Japanese Koi
Japanese Koi come in many unique varieties, each defined by distinct colors, patterns, scale types, and metallic qualities. This page is designed to help koi enthusiasts learn to identify and appreciate the characteristics that make each variety special.
The examples below feature some of the most popular and recognizable koi varieties and patterns. While not a complete list of all koi types, they provide a great introduction to the diversity and beauty found within the world of Nishikigoi. Visit our Koi Nursery to see the various types we commonly have available.
Kohaku
Kohaku
Identifier: White body with bold red (hi) markings only; no black coloration.
Description:
One of the oldest and most popular koi varieties, prized for its clean white base and vibrant red patterns. Simplicity, balance, and sharp pattern edges define a quality Kohaku.
Doitsu Kohaku
Identifier: Scaleless or semi-scaleless white body with bold red (hi) markings; may feature a single row of mirror scales along the dorsal line and lateral sides.
Description:
The Doitsu Kohaku combines the classic beauty of a Kohaku with the unique smooth-skinned appearance of German-scaled koi. Its clean skin and bold pattern edges create a striking, modern look.
Ginrin Kohaku
Identifier: Traditional Kohaku pattern enhanced by sparkling diamond-like Ginrin scales that reflect light across the body.
Description:
Ginrin Kohaku are celebrated for their brilliant glittering scales that add depth and sparkle to the classic red-and-white Kohaku pattern. Premium examples display strong, even Ginrin reflection combined with vibrant red coloration and clean white skin.
Tancho Kohaku
Identifier: Solid white body with a single red circular marking on the head.
Description:
Named after the Japanese Tancho crane, this elegant variety is admired for its striking simplicity. The ideal Tancho displays a perfectly centered, round red head marking.
Sanke
Taisho Sanshoku
Sanke
Identifier: White body with red (hi) and black (sumi) markings; note that black generally does not appear on the head for the Sanke.
Description:
One of the prestigious Gosanke varieties, Sanke blends the clean elegance of a Kohaku with carefully placed black accents. The ideal Sanke showcases balanced red and black patterns over a bright white base.
Doitsu Sanke
Identifier: Scaleless or semi-scaleless white body with red (hi) and black (sumi) markings; often displays a row of mirror scales along the dorsal line and sides.
Description:
Doitsu Sanke combines the traditional Sanke color pattern with the smooth-skinned appearance of German-scaled koi. The reduced scaling highlights the contrast between the white skin, red patterning, and black markings, creating a bold and modern look.
Ginrin Sanke
Identifier: White body with red (hi) and black (sumi) markings enhanced by sparkling Ginrin scales that reflect light across the body.
Description:
Ginrin Sanke adds brilliant diamond-like sparkle to the classic Sanke pattern. The combination of shimmering scales, vibrant red markings, and deep black accents creates a dazzling display in any pond.
Tancho Sanke
Identifier: White body with a single red circular Tancho marking on the head and black (sumi) markings on the body; no red markings elsewhere on the body.
Description:
Tancho Sanke combines the iconic red head spot of a Tancho with the elegant black accents of a Sanke. This variety is highly sought after for its clean, minimalist appearance and striking visual balance.
Showa
Sanshoku
Showa
Identifier: Black-based koi with red (hi) and white (shiroji) markings; black typically appears on the head and wraps around the body.
Description:
A bold and dramatic member of the Gosanke family, Showa is known for its powerful black base and striking red and white contrasts. Quality Showa display balanced color distribution and strong, flowing patterns.
Doitsu Showa
Identifier: Scaleless or semi-scaleless black-based koi with red (hi) and white (shiroji) markings; often displays a row of mirror scales along the dorsal line and sides.
Description:
Doitsu Showa combines the bold three-color pattern of a traditional Showa with the smooth-skinned appearance of German-scaled koi. The reduced scaling accentuates the contrast between the black base, vibrant red markings, and bright white areas.
Ginrin Showa
Identifier: Black-based koi with red (hi) and white (shiroji) markings enhanced by sparkling Ginrin scales that reflect light across the body.
Description:
Ginrin Showa adds brilliant diamond-like sparkle to the dramatic pattern of a traditional Showa. The combination of shimmering scales, deep black sumi, vivid red hi, and crisp white markings creates a highly striking and dynamic appearance.
Tancho Showa
Identifier: White head featuring a single red circular Tancho marking, combined with black (sumi) and white patterning throughout the body characteristic of a Showa.
Description:
Tancho Showa blends the iconic Tancho head marking with the powerful black-and-white contrast of a Showa. This rare and highly sought-after variety is valued for its balanced body pattern and distinctive red circle centered on the head.
Utsuri
Shiro Utsuri
Identifier: Black body with crisp white markings that wrap across the head, body, and fins.
Description:
Shiro Utsuri is admired for its dramatic black-and-white contrast and bold patterning. The best examples display balanced markings and bright, clean white coloration against a deep black base.
Hi Utsuri
Identifier: Black body with vibrant red-orange (hi) markings that wrap throughout the body and head.
Description:
Hi Utsuri stands out for its fiery red-orange pattern contrasted against a jet-black base. Strong examples feature deep coloration and balanced markings that create a powerful visual impact.
Ginrin Shiro Utsuri
Identifier: Shiro Utsuri pattern enhanced with sparkling Ginrin scales that produce a diamond-like reflective effect.
Description:
Ginrin Shiro Utsuri combines the striking black-and-white contrast of a traditional Shiro Utsuri with brilliant reflective scales. The shimmering Ginrin effect adds extra depth, sparkle, and visual presence in the water.
Ki Utsuri
Identifier: Black body with bright yellow (ki) markings distributed across the head, body, and fins.
