily in local waters and I can relax for a while.

There are so many risks. One small mistake, and you stand to loose your whole investment. One document that is not in order or in time, and customs will refuse entry and your fish will die.

My latest batch arrived at midnight on Friday. Got a fright when Department of Agriculture started to open all the boxes at the airport. The fish stressed out, had to face the light after darkness of 45 hours in a box. The official did not want to hear anything about gradual exposure of light after arrival. "I am only doing my job" and "There is no other way"

Finally after two hours, I successfully landed my fish at their new home. 15 Boxes to unload at 2 o'clock in the morning.



After the 15th box, my knees are giving in over the steps and bridges.



Boxes almost unpacked.





The fish are floating and I can finally light a cigarette at 3:30.





Then, individually inspect each and every fish until 4:30 and I could look back a stunning batch of fish, but so tired, and finally went to bed.

After two hours sleep, I had to view them in day light but discovered that one of them decided to try and escape the high concentration of salt by finding its way to the settlement chamber and got stuck. The last thing I wanted to do after no sleep and backache was to dig open the pipework leading to the settlement chamber, but I had no option. Not a very happy chappie.

But, the reward, to see that they are already swimming around looking for food after no food in 7 days, and the quality, exceptional.






The Doitsu Goshiki's from Hiroi are just amazing. The shine on the metallics from Aoki brilliant.

Not one sick or dead fish, and now it is just waiting for the quarantine period to finish and the test results for KHV. Already one KHV negative result received from Japan and expect negative results from Amsterdam in due course. On conclusion of the quarantine period, I am quite positive that I will also receive KHV negative results from MDS in Durban.

Very nice well done Paul

When will we be able to make a apointment for a viewing ??

Hi Bubbles, thanks.

I prefer to have as little as possible movement around them in the first two weeks to allow them to settle in. Thereafter you may view.

They will only be available after 4 weeks provided that I have two more KHV negative results and they are all very healthy and clear of any possible parasites.

It remains facinating (to me) that the koi can survive such a long trip. Glad is wasn't me stuck in such a small space without being able to stretch legs - or fins for that matter.

Please let us know when we can come and view the new arrivals. I assume you will also post the new koi on your website for online purchasing - similar to last stock.

Well done, you guys.

Hi Paul,

Where are those Tosai now? In your old house or in your new farm?

regards,
SAS

Hi Paul

I feel for you my friend I know what it feels like to land between 50 - 100 box's for Japan 3 times a year the stress is a killer so I stop smoking, I will rather let the stress kill me slowly. If I keep on smoking as well then I will just kill my self very young.

I hope all goes well during QT all the best and well done

Hi Paul,

Do you have any kujaku available?

Thanks.
SAS

Hi Sas

There are a few Kujaku's from Aoki.

The water is still very murky from Bioboost but herewith a few more photos from my Hiroi batches: