Animate your water garden, pond, and even the aquarium with the different types of Koi fish that are distinguished on the basis of coloration, scales, and patterns.
Koi fish are more commonly known as Nishikigoi or jinli, which literally means ‘brocaded carp.’ They are colored varieties of the fish species Cyprinus rubrofuscus. Koi Fish are colorful and are often found in outdoor water gardens or koi-ponds.
Numerous varieties of koi fish have been identified by the Japanese. These varieties are distinguished on the basis of coloration, scales, and patterns. Koi Fish are mostly found in white, red and black as well as yellow, blue, green, and cream colors.
Koi fish are believed to have originated in China. They were later used as food by the Japanese. These fish were first bred by the Japanese in the mid-1800s for their aesthetic appeal.
Koi Fish are extremely intelligent. They can be trained to eat from out of your mouth and hand. They are omnivores, and they eat pond plants. Koi Fish also live for very long periods of time. They live an average of 50 years and can grow up to 36 inches.
More than 100 types of koi fish have been recognized till date. This species is one that you’ll see in a lot of aquariums, and for good reason. They add life and color to any aquarium or pond they are found in. If you love these vibrantly colored fish, you may also want to know about the various types of koi fish out there. You might be interested in learning more about koi fish.
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- Out of more than 100 types of koi fish, there are only a few that are quite popular. Each type has a different pattern and color that distinguishes it from other types of koi fish. The most common types of koi fish have been listed down for you.
1. Kohaku
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Kohaku is considered the king of all koi fish. This is the first variety of koi fish that developed with two colors. Its simplicity and majestic look make this a great choice for any aquarium.
Color
The Kohaku koi fish has a body that is a stunning white color (shiroji), with red blotches adding a bit of color to its otherwise uniform look. The nose of most Kohaku fish is yellowish. The red markings, that are traditionally called hi, are of two types. The first is a red with a purple tint. These markings appear quite thick, but as the fish ages, the markings fade, resulting in the absence of crisp margins. This color is quite easy to maintain, so Kohaku fish with this type of marking is usually the best choice for inexperienced koi fish owners.
The second type of marking is more popular than the first one. Although it is orange-red in colour, it is more difficult to maintain. These markings are distinguished by a sharp margin between the red and white. Kohaku fish with orange-red markings are a preferred choice of people who are experienced with taking care of koi fish.
Pattern of Markings
The markings on the body of Kohaku fish make them stand out. Most Kohaku has a red-colored mark on their head that is usually separate from the markings on the rest of their body. Sometimes, however, the markings on their body can extend to the head. These Kohaku are also known as bongiri. The boze is a Kohaku that has no markings .
No matter what color or pattern a Kohaku comes in, this type of koi is a stunning addition to any aquarium or a pond.
2. Taisho Sanke
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Taisho Sanke is also known as the Taisho Sanshoku or simply Sanke. Sanshoku refers to three colors. This name corresponds to the presence of three colors on the body of this type of koi – white, red, and black. It is very similar to the Kohaku Koi. It has the same body as Kohaku (shiroji) and red markings (hi) just like Kohaku. The only difference is the presence of black markings (Sumi markings) on its body. Taisho Sanke is among the ‘Big Three’ in the world of koi fish.
Pattern of Markings
The head of a Sanke usually comprises of two colors, which are white and red, and is devoid of any Sumi markings. Another difference between Sanke and Kohaku is that the red markings begin from the top of the head, so the face is generally clear. The pectoral fins are white at base with Sumi markings.
3. Showa
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Showa is also known as Showa Sanshoku or Showa Sanke. Sanshoku, which means “three colors”, was mentioned earlier. Showa gets its name due to the presence of white, red, and black colors on its body.
Showa is very similar to Sanke. However, the main difference that sets the two types of koi fish apart is the Karasu (black-colored body) of the Showa. Showa’s body has a predominantly black base and shows white and red markings.
Pattern of Markings
Unlike Sanke, Showa koi fish have a black pattern that runs throughout their bodies. Sanke koi fish, on the other hand, only have a black pattern on the upper half of their bodies. Showa, on the other hand, have black patterns on both their heads and upper bodies. This is in contrast to Sanke.
The body has evenly distributed white, red and black-colored markings, with clean and crisp margins between them.
