THE GLOW-UP OF A LIFETIME
We often hear visiting neighbors say that when a household has Koi Fish, it means they are rich and lucky. This might be true, but this luck often comes with determination and perseverance in raising Koi.
Perhaps that is why Jimi’s biggest achievement feels especially meaningful.
For some, it is simply a beautiful Fish. For Jaime “Jimi” Lim, it represents decades of patience, heartbreak, hope, and unwavering dedication.
In December 2025, Jimi achieved what many Koi enthusiasts spend a lifetime chasing. During the Philippine Combined Nishikigoi Club National Show, his prized Kohaku, Maru Razor, was crowned the Grand Champion, while another Kohaku, Zima 80, secured the Reserve Grand Champion title.
It was a moment that felt almost unreal. “I finally achieved a long-held dream,” he recalls.
But the story of Maru Razor did not begin in a show ring. It began years earlier, with a hobby that slowly transformed into a lifelong passion.
FISH WORTH WAITING FOR
Jimi’s journey into caring for Koi began in 2000.
Like many beginners, he started with locally bred Koi of average quality. They were far from championship contenders, but they ignited a fascination that would eventually shape much of his life.
Five years later, he opened Koi Village Pet Mall in Makati, creating a place where others could learn about and appreciate these living jewels.
Then came a turning point.
In 2007, Jimi traveled to Niigata, Japan, the birthplace of many of the world’s finest Koi. There, he encountered premium Koi for the first time. “The unparalleled beauty of high-quality Koi” left a lasting impression on him.
Since then, trips to Japan became a regular part of his life. Several times each year, he carefully studied bloodlines, body conformation, and color development. Each visit deepened his understanding of what separates a good Koi from an extraordinary one.
BEAUTY THAT GROWS WITH TIME
Unlike many companion animals, Koi Fish reveal their potential slowly. According to the blog of Kloubec Koi Farm in 2024, a young Koi may appear promising one year and look entirely different the next. Colors shift. Patterns evolve. Body shape changes with age.
For Jimi, this unpredictability is both the greatest challenge and the greatest attraction of caring for Koi Fish. “Only three out of ten” expensive, high- quality Koi may eventually become competitive show Fish, he explains. The rest might never fulfill their early promise.
It is a lesson in patience.
Every day becomes an act of faith. Faith that the Fish swimming beneath the water today may become something extraordinary years from now. Perhaps that is why Maru Razor means so much to Jimi.
The 78-centimeter Kohaku was personally recommended by Hisashi Hirasawa of Marudo Koi Farm, who believed the Fish possessed exceptional potential. Years later, that promise became reality.
WHAT MAKES A KOHAKU SPECIAL?
Among the many varieties of Koi, Kohaku remains one of the most iconic.
A Kohaku is defined by deep red markings, called hi, set against a snow-white body according to an article published by Complete Koi & Aquatics. While the concept sounds simple, achieving perfect balance between color, pattern, skin quality, and body structure is incredibly difficult.
For many hobbyists, Kohaku represents the purest expression of Koi beauty.
THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED
The morning of the Philippine Combined Nishikigoi Club National Show was unusually hectic. Jimi needed to attend another event in Rizal and had planned to leave shortly after the judging began.
As he drove away from the venue, his phone rang. It was his manager. The news was almost impossible to process. Maru Razor had been named Grand Champion.
Even more astonishing, Zima 80 had secured Reserve Grand Champion.
Against a field filled with outstanding competitors, his Fish had claimed the two highest honors. “I couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” he says.
The victory was more than a trophy. It represented years of learning, countless trips abroad, early mornings spent maintaining ponds, and difficult moments when prized Fish became ill or failed to develop as expected.
All of those experiences suddenly felt worthwhile.
FISH VS FISHES
When referring to multiple individuals of the same species, such as Koi, the preferred term is Fish. However, when talking about multiple species, the word Fishes is more appropriate.
A WORLD BUILT AROUND WATER
Looking at a championship Koi, it is easy to focus on the Fish alone. What most people do not see is the environment that supports them. Jimi designs his ponds to mimic natural conditions as closely as possible. Waterfalls create movement. Plants add complexity to the habitat. Powerful filtration systems maintain water quality. Every day involves maintenance.
Sediment is removed from filtration chambers. Fresh water is added. Fish are observed carefully for subtle signs of illness or stress. Even handling a Koi requires caution.
“Netting Koi is an essential part of Koi care, but it can be stressful for the Fish,” Jimi explains.
The goal is always to minimize stress and preserve the pristine skin quality that makes championship Koi so remarkable.
