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Decades of Japanese Koi Expertise

Since 1983, Koi Water Barn has travelled to Japan to hand-select koi from the country’s most respected breeders. What began as a small specialist has grown into a destination for hobbyists who want exceptional fish and honest, experienced guidance.

With roots in koi importation stretching back to the 1960s, our team has built long-standing relationships that give us access to koi rarely seen outside Japan, each one chosen for health, pattern and future potential.

We are proud to have been the first non-Japanese supplier of a Grand Champion-winning koi at the All Japan Koi Show – a milestone that reflects the trust Japan’s top breeders place in us, and the standard we aim to bring to every pond we help create.

Crowing a champion

A defining moment in our history came at the 2006 All Japan Koi Show, the most prestigious koi event in the world. That year, a stunning Kohaku bred by Sakai Fish Farm and affectionately known as Yamato was supplied by Koi Water Barn’s Tony Pitham to British hobbyists Martin Plows and Mark Crampton.

Yamato went on to win Grand Champion, marking the first time a non-Japanese dealer and UK owners had ever taken the top award at this show. This win not only cemented our reputation with Japan’s leading breeders, it also proved that dedicated koi keepers from around the world could compete at the very highest level.

That 2006 Grand Champion still stands as a symbol of what we aim for at Koi Water Barn: world-class koi, trusted relationships in Japan, and results that speak for themselves.

The Owner

At the heart of Koi Water Barn is Tony Pitham, one of the most respected names in the koi world. With over 40 years of travelling to Japan and working directly with the country’s leading breeders, he has been invited to judge at the All Japan Koi Show eight times – a testament to his eye for quality and Grand Champion potential.

Tony is a lifelong student and teacher of koi, co-authoring books on koi health and pond design, and overseeing projects for collectors and businesses across multiple continents. His experience, integrity, and long-standing relationships shape everything Koi Water Barn does.

A Legacy

For many years, Keith Holmes was the heart of Koi Water Barn. A highly experienced koi handler, he made a major impact on the UK koi industry, authoring numerous books on koi health and pond construction. As manager of Koi Water Barn for over 20 years, he helped grow it into one of the most respected koi shops in the country. Keith sadly and unexpectedly passed away in early 2023, but his legacy and influence will never be forgotten.

RIP Keith Holmes, 1977–2023.

The Manager

Amir Ayman took over the management of Koi Water Barn in 2022, bringing with him many years of experience in the aquatic trade, including pond construction, koi importation, and specialist fish handling, supported by a BSc in Animal Management. Today, he travels regularly to Japan to hand-select exceptional koi for our customers and is recognised as one of the only Shinkokai-certified Koi Maestros in the UK.