4. Tancho
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The Tancho koi fish is named after the national bird of Japan, the Tancho Crane, which has a prominent red spot on its head. Tancho is simple and elegant and is well-known for its trademark pigmentation (a small red spot) on the top of its head.
The Red Spot
Tancho Kohaku is the most picturesque Tancho. It is white in color with a reddish spot at its head. Although it is typically round in shape, this spot can be found in other more symmetrical shapes. The spot must be symmetrical to fall under the Tancho umbrella. It can be circular, oval or heart-shaped. It should have a dominant size and not be scattered. The defining characteristic of a Tancho koi fish is a single, clear, prominent, red-colored spot.
Tancho Showa, Tancho Sanke are two other popular Tancho varieties.
5. Utsuri
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Utsuri is not just a single type of koi fish. It is the name of a category, Utsurimono, that includes three types of Utsuri koi fish; Shiro Utsuri, Ki Utsuri, and Hi Utsuri. Utsurimono means reflection. The Utsuri koi fish have a black body (Karasu), with red (hi), yellow (ki), or white (shiroji) markings.
The category has been named Utsurimono to indicate the overlaying red, white, or yellow patterns that suggest the reflection of the color on the body of koi fish.
Pattern of Markings
The sumi pattern on the head of an Utsuri koi fish is similar to that of Showa, that is, a Sumi mark that divides the face. The Sumi pattern that is present on the body is also similar to that of Showa. The entire body has a large, prominent, and reflective Sumi pattern.
The Sumi wraps around the body below the Utsuri Koi fish’s lateral line. These markings extend to the tail from the nose and are balanced throughout the length of the body as well as on both sides of the dorsal line.
6. Bekko
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The literal meaning of Bekko is ‘tortoise shell.’ Bekko and Utsuri are often confused. The main difference between the two is the fact that Utsuri’s base has white, red or yellow-colored markings, while Bekko has a white base with Sumi (black colored) markings. The head of a Bekko will always be clear of any Sumi markings.
Colors
The known variants of Bekko include Shiro Bekko (white body), Aka Bekko (Red body), and Ki Bekko (yellow body). The most common of all these variants is the Shiro Bekko.
Pattern of Markings
The characteristic feature of a Bekko koi fish is that it will have no markings (black-colored Sumi markings) on the head. Sumi markings are spread throughout the white, red, and yellow-colored bodies.
7. Asagi
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Asagi koi fish are strikingly beautiful creatures. They have a blue-colored, net-like pattern on the top of their bodies with red-orange coloration on the belly, fins, gill plates, and the body. As an Asagi koi fish age, the red coloration (hi), spreads upwards from its bottom.
Pattern of Markings
The Asagi koi fish whose bodies are more red than usual is known as the Hi Asagi. Another type of Asagi koi that is quite popular is the Taki Asagi. It has the typical blue-colored net pattern and red coloration along with an additional white-colored line of scales that runs between the red and blue pigmented areas of the fish’s body. The head of an Asagi is usually clear, without any markings. The color of the head is usually white or pale blue.
8. Shusui
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Shusui is a version of Asagi koi, but the difference is that Shusui is the Doitsu or scale-less version of Asagi. Due to the absence of scales on the top of the body, there is no blue-colored net-like pattern. The scales that are present form a single row along the dorsal line of the body.
Pattern of Markings
The color of a Shusui’s head is pale blue or white and does not have any markings or spots. The presence of red-colored, extended cheeks is a common occurrence in Shusui koi fish. There are no specifications regarding the markings on the body except for the presence of a single row of scales running neatly and uniformly along the length of the back.
9. Koromo(*13*)
Koromo or Goromo is one of the most stunning types of koi fish. It is a hybrid of a Kohaku and an Asagi ki fish. It has the characteristic colors of a Kohaku (white and red) and the characteristic net pattern of the Asagi koi fish.
Pattern of Markings
The body of a Goromo koi fish is white-colored with a red-orange pattern on the body just like a Kohaku koi fish. What makes it different from the Kohaku is the blue-colored, net-like pattern of the scales on each of the red-colored scaly patches that are present on the body of a Goromo koi fish.
There are three different variants of the Goromo koi fish, which are:
- Aigoromo: It has an indigo-blue colored edge to the scales (known as the ai) within the red-colored patterns (hi).
