Types of Koi
All types of koi belong to the same species Cyprinus carpio and from this species well over a hundred color varieties have been bred. New types of koi are being bred all the time and some koi can be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds / dollars.The types of koi are made up from Japanese words that describe the color, pattern, lustre and scalation of a particular koi. Learning to recognise the different types of koi can be made easier when you understand how they are grouped. Some types of koi like the 'Kohaku' feature only one variety while others describe several varieties.
Types of Koi: Kohaku
Kohaku Winner 2011 Japan
A Kohaku is a very popular type of koi especially in Japan as it has the colors of their flag, red & white. To have a show quality koi in this category is one of the hardest categories to rate in. Owning a good Kohaku is the ambition of every koi keeper.
This type of koi first appeared in Japan in 1804 and the Japanese continue to perfect this fish. Koi shows are looking for a good contrast between the red and white with no smudging between the colors.
The Kohaku pictured above is a Japanese 2011 show winner and shows excellent color contrast between the red and white and excellent coverage over the head.
This type of koi first appeared in Japan in 1804 and the Japanese continue to perfect this fish. Koi shows are looking for a good contrast between the red and white with no smudging between the colors.
The Kohaku pictured above is a Japanese 2011 show winner and shows excellent color contrast between the red and white and excellent coverage over the head.
Types of Koi: Taisho Sanke
Types of Koi: Taisho Sanke
This type of koi is very popular across the world and one of the more prized types of koi to be entered into competitions. The word 'Sanke' simply means tri color. and the colors looked for are red, white and black. The word 'Taisho' comes from the period in history when the 'Sanke' was first recorded. The Taisho Sanke is judged very similar to the Kohaku except of course it has three colors to be judged. The balance between color and pattern is very important.
The Taisho Sanke pictured above is an excellent example of a show quality koi. The colors are very well defined and beautifully contrast one another. This type and quality of koi would go for serious money. The head markings should not reach down towards the eyes. Large Hi (red) markings are preferred down the length of the body, complimented by sumi (black) markings. Sumi markings should not extend below the lateral line of the fish.
The Taisho Sanke pictured above is an excellent example of a show quality koi. The colors are very well defined and beautifully contrast one another. This type and quality of koi would go for serious money. The head markings should not reach down towards the eyes. Large Hi (red) markings are preferred down the length of the body, complimented by sumi (black) markings. Sumi markings should not extend below the lateral line of the fish.
Types of Koi: Showa Sanshoku
Types of Koi: Showa Sanshoku
This type of koi is one that makes part of the big three (Kohaku, Taisho sanke and Showa sanshoku). This type of koi has much more sumi (black), than Sanke. The Showa Sanshoku is a relatively new type of koi compared to Kohaku and Sanke and was first produced in 1927.
The Showa and the Sanke both have 3 colors, however in the Showa judges are looking for a predominately black color over white. Judges are looking for a very clear snow like white. The Showa pictured above is a show winner in Japan. The sumi (black) on the fins is a very important feature and should be on the base and equal on both sides. There are many different classifications to the Showa at competitions.
The Showa and the Sanke both have 3 colors, however in the Showa judges are looking for a predominately black color over white. Judges are looking for a very clear snow like white. The Showa pictured above is a show winner in Japan. The sumi (black) on the fins is a very important feature and should be on the base and equal on both sides. There are many different classifications to the Showa at competitions.
Types of Koi: Bekko
Shiro Bekko
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Aka Bekko
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Ki Bekko
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This type of koi is white, red or yellow and contain a distinctive set of sumi (black) markings. When judges are marking this type of fish they look for jet black markings that are solid in appearance. The Shiro Bekko is a white koi with sumi markings and the white should be the color of snow. Aka Bekko is a red koi with sumi markings and the Ki Bekko is yellow with suni markings.
The head of this type of koi should ideally not have any sumi markings, and should be the same color as the rest of the fish. It is very difficult to find a Bekko without any markings or discoloration to the head.
The head of this type of koi should ideally not have any sumi markings, and should be the same color as the rest of the fish. It is very difficult to find a Bekko without any markings or discoloration to the head.
Types of Koi: Utsurimono
Types of Koi: Utsurimono
This types of koi is often confused with the Bekko because of the similar coloration. The main difference between these two types of koi is that the Utsuri is black with white, red or yellow markings, and the Bekko is white, red or yellow with black markings.
Utsuri have striking sumi colors and should be jet black in color with uniform shading. The second color should let the sumi pattern stand out.
The Shiro Utsuri is a black koi with white markings.
The Hi Utsuri is black with red markings.
The Ki Utsuri is black with yellow markings.
On the Utsuri the marking should wrap around the entire body as opposed to the Bekko where the sumi pattern remains above the lateral line of the fish.
