Varieties - a little koi lore
The koi is the national fish of the Japanese. Several hundred years ago, farmers in the Yamakoshi area discovered a red carp swimming in a kingdom among many other black carp, which the farmers bred to secure their food. Through selective breeding in all the years that followed, the breeders succeeded in producing the 100 or so named varieties of koi that we know today. Koi can reach a length of up to one metre (in our European climate up to 70 cm). A life expectancy of 60 years is not unusual. Their relationship to the carp can be seen in the barbels of the upper lip. The development of koi breeding in Japan is the reason why the language of the Nigishigoi is Japanese worldwide. All breeds, the different colours, shapes and varieties are all named in Japanese.
Showa Sanshoku
The Showa shows white and red markings on a pitch black ground. The appreciation of the Showa bred in the thirties observes in particular the strength of the black body colouration and the interesting interweaving of white and red spots. Showas with a relatively higher proportion of white markings compared to the sumi (black) are modern breedings. These are called Kindai Showa.
Taisho Sanke
At the beginning of the 19th century a Variant of the Kohakuwhich, in addition to the red spots on a white background, also has a black (sumi) pattern. At Taisho Sanke it does not matter whether the sumi drawing consists of expressive, bold black areas or of small elegant spots, what is important is the depth of the black, which can appear as if lacquered.
Kohaku
It is said that Koi keeping begins and ends with the Kohaku. The red markings on a white background form an exquisite contrast. The appreciation of the Kohaku is based on the intensity of the beni (red) of the pattern as well as its edge sharpness and the snow-white body.
Tancho
The name Tancho was originally reserved for those Kohaku with a completely white body and only a single spot on the middle of the head. The tancho ko haku is particularly popular with the Japanese because it is reminiscent of their national flag - red sun on a white field.
Kujaku
The Kujaku is a metallic-coloured or Ogon Koi with the typical net pattern of the Asagi on the back. In addition, the pattern of a golden, yellow, orange or red Kohaku can be seen. It is the result of crossing Goshiki and Hikarimuji. Its full name is Kujaku Ogon. The intensive breeding of this breed has led to the Kujaku being judged in its own category at some Kio shows.
Goshiki
The literal translation of Goshiki means "five-coloured" and is obviously due to the red, black and white of the Sanke as well as the two shades of blue of the Asagi, which can be discovered in this cross on the"original Goshiki". Later, all Koi were named Goshiki, whose white body is covered with the typical Asagi pine cone pattern and also has the Kohaku markings. Goshinki Sanke is the name given to fish whose Goshiki pattern also contains the black parts of the Sanke.
Kumonryu
The Kumonryu is a Doitsu koi with a pitch black pattern. The black pattern is unstable. It reacts to external influences such as the temperature of the water in which it disappears and returns in a different form. The name of the Kumonryu refers to the legendary figure of the dragon Ryu, who transforms into a cloud and storms along the sky. It is said that the Kumonryu is a cross between the Shusui and the Matsukawa Bakke.
Goromo
Literally translated, Goromo means "clothed". The Goromo is a cross between Asagi and Kohaku. The difference to the Goshiki is that besides the pure white body colouring, the pine cone pattern of the Asagi is only found in the red areas. The Goromo with a blue cone pattern is called Ai Goromo. Slightly violet-coloured goromo are called budo goromo.
Kinginrin
The name Kinginrin is attributed to the metallic scale or diamond pattern effect, where light is reflected as if by small silver or gold mirrors. Most often referred to simply as ginrin, this variation is found in almost all designated breeds such as ginrin Kohaku, ginrin Showa, ginrin Sanke and ginrin Bekko.
Doitsu
The doitsu (the German carp) either has no scales at all (referred to as a leather carp) or they have a row of large scales along the latal and dorsal lines and are then referred to as mirror carp. Doitsus are found in almost every breed described. For example, there are Doitsu Kohaku, Doitsu Sanke, Doitsu Yamato Nishiki and the Doitsu Hariwake.
Bekko
The Bekko is characterised by a stepping-stone-like arrangement of black spots on its back. Three colour varieties exist: Ako (red), Shiro (white) and Ki (yellow).
Kawarigoi
Formerly called Kawarimono, Kawarigoi are Koi that were once discovered and also named, but cannot be included in the other breeds. There are many interesting variations within this group.
Shusui
A cross between the Doitsu and the Asagi, the Shusui was one of the first Doitsu variants of the Nishiki Koi. The Shusui has a broad line of dark blue scales along the back and, similar to the Asagi, red or orange coloured body sides. If the back of the Shusiu is also coloured red, it is called Hi Shusui.
Asagi
The Asagi is one of the oldest variations of the Nishiki Koi and served as the basic form for many sub-groupings. Its back is covered with a net-like scale pattern in different shades of blue. The light blue head should be pure and without markings. The base of the fins is dark red or orange.
Hikarimoyo
This category includes all metallic shining Koi that are neither of the Hakarimuji (Ogon) nor the Hikari Utsuri breed. Kohakus whose bodies are covered with a shiny metallic pattern are called Sakura Ogon. The metallic yellow and white of the Hariwake like those of the Doitsu (German), the Kikusui and the Doitsi Hariwake is very popular.
Hakarimuji
The Hakarimuji, also known as Ogon, includes a number of brightly coloured, metallic appearing varieties with Yamabuki (yellow), Purachina (platinum), Orenji (orange), Nezu (grey) and the smoky gold coloured Mukasi Ogon. Breeders have an almost endless number of new varieties when crossing the Hikarimuji with other breeds. Included in this group are koi with the characteristic pine cone pattern, also called mastuba.
Hikari Utsuri
The Hikari Utsuris are the result of crossing Showa or Utsurimono with Hakarimuji (Ogon) in order to achieve the effect of a geiezchneten Koi with a metallic sheen. The Showa became a Kin Showa, the Shiro a Gin Shiro and the Hi or Ki Utsuri a Kinki Utsuri. At present, only these three variants exist.
Utsurimono
Literally translated, Utsurimono means "reflections" or the "reflective ones". This category consists of three colour variants. In first place is the Shiro Utsuri. Shiro means white. The second is the Hi Utsuri (fire, red) and the third and most difficult to define is the Ki Utsuri (yellow). All three variants are characterised by a black body colouring on which the respective colour surfaces seem to be reflected like reflections.
The future of Koi breeding
Unique Koi are those Koi individuals that are neither officially named nor reproducible in their pattern. Perhaps they are an indication of the future that still lies ahead for Koi breeding.