BEFORE STARTING A KOI POND
- Consult Koi experts before building a pond
- Invest in proper filtration from the beginning
- Prioritize water quality above everything else
- Build a pond with adequate depth and swimming space
- Acquire the best-quality Koi your budget reasonably allows
- Commit to regular maintenance and observation
KOI KEEPING IS NOT ALL ABOUT AESTHETIC PONDS
Social media makes it look like Koi keeping is peaceful.
And sometimes it is.
Other times, hobbyists are dealing with parasites, fungal infections, water quality concerns, or the heartbreak of losing a beloved Fish despite their best efforts. According to Jimi, disease outbreaks remain one of the biggest challenges in caring for Koi.
The glamour is real.
So is the maintenance.
THE PERFECT KOI POND
A beautiful Koi pond is more than a water feature. It is a carefully designed home. According to The Spruce Pets, successful Koi ponds require adequate space, proper filtration, and consistent maintenance.
Experts recommend providing at least 250 gallons of water per Koi, along with efficient mechanical and biological filtration to maintain water quality.
Pond depth is equally important, with deeper ponds helping to protect Fish from temperature extremes and providing room for growth. Waterfalls, currents, and regular maintenance not only enhance the pond’s appearance but also contribute to healthier, more active Fish.
As many quickly discover, great Koi begin with great water.
As many quickly discover, great Koi begin with great water.
6 QUICK KOI POND TIPS
- Provide at least 250 gallons of water per Koi
- Invest in proper mechanical and biological filtration
- Maintain excellent water quality through regular maintenance
- Include adequate depth and swimming space
- Consider water movement through waterfalls or aeration
- Avoid overcrowding the pond
COMMON HEALTH CONCERNS
According to Jimi, the successful care of Koi Fish relies on three essentials: excellent water quality, proper filtration, and consistent observation.
This philosophy is echoed by the Veterinary Information Network, emphasizing that prevention is key to maintaining Koi health. Regular observation, good nutrition, and proper pond management can help reduce the risk of common health concerns.
These common health concerns include the following.
- Bacterial infections – such as ulcers and skin sores
- Fungal infections – often appearing as cotton-like growths on the skin
- Gill flukes – parasites that can cause breathing difficulties and gill irritation
- External parasites – such as Fish lice (Argulus) and anchor worms (Lernaea)
- Stress-related illnesses – often associated with poor water quality, overcrowding, or transport
Early detection and proper pond management remain the best tools for maintaining healthy Fish.
THE FISH WHO STOLE JIMI’S HEART
Although Kohaku would eventually bring him his greatest success, another variety first captured Jimi’s imagination.
During his visits to Japan, he became fascinated by Doitsu Koi, a group of Koi known for having few or no scales. Their smooth, glossy skin allowed colors and patterns to stand out with remarkable clarity, creating an almost polished appearance beneath the water. Without scales interrupting the surface, every hue seemed more vivid, every marking more defined. One variety in particular left a lasting impression.
The Kikusui.
With their metallic white bodies and vibrant orange-red markings, these Fish seemed almost unreal as they glided through the pond. Sunlight danced across their skin, highlighting their brilliant metallic luster and making them appear like living jewels. It was this striking combination of color and shine that first captured Jimi’s attention and deepened his appreciation for Japanese Koi.
Interestingly, Kikusui are often mistaken for other Doitsu varieties. According to Hanover Koi Farms, confusion is common because many scaleless or partially scaled Koi share similar colors and patterns. While a Doitsu Koi is not a specific variety but rather a term used for Koi with few or no scales, Kikusui are a distinct Doitsu variety characterized by their metallic white bodies and vibrant orange-red markings.
In other words, all Kikusui are Doitsu Koi, but not all Doitsu Koi are Kikusui.
Years later, Jimi still considers Kikusui among the most captivating Koi he has ever encountered.
LESSONS BENEATH THE SURFACE
Over the years, Koi taught Jimi far more than how to raise them.
They taught patience. They taught resilience. They taught him that success rarely happens overnight.
A champion Koi is not created in a single season. They are the result of years of careful decisions, daily commitment, and the willingness to keep learning. That philosophy extends beyond the pond.
Jimi encourages seeking guidance from experts with considerable experience and investing in proper pond design from the beginning. Most importantly, he reminds newcomers to enjoy the journey itself.
After all, the greatest reward is not always a championship title. Sometimes, it is simply standing beside a pond, watching a living work of art glide silently through the water, and realizing that every challenge along the way helped create that moment.
LIVING JEWELS
Watching Maru Razor move through the water, it is easy to understand why. The vibrant red pattern seems almost painted by hand. The snowy white skin glows beneath the surface. Every movement appears effortless. Yet behind that beauty lies a story measured not in months, but in decades.
For Jimi, Maru Razor is more than a Grand Champion. The Fish is a reminder that some dreams take years to reach, and that the most meaningful victories are often the ones patiently earned.
