Koi Variety Guide

The most iconic and celebrated koi variety. Kohaku has a snow-white (Shiro) body with red (Hi) patterns. It is the cornerstone of the hobby and the benchmark against which all koi are judged. The expression 'It begins and ends with Kohaku' reflects its central place in koi keeping.

Sanke features the same white base and red pattern as Kohaku but with the addition of black (Sumi) markings. Sumi should appear only on the body, never on the head. A classic three-colour koi often called simply 'Sanke'.

Showa is distinguished from Sanke by its black (Sumi) base — the whole body is wrapped in Sumi, with white and red appearing as colour patches over it. The Sumi wraps around the body and appears on the head, creating a bold, dramatic appearance.

Utsuri means 'reflection' in Japanese. These koi have a black base with either white (Shiro Utsuri), red (Hi Utsuri), or yellow (Ki Utsuri) markings. They are bold, graphic fish with a striking two-tone appearance. Shiro Utsuri is the most popular variety.

Asagi is one of the oldest koi varieties, believed to be an ancestor of modern koi. It features a beautiful blue-grey net (Reticulated) scale pattern on the back, with red (Hi) on the belly, cheeks, and fin joints. A serene, natural-looking fish.

Shusui is the Doitsu (German-scaled) version of Asagi, created in 1910 by crossing Asagi with Doitsu carp. It lacks the reticulated scales and instead has a row of mirror scales along the dorsal line. The back is a serene pale blue with vibrant red on the sides and belly.

Bekko ('tortoiseshell') features a solid white (Shiro Bekko), red (Aka Bekko), or yellow (Ki Bekko) base with black Sumi markings. Unlike Utsuri, Bekko has no Sumi on the head. They are clean, elegant fish often described as simplified versions of Gosanke.

Tancho is named after the Tancho crane, Japan's national bird, which has a red spot on its head. A true Tancho has a pure white body with a single, perfectly round red spot (Hi) on the head — and nothing else. This is the epitome of minimalist Japanese aesthetics in koi keeping.

Ogon means 'gold' in Japanese. These single-coloured metallic koi are among the most popular for beginners due to their hardy nature and striking appearance. Varieties include Yamabuki Ogon (yellow-gold), Platinum Ogon (silver-white), and Orenji Ogon (orange).

Butterfly Koi (also called Dragon Carp or Longfin Koi) are distinguished by their long, flowing fins that trail elegantly in the water. They were developed in the 1980s by crossing traditional Nishikigoi with Indonesian long-finned carp. They can display any of the classic koi patterns.

Kumonryu means 'Nine-crested Dragon' — a name reflecting its fluid, dragon-like appearance. This Doitsu (scaleless) koi has a black and white pattern that is famously unstable, changing dramatically with water temperature and season. No two sightings of the same fish look identical over time.

Goshiki means 'five colours' — a stunning koi that displays white, red, black, light blue, and dark blue in its intricate pattern. It looks like a Kohaku wearing a net of dark scales. The blue reticulation over the Hi and Shiro creates a marbled, jewel-like appearance.