Koi Colors

While some owners may site intelligence or vitality as reasons for owning Koi the truth is the vibrant colors are what attract breeders, competitors and lay people to purchase and care for their koi.  The appeal of having an exotic, vivid fish gracing their backyard has enticed countless people to build ponds and purchase koi.  The clear indication of a koi’s health through the clarity of its color helps owners to take good care of their koi.  And, of course, color and pattern are the most obvious and important factors in any koi competition.

So, let’s take a look at the colors of koi.  The breeders and experts have not left it to us to describe each fish we see.  They have carefully categorized these impressive fish using color, pattern and specific traits such as scalation.  New varieties are being developed currently and the possibilities seem to be limitless.  We will look at a large number of known categories, examining their names, colors and common traits.

  

Kohako Koi
The Kohako Koi was the first ornamental variety established in Japan.  This was in the late 19^th century.  The name Kohako means “red and white” which is just what these fish are.  They are primarily white with red or orange markings on top.  

Taishō Sanshoku (or Taisho Sanke) Koi

Americans often refer to these fish as simply “Sanke” Koi.  Like the Kohaku they are white and red or orange but they also exhibit small black markings.

Hikari Koi
Hikari koi are special in that their scales present a metallic sheen.  There are further classified into two groups; those which are all one color and all others (exhibiting more than one color and/or pattern).

Shōwa Sanshoku Koi
Americans often refer to this as simply Showa.  Like the Sanke Koi this fish’s colors are white, black and red.  The difference is that the Showa Koi is black with red and white markings.

Asagi Koi
The Japanese word Asagi means “pale, greenish blue”.  These fish are grey blue color on top and can be red, yellow or cream on the cheeks and below the lateral line.

Shūsui Koi

Translated “Autumn Water" the Shusui is very similar to the Asagi except that it has no scales.

Bekko Koi
Bekko Koi can be red, yellow or white and have black spotting.    

Ogon Koi

Ogon koi are a single, solid color all over their body.  There are gold, platinum, red, orange, yellow and cream (although rare) Ogon.

Ochiba Koi

This is a blue koi with orange or red markings.

Tancho Koi

There are several varieties of Tancho Koi: Tancho Goshiki, Tancho Showa and Tancho Sanke.  The defining factor is a red splotch on top of the fish’s head.

The Chagoi Koi

Chagoi means “tea-colored” and these fish range in hue from a pale olive color to brown or a coppery color.   They have recently been seen in a subtle orange as well.  These fish are known to be gentle and are considered a sign of good luck among koi enthusiasts.

Utsurimono Koi

The Utsurimono is black and has red, yellow or white markings.

Kinginrin Koi

Often called the “Ginrin” these koi have scales that reflect light in a way that makes them appear to sparkle.  This is, of course, an attractive trait and we see Ginrin forms of almost every variety of koi.

Kawarimono Koi

This term basically covers koi that cannot be placed in any other category.  New varieties of koi are also put in this category for competition purposes.

Kumonryū Koi

This is a black fish with white markings that seem to curl.   Kumonryū can change color with the seasons.

Kikokuryu Koi

 Very similar to the Kumonryú but with a metallic appearance.

Kin-Kikokuryú Koi

Very similar to the Kikokuryu but with a Kohaku style pattern.  There are also several sub-varieties. 

The Ochiba Koi

Ochiba means “fallen leaves”.  The yellow, bronze or copper markings on this blue/gray fish resemble leaves.

Koromo Koi

The Koromo koi is white with a red pattern on top much like the Kohaku.  The difference is the pattern (and only the pattern) has blue or black edge scales.

Hikari-moyomono koi

These koi are set apart by their metallic appearance.  They either have a metallic base with colored markings or are two metallic colors.

Ghost koi 

Ghost koi are bred from Ogon and wild carp and have metallic scales.  Commonly considered not to be Nishikigoi.

Butterfly koi

Butterfly koi are famous for their long flowing fins.  They can be various colors and are a popular choice although many do not consider them to be Nishikigoi.

Doitsu-goi

Doitsu refers to the scales of the koi.  Doitsu koi were bred from various koi and “scaleless” German carp.  This produced a fish that has patterns of scales rather than scales all over their body. 

So now you know all about the colors of koi (well, honestly we are just scratching the surface). Koi are a fascinating animal that come in such a large variety of colors and patterns, who wouldn’t want a pond full of them?