Koi Varieties

Koi coloration includes from one to three colors, the colors including white, yellow, orange, red, black, and blue (a grayish shade due to black underneath the skin), with either a flat or metallic appearance. Patterning of koi is infinitely variable, but desirable patterns include a round patch on the forehead, and a stepping-stone pattern down the back. The scales may be present or missing, large or small, or crinkled, giving a "diamond" appearance.

While possible variations in koi are limitless, koi breeders have identified and named a number of specific types. The koi breeding process is complicated, since most of these koi varieties do not breed true, and much of the knowledge is still a closely guarded secret. Individual koi are also selected for appearance while the fish is being raised; the net result is that an aesthetically attractive fish of a rare koi variety may fetch a price of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

The major named varieties of koi include:

• Asagi - light blue on top, red/orange on bottom, blue scales bordered in white
• Shusui - similar to asagi, but with large scales in a dorsal row
• Bekko - primary koi color red/orange/yellow/white, with black markings
• Hikarimoyo-mono - two colors; one flat, one metallic
• Hikari-utsurimono - two metallic colors
• Kawarimono - miscellaneous
• Goshiki - mostly black, with red, white, brown, and blue accents
• Kinginrin - bright metallic sheen, silver highlights
• Kohaku - red accents on white body
• Koromo - red and white koi overlaid with blue or silver
• Ogon - uniform yellow or white, highly metallic koi
• Platinum Ogon - pure white koi
• Showa Sanshoku - black bodied koi with red and white markings
• Taisho sanke - primarily white body with red and black markings
• Utsurimono - black body, with red markings(Hi Utsuri), white markings(Shiro Utsuri), or yellow markings(Ki Utsuri).
• Tancho - primarily white koi, with a red patch on the forehead only
• Tancho kohaku - pure white koi with round red head patch

Many koikeepers enjoy having a large variety of koi in different colors and patterns swimming in their koi pond. Other koi keepers may be so impressed with a particular color or pattern of koi that they only want that specific type in their pond. Whether you choose one or many colors of koi for your pond you can't go wrong, it's a beautiful sight either way!