Utsuri have striking sumi colors and should be jet black in color with uniform shading. The second color should let the sumi pattern stand out.
The Shiro Utsuri is a black koi with white markings.
The Hi Utsuri is black with red markings.
The Ki Utsuri is black with yellow markings.
On the Utsuri the marking should wrap around the entire body as opposed to the Bekko where the sumi pattern remains above the lateral line of the fish.
Types of Koi: Asagi
Types of Koi: Asagi
At first glance one may assume this is a rather plain fish compared to other types of koi, but a high quality Asagi is a subtle, elegant fish with a delicate pattern of scalation and fine color.
The colors can vary between different types of Asagi but a lighter blue is preferred. The head should be a light blue grey with no speckle of black. The scales should be outlined. Hi (red) markings should be present on the cheeks extending to the eyes. Hi should extend beneath the lateral line and the belly should be white.
Narumi Asagi: Has the typical light blue color.
Konjo Asagi: A very dark Asagi almost black in color.
Mizu Asagi: A very light Asagi.
Asagi Sanke: A pale blue back, red head and sides.
A very over looked aspect of koi keeping is that koi are generally seen in groups. So not one type of koi is better than another. So the addition of an Asagi koi to a collection will help to add variety to the collection and add value to the hobbyist.
The colors can vary between different types of Asagi but a lighter blue is preferred. The head should be a light blue grey with no speckle of black. The scales should be outlined. Hi (red) markings should be present on the cheeks extending to the eyes. Hi should extend beneath the lateral line and the belly should be white.
Narumi Asagi: Has the typical light blue color.
Konjo Asagi: A very dark Asagi almost black in color.
Mizu Asagi: A very light Asagi.
Asagi Sanke: A pale blue back, red head and sides.
A very over looked aspect of koi keeping is that koi are generally seen in groups. So not one type of koi is better than another. So the addition of an Asagi koi to a collection will help to add variety to the collection and add value to the hobbyist.
Types of Koi: Koromo
Types of Koi: Koromo
This type of koi is very popular with collectors and means 'robed' and is a description og the Hi (red) colors highlighted in a darker color. As the koi gets older it will develop a better and better finished look. It is very hard to breed a good show quality koromo koi.
These types of koi are graded on their basic Kohaku pattern with a deep Hi (red). The white should be the color of snow. There are a number of categories of Koromo.
These types of koi are graded on their basic Kohaku pattern with a deep Hi (red). The white should be the color of snow. There are a number of categories of Koromo.
Types of Koi: Kawarimono
Types of Koi: Kawarimono
The Kawarimono category of koi accommodates all non metallic koi that do not fall into other categories. The number of koi within this group is ever expanding as more and more types of koi are bred.
The judging criteria is just as harsh as other categories, and a good kawarimono will go for an equally high price compared to a Kohaku, Sanke and Showa. Because this category has less defined criteria there is more freedom in breeding a particular type of koi. Not many people are able to identify a young kawarimono in the making because it is hard to know how the fish will evolve.
One of the most sought after types of kawarimono koi is the Karasu group . These are black koi with white or orange bellies. The black and white contrast on some types of koi is stunning and some of the more black koi are sought after because of their beauty when they break the surface water. Because of their dark color you often only see them when they break the water surface. A good collection would certainly look to have one of these in it.
The judging criteria is just as harsh as other categories, and a good kawarimono will go for an equally high price compared to a Kohaku, Sanke and Showa. Because this category has less defined criteria there is more freedom in breeding a particular type of koi. Not many people are able to identify a young kawarimono in the making because it is hard to know how the fish will evolve.
One of the most sought after types of kawarimono koi is the Karasu group . These are black koi with white or orange bellies. The black and white contrast on some types of koi is stunning and some of the more black koi are sought after because of their beauty when they break the surface water. Because of their dark color you often only see them when they break the water surface. A good collection would certainly look to have one of these in it.
Types of Koi: Hikarimono (Ogon)
Types of Koi: Hikarimono
The Hikarimono category is very popular and means metallic (hikari) and single color (mono). The ogon is a highly metallic koi normally silver or golden yellow and contrasts beautifully with other koi in a pond. Most people with collections will keep at least one of these types of koi in their collection.
As with all judging at shows this particular type of koi has fierce competition. There are many varieties in this category.
Ogon art typically gold koi but their colors can vary depending on the variety. This type of koi should have the same hue all over from head to tail as well as down the tips of the fins.
This type of koi (ogon) should have no markings on the body
As with all judging at shows this particular type of koi has fierce competition. There are many varieties in this category.
Ogon art typically gold koi but their colors can vary depending on the variety. This type of koi should have the same hue all over from head to tail as well as down the tips of the fins.
This type of koi (ogon) should have no markings on the body
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