Description:
Ki Utsuri is one of the rarer Utsurimono varieties and is recognized by its bold yellow-and-black color combination. Quality specimens display strong contrast, clean yellow pigmentation, and balanced pattern placement.
Ogon
Yamabuki Ogon
Identifier: Solid metallic yellow or golden-yellow body with no markings or secondary colors.
Description:
Yamabuki Ogon is one of the most recognizable metallic koi varieties, prized for its brilliant golden-yellow coloration. Its intense metallic shine and clean, uncomplicated appearance make it a favorite among hobbyists and collectors alike.
Platinum Ogon
Identifier: Solid metallic platinum-white body with no additional colors or patterns.
Description:
Platinum Ogons are admired for their pure, mirror-like metallic finish and flawless simplicity. High-quality specimens display exceptional luster, uniform coloration, and powerful body conformation.
Orenji Ogon
Identifier: Solid metallic orange body with uniform coloration and no additional markings or patterns.
Description:
Orenji Ogon are admired for their vibrant metallic orange coloration and exceptional luster. High-quality specimens display consistent color from head to tail and a bright reflective sheen that stands out in any pond.
Mizuho Ogon
Identifier: Metallic golden-orange body with a distinctive black reticulated (pinecone-like) scale pattern running along the back and dorsal area.
Description:
Mizuho Ogon combines the brilliance of a metallic Ogon with dramatic dark reticulation that creates a bold, eye-catching appearance. The contrast between the rich metallic base color and dark patterning gives this variety a unique and elegant look.
Koromo / Goshiki / Hikari Moyomono Varieties
Hariwaki
Identifier: Metallic white (platinum) body with bright yellow, gold, or orange patterning; highly reflective skin.
Description:
Hariwake are prized for their brilliant metallic sheen and vibrant color contrast. Their clean white base and luminous markings create an elegant, eye-catching appearance in any pond.
Kujaku
Identifier: Metallic white body featuring vibrant red-orange (hi) patterning overlaid with a distinctive black reticulated “pinecone” scale pattern across the back and shoulders.
Description:
Kujaku is a striking metallic koi variety known for combining brilliant reflective skin with dramatic net-like reticulation and vibrant red-orange markings.
Koromo
Identifier: Kohaku-style red patterns with blue or indigo reticulation overlaying the red scales.
Description:
Koromo combines the beauty of a Kohaku with subtle blue scale edging that creates a unique net-like appearance. As the koi matures, the reticulation often becomes more pronounced.
Goshiki
Identifier: Red Kohaku-style pattern over a blue-gray, black-reticulated body.
Description:
Goshiki means “five colors” and combines the elegance of a Kohaku with a unique net-like reticulated appearance. As they mature, the underlying coloration often deepens, creating a striking and dynamic look.
Kawarimono Koi Varieties
Chagoi
Identifier: Solid tea-brown coloration ranging from light tan to deep chocolate brown, often featuring a subtle reticulated scale pattern and large body structure.
Description:
Chagoi is one of the most popular koi varieties due to its impressive growth potential, calm temperament, and friendly personality.
Benigoi
Identifier: Solid red to orange-red body with uniform coloration and no additional markings or patterning.
Description:
Benigoi is admired for its bold, vibrant red coloration that creates a striking presence in any pond.
Soragoi
Identifier: Solid gray to blue-gray body with a clean, uniform coloration and subtle net-like scale pattern. Known for its large size potential, calm temperament, and strong growth characteristics.
Description:
Soragoi is admired for its understated beauty, featuring smooth shades of gray that resemble an overcast sky.
Karashigoi
Identifier: Solid mustard-yellow to yellow-green body with uniform coloration and no additional markings or patterning.
Description:
Karashigoi is one of the most popular jumbo-growing koi varieties, recognized by its distinctive mustard-yellow coloration and gentle temperament.
Budo Goromo
Identifier: White body with deep red (hi) patterning overlaid by dark purple, burgundy, grape-colored, or black reticulation on each red scale, creating a distinctive cluster-like appearance reminiscent of grapes.
Description:
Budo Goromo is one of the most sought-after Goromo varieties, prized for its rich grape-colored reticulation that develops over the red markings as the koi matures.
Matsubu
Identifier: Single-color koi featuring a distinctive black reticulated “pinecone” pattern centered on each scale, creating a net-like appearance across the body.
Description:
Matsuba koi are admired for their elegant simplicity and striking pinecone-like scale pattern that creates depth and texture across the body. The contrast between the base color and the dark reticulation gives these koi a refined, sophisticated appearance
Kigoi
Identifier: Solid pale yellow to creamy yellow body with distinctive red or pink eyes, a characteristic trait of this albino koi variety. Displays clean, uniform coloration with no additional markings or patterning.
Description:
Kigoi is a rare and elegant koi variety prized for its soft yellow coloration and striking red eyes, which result from its albino genetics.
Shishui Asagi
Identifier: Scaleless or semi-scaleless koi with a light blue to blue-gray body, a distinctive row of dark mirror scales running along both sides of the dorsal line, and vibrant red-orange coloration along the sides, belly, and fins.
Description:
Shusui is the Doitsu (German-scaled) version of the traditional Asagi and is one of the most recognizable koi varieties in the hobby.
Koi Images Disclaimer
*Please note: Images shown are representative examples of each variety and may not reflect koi currently available in our inventory. Contact us to inquire about current availability and the specific characteristics you are looking for.
When only the best will do!
At The Koi Net, each koi is carefully selected from some of Japan’s most respected breeders, known for producing world-class fish with exceptional genetics, coloration, and form. We evaluate every koi for health, pattern, and long-term potential, ensuring that only high-quality fish make it into our collection. Whether you’re new to koi or an experienced collector, you can trust that each selection reflects the highest standards in the industry.
Contact
Pompano Beach 33064
(954) 638-4564