Our Story
Started at 13.
Running the show now.
Koi Hut opened in 2016 and has since become well respected in the local fish keeping community. We boast a wealth of knowledge in keeping Koi and collectively have at least ninety years of experience in fish keeping to draw on.
Gary Harris first walked into Koi Hut as a 13-year-old with a fascination for Japanese Koi. After years of learning the trade — from fish husbandry to pond construction — Gary took over ownership on 23rd September 2024, bringing fresh energy and a clear vision: to make Koi Hut the go-to destination for serious koi keepers in the south of England.
We have a well stocked dry goods shop and two fish rooms housing twenty-seven holding tanks, plus quarantine facilities housed separately from the main shop. A dedicated Koi Health Specialist is available on request for pond visits and advice.
Licensed & Regulated
Fully Licensed Pet Shop
Koi Hut holds a current Pet Shop Licence issued by Havant Borough Council, ensuring all livestock is kept and sold to the highest welfare standards.
Our licence covers the keeping and sale of fish, and is renewed annually following inspection. You can shop with confidence knowing every fish is cared for in a fully compliant, regulated environment.
What We Stand For
Quality Over Quantity
We don't stock everything — we stock the best. Every koi is hand-selected from Japan's top breeders.
Honest Advice
Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, we'll give you straight answers. No upselling, no pressure.
Community First
From our weekly auctions to in-store chats, we're building a community of people who genuinely love koi.
The People Behind the Fish
Meet the Team
Gary Harris
Owner
Gary started as an apprentice and has been with us since 2016. He now runs the day to day operations of Koi Hut as the shop manager. Gary has since accumulated a wealth of knowledge and is always happy to discuss all things related to Koi.
He has recently purchased the business from the previous owner and is now the proud owner of Koi Hut.
From apprentice to owner in under 10 years, Gary has certainly come a long way!
Steve Walkling
Pond Builder
Steve is our in-house pond builder. He creates beautiful bespoke ponds tailored to the customer's requests and specifications.
Check out our Pond Builds page to see examples of his previous work. He also deals with installing new filters and pipework maintenance.
When he isn't on a pond building job, Steve can be found at The Koi Hut.
Jack Hewitt
Fish Room Assistant / Pond Build Assistant
Jack is the newest addition to the Koi Hut team. He has a passion for all things fish, especially keeping stingrays and more exotic freshwater tropical species.
In the time he has been with us, Jack has gained a working knowledge of Koi Carp, pipework and the best ways to maintain your pond.
Dan Watson
IT & Support
Dan is in charge of the website and internet sales. He is usually in the back office at Koi Hut but will be happy to help out customers when needed.
Come see us
We're based in Havant, Hampshire. Pop in for a browse, a chat, or to meet your next koi. We're always happy to help.