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Comely koi in comely Boracay
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: Howard Borja
Date: 2002-11-12
 
THE POPULARITY of raising koi, arowana and other tropical fish is a welcome trend in this increasingly cyber world. While their natural habitats are under siege, it's good to know that their pedigree will live on, thanks to the "tender loving care" of enthusiasts, such as Henry Chusuey, president of Boracay Regency Beach Resort. The objects of Chusuey's enthusiasm are now the lucky residents of the Regency, housed in various tanks, and in the koi pond amid greenery, waterfalls and an elevated garden promenade.



Designed by Shirley Saunders, landscape artist for the Ayalas and Cojuangcos, the premises make an elegant setting for breezy afternoon cocktails and special events. Several specimens can also be spotted at the Wave underground music bar which, we were told, is Boracay's first underground music bar with laser lights and sound system at par with Asia's best.





The multistoried Mediterranean-inspired structure of the Boracay Regency makes it the island's biggest beachfront hotel, and has raised many eyebrows among the island's visiting backpackers and "Lonely Planet" type travelers, who expect more rustic lodgings in a tropical paradise. But with the increasing number of family-type and corporate tourists discovering Boracay, the Regency, with its AAA rating, is the place to go to.



The landscaping, the waterfalls and the tropical fish collection contribute to the softening of the Regency's otherwise cosmopolitan glitz, and make the vacation experience truly complete.



Chusuey started his hobby 20 years ago with goldfish. Now he has almost all kinds of freshwater fishes.



"I have two arowana, one chili red and one red; two arapaima; catfish; several kinds of cichlids, giant gourami; and about three-plus kois," he said.



Arowanas are expensive (50,000 to 100,000 pesos), especially the chili red that he owns. The price depends on the color and shape; it depends on the quality. There are kois that are more expensive than arowanas--from 2,000 pesos to several millions.



Asked why fish fanciers like him prefer to collect koi and arowana, he replied, "The arowana swims gracefully, its color is very nice, and it is said to be a lucky fish. The koi, on the other hand, looks good in the pond. You have to look at it from above to appreciate its color and patterns. There are many different kinds of pattern for each one--kohaku, asagi, shusui, utsuri, bekko, sanke, showa, etc. You have to know the general looks of the particular koi, what kind of pattern will appeal to you. It is very satisfying to feed as the koi has a voracious appetite. You can train it to feed from your hand.



"The koi is best viewed from above, hence you need to put it in ponds. When you watch a koi, you look at the pattern on its back and not sideways. The arowana is best viewed from the side as the color could be seen through its scales at the side of the body, hence it is put in an aquarium.



"Basically, as in all kinds of fish, you need to read up and do research on it before you try raising it. Just give them good water, proper filtration, oxygen, feed them and they will in return continue to grow and improve and give you years and years of enjoyment."

 

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