- Sumigoromo has a black-colored edge (sumi), to the scales within the red-colored patterns (hi).
- Budoromo has a combination of a red-colored pattern (hi), and a black-colored pattern (sumi), giving it a grape-like look (called “budo”).
10. Goshiki(*13*)
Goshiki means five colors. This type of koi fish has a solid, white-colored body with an Asagi-like black-blue, net pattern spread throughout the length of its body. It is the result of breeding between Asagi and Kohaku koi fish.
The Asagi has a net-like pattern and a red-colored plate (hi), which comes from the Kohaku. It is named Goshiki because of the presence of various colors which are: white (of the base), red-orange (of the hi-plate), and blue and black (of the net-like pattern).
As the Goshiki ages, the red hi plate become so thick and dense that it appears as an external sticker over the body of the koi fish. The net-like pattern fades away, leaving only the thick red-colored plates throughout the body. If the koi has been taken care of the right way and the colors develop correctly, a Goshiki koi fish is a stunning sight to see!
11. Kawarimono
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Kawarimono or Kawarigoi is a family of koi fish that comprises of fast-growing, large-sized koi fish. The most prominent types of koi fish in this category are:
- Hajiro: It is a koi fish with a black body (sumi) with white-colored (shiroji) tips on its fins and tail.
- Hageshiro: This koi fish is quite similar to Hajiro, but has a white-colored face and head instead of white-colored tips on its fins and tail.
- Kumonryu, also known as the Dragon Fish, is a Sumi Doitsu koi that features white-colored swirling markings all over its body and head. It is not fixed. It can change with the seasons.
- Ochiba Shigure is the name for fallen leaves. This pattern is Kohaku-like and overlays a blue-gray ora body. This pattern is reminiscent of fallen autumn leaves.
Single-Colored Varieties
The Kawarimono family also includes single-colored koi fish. Some of the single-colored varieties of Kawarimono are:
- Kigoi (yellow-colored)
- Benigoi (dark-red)
- Midorigoi (green-colored)
- Soragoi (blue-gray)
- Chagoi (green-brown/brown colored)
- Shiro Muji (white-colored)
12. Hikari Muji(*13*)
Hikari Muji or Hikari Mono is a class of koi fish that are single-colored, with skin that is shiny in appearance. Hikari can be translated as shiny or metallic. Because of their shimmering beauty, these koi fish are the first to be sold from retail fish tanks. They do not have any patterns on their bodies, as a result of which, the shiny appearance is more profound.
The numerous types of koi fish that fall in this category are:
- Orenji Ogon: It is a deep-orange colored koi fish.
- Yamabuki Ogon is a yellow-colored, metallic-looking Koi fish.
- Aka Matsuba is a koi fish with red scales and black centers. The koi fish’s pinecone effect is created by these scales.
- Kin Matsuba, a yellow-gold metallic-looking koifish with a similar design to an Aka Matsuba, is called Kin Matsuba.
- Gin Matsuba: This koi fish is a silver-colored version of the Kin Matsuba.
13. Hikari Moyo(*13*)
While the single-colored Ogon, Kin, and Matsuba fall in the category of Hikari Muji, all the Hikari (metallic) koi fish that have two or more colors fall under the umbrella of Hikari Moyo. Numerous types of koi fish that fall under this class are a result of breeding between different Hikari Mono koi fish.
Hikari Moyo is a breathtakingly beautiful family of koi fish. A combination of shimmering skin with striking patterns and coloring makes Hikari Moyo koi fish a splendid sight to look at!
The fish that fall under the class of Hikari Moyo are:
- Yamatonisiki: This is a metallic version of the Sanke koi fish.
- Hariwake: It is a koi fish with a white-colored body, with orange or yellow-colored markings similar to that of a Kohaku koi fish.
- Sakura Ogon: This is a metallic version of the Kohaku koi fish.
- Kujaku: Kujaku is a Japanese word that means Peacock. It is a metallic version of the Kohaku koi fish with a Matsuba (pinecone) pattern.
There are numerous other types of koi fish like Hikari Utsuri, Kin gin rin, etc. These types are less common and far less popular as compared to the types of koi fish listed above. The colors and patterns of koi fish make them a popular species for decorative purposes. Koi Fish are among the most beautiful and simple fish that can be found in fish gardens, aquariums, and ponds.
