Japanese Clay or “The Magic White Soil” is a clay mineral from the Yasawagi district in Akita prefecture, Japan.

Those who live in the district used to take this clay as a secret medicine for diarrhoea, injury, toothache etc. They call the clay “marvellous soil” or “magic white soil.”

Japanese Clay is a wonderful gift from the earth, which can not be produced artificially. These effective minerals keep water clean and help to supply nutrition dissolving slowly into the water through ion exchanges for excessive materials and bad materials for Koi. These natural workings are necessary elements to keep Koi healthy and improve their colour.

It has been proven over the ages, that by dissolving this clay into the water, the same high quality of life can be reproduced, remaining consistent for a very long time for the benefit of many creatures which inhabit the waters.

Exactly what is this clay?

Japanese Clay is a mineral composed of Montmorillonite in it’s core and sixteen other necessary minerals such as silicic acid, aluminium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and iron etc surrounding the core. Collectively, these effective minerals keep the water clean and further help to supply good nutrition, dissolving slowly into the water through an ion exchange system and in the same process lowering the levels of less welcome compounds also dissolving into the water, such as decaying organic materials thus minimising the spread of bacterial diseases.

Japanese Clay is pure natural Montmorillonite and this white clay belongs to a useful group of minerals. If it is mixed with other natural or artificial products certain qualities of the mineral are lost as the balance has now been disturbed. When Koi are bred or raised in waters containing this natural product, the clarity of colours and quality of skin is unsurpassed. When Koi are deprived of this source in lakes lacking in Montmorillonite or man made concrete ponds, colours quickly deteriorate. Some studies of lakes containing natural clay bottoms clearly reveal that colour and skin quality is more stabilised and defined in such circumstances. This clearly adds weight to the fact that the best ponds usually arise from those with clay bottoms. However, when that clay is of the Montmorillonite source then the visible results from the fish are outstanding. Other clay and stone minerals cannot reproduce the same qualities to that of these Japanese Clays  . . . no matter what you are told.

These clays actually improve water quality and restricts the increase of decaying organic material raising levels of bacterial diseases, thus maintaining our Koi in a much more healthy environment. So there are valuable options open to us when we keep Koi in concrete or liner ponds. By regular use of these clays in our ponds, we can simulate the same qualities of water found in natural lakes. Essential growth and health is maintained with the presence of natural minerals always being plentiful. The fear of overdosing Japanese Clay in a Koi pond is impossible and regular doses on a weekly basis is highly recommended to achieve maximum efficiency.

Japanese Clay is used for improving the white skin and strong colours particularly red and black (sumi), and is also a fantastic way in improving the water quality if used on a regular basis. Water treated with these clays actually adds a sparkle and improved clarity to the water. Full of minerals and essential vitamins for growth and healthy Koi.