Basic varieties | Japanese Koi Fish Exporter

	e-KOI WORLD - Charms of beautiful Nishikigoi - Basic Varieties

The koi having red markings on a white body are called Kohaku. This is the most typical variety of Nishikigoi. A lot of Kohaku have won at various shows. The value of Kohaku varies according to the qualities of red markings (Hi). The Kohaku variety is categorized into 18 types.

The Taisho Sanshoku have red markings and black spots on white skin. The contrast between the colors red and black is very important. It is preferred to not have the two colors overlap and for them to be arranged symmetrically. A small number of Sumi markings, round black spots, make the fish look more elegant.
Taisho Sanshoku is usually called Sanke, and is as popular as Kohaku.
The Taisho Sanshoku variety is categorized into 6 types.

The Showa Sanshoku have red and white patterns with large black skin. They also have black joint spots on the pectoral fins. If the white pattern accounts for about 20 percent it is enough, as the manners of its appearance decide the value of the fish. The Showa Sanshoku is usually called Showa, and is categorized into more than 10 types.
Kohaku, Sanke and Showa are called the Big Three (Gosanke).

	Koi having a single color such as red, yellow, or white on black skin are called Utsurimono. They also have black joint spots on the pectoral fins. Utsurimono are categorized into 4 types of Utsurimono, including Doitsu-goi lineage.

The Bekko are Taisho Sanshoku lineage koi. They have black spots scattered on a solid white, red or yellow base. Bekko are categorized into 4 types, including Doitsu-goi lineage.

	Asagi is said to be one of the original varieties of Nishikigoi. Asagi have a blue back and scales with a dark blue center, shading into light blue towards the edges. Asagi is fractionated into 5 kinds.

Shusui is a hybrid between Asagi and Doitsu-goi. They have clear blue scales along the dorsal ridge. Shusui are categorized into 4 types.

	The Koromo have blue-bordered scales on the Hi patches. Koromo with neatly aligned large area of blue-edged scales are highly valued. Koromo are categorized into 5 types.

Koi that cannot be categorized into one of the 13 main varieties are called Kawarimono (unique koi). Karasugoi (crow carp), Chagoi (brown carp), Midorigoi (green carp), Matsuba (pine needle), Ochibashigure and Kikokuryu belong to this group. Kawarimono are categorized into 24 types.

	Doitsu have larger scales only along the dorsal ridge and lateral lines.

Goshiki literally means five colors. Therefore, the fish having five colors of white, red, black, blue and dark blues were called Goshiki. Today, however, the fish having red Hi markings and a blue spotted pattern are called Goshiki.

	Ogon are also called Hikari Mujimono. Koi with a golden sheen are Ogon. Ogon are categorized into 17 types, such as Platinum Ogon, Orange Ogon and Hi Ogon.

The base of the Kumonryu's body is black. It is a kind of Doitsu (a name originating from a pattern of shower clouds because it appears as if black clouds are gushing out of the fish body).

	The Hikari Moyomono are divided into two categories; koi with colored patterns over a metallic base, except for the Hikari Utsurimono, and the koi in two metallic colors (Hariwake). Hikari Moyomono are categorized into more than 14 types. This variety is the most popular overseas next to the Big Three (Gosanke).

Utsurimono with a beautiful shine are called Hikari Utsurimono. This variety is categorized into 4 types.

	Koi with sparkled scales are called Kin-Gin-Rin. This variety is categorized into more than 5 types.

Koi with a single head Hi patch are called Tancho. Tancho with the head Hi spreading wide between the eyes and between the nose and the shoulder line are highly ranked. This variety is categorized into 3 types.

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e-KOI WORLD - Charms of beautiful Nishikigoi - Basic Varieties