Koi Varieties and Breeds

The most iconic koi variety — white body with red (hi) markings. Kohaku are judged on the quality of the white (which should be pure snow white) and the pattern of the red. A well-balanced, symmetrical pattern with clean edges is considered most desirable. Kohaku are often called the "king of koi" and a high-quality specimen is among the most valuable fish in the hobby.

White body with red and black markings. Think of Sanke as a Kohaku with the addition of sumi (black) patches, which should appear on the upper body and not on the head. One of the "Big Three" varieties alongside Kohaku and Showa.

Black body with red and white markings. Showa are often confused with Sanke but have a key difference — in Showa, the black (sumi) is the base color and wraps around the body including the head and fins. Young Showa can look dramatically different from adults as their sumi develops with age.

Perhaps the most elegant koi variety — a pure white body with a single circular red spot on the head, reminiscent of the Japanese crane. The spot should be perfectly circular, centered on the head, and vivid red. Tancho command premium prices when the spot is ideal.

Single-colored metallic koi available in gold (yamabuki ogon), silver (platinum ogon), and orange. Among the first metallic koi developed and remain hugely popular for their stunning reflective scales that shimmer in sunlight.

A Doitsu (scaleless or partially scaled) variety with a pale blue-grey body and a line of large mirror scales along the dorsal line. Shusui also typically display red-orange coloring on the sides and belly. The blue-grey color is unusual among koi and makes Shusui instantly recognizable.

Not a traditional Japanese variety but enormously popular in the West. Butterfly koi have dramatically long, flowing fins that trail behind them as they swim. Available in virtually every color pattern. Generally hardy and their flowing fins make them stunning pond fish.

White, red, or yellow base color with black (sumi) patches. Bekko are essentially Sanke without the red — a clean two-color fish. Shiro Bekko (white with black) is the most common. The sumi markings should be defined patches on the upper body with clean edges.