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Koi Varieties
Koi come in many different colors and patterns, the more common colors are white, black, red, yellow, blue, and cream.
While there are limitless possible variations of color and pattern, breeders have named a number of specific categories of Koi. The most popular category is called Gosanke, which is made up of the Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku, and Showa Sanshoku varieties, all pictured below with many of the other major named varieties.
Kohaku
Kohaku are white bodied Koi with red markings, although often the color is more orange than red. Ideally the color of the body should be pure white, while the tone of red should be the same color as the Japanese flag. The colorations should be well defined with sharp edges and obvious distinction between the red and white body colors that do not bleed or fade into each other.
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Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke)
The Taisho Sanshoku is a relatively new variety of koi which came from the Kohaku. The name "Sanshoku" means 3 colors in Japanese for the red, white and black patterns. As with the Kohaku, pure, bright color tones and sharp color edges that do not bleed are ideal.
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Showa Sanshoku (Showa)
Showa Sanshoku has a red and white pattern on a black base. A good Showa Sanshoku will have a nice balance of color with a sharp edge between the patterns.
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Tancho
Any koi with the only red being in a circle on its forehead. The fish can be a Tancho Showa, Tancho Sanke, or even Tancho Goshiki
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Asagi
The asagi is covered in a net-like blue or navy reticulated scale pattern on a base of deep orange or red.
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Shusui
The Shusui is a partially scaled version of the Asagi. They have a bold line of scales on the back with orange or red belly.
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Bekko
a white, red, or yellow-skinned Koi with a black pattern
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Utsurimono
a black Koi with a red, white, or yellow pattern
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Goshiki
a mostly black Koi with red, white, brown, and blue accents
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Ogon
a Koi that is one solid color, can be regular or metallic; known colors - red, orange, platinum (pictured), yellow and cream
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Kumonryu
The Kumonryu has a jet black pattern on a white background. They have no scales, and their pattern actually changes with variations in water temperature and season.
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Koromo
Koromo are Koi with a white base and red patterns with areas of neatly aligned blue-edged scale reticulation showing only in the red patterned areas.
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Kin Gin Rin
a Koi with shiny scales. The name translates into English as "Gold Silver Scales" There are also Gin Rin versions of almost any other type of koi.
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