Koi Carp Fish Types and Interesting Facts
Discover fascinating facts about koi carp fish, including their origins, types, colours, and patterns that make them a favourite among fish enthusiasts.
Koi are far more fascinating than their reputation as "colourful pond fish" suggests. Beyond the beautiful colors that first catch your eye, each koi variety tells a unique story through distinct patterns, growth characteristics, and personalities.
Did you know that the most expensive koi ever sold fetched over $1.8 million (approx. ₹15 crore) at auction?
But that's just one of the many interesting facts about koi carps. If you enjoy learning about aquatic life and have a special fondness for these magnificent fish which pushed you to learn more deeply about them, you are in the right place.
Today, we will focus on thirty popular as well as lesser-known koi varieties. Learn about each variety's one-of-a-kind attributes as well as general koi carp facts every curious mind should be aware of.
Koi carp are ornamental freshwater fish bred for their colours, scale patterns, and body shape. Scientifically known as Cyprinus rubrofuscus, they are a domesticated variety of the Amur carp, a species native to East Asia.
Unlike their wild relatives, koi are selectively bred for appearance and temperament rather than survival traits.
They originated in China but were popularised in Japan, where koi keeping became an art form over the centuries. Today, Japan remains the global centre for high-quality koi breeding.
While they were once limited to nobility and temple ponds, koi have now become a common feature in home gardens, hotels, and large public water features across the world, including in India, where interest is steadily growing.
It’s easy to assume all koi are just red, white, or gold fish with different markings. But anyone who’s spent some time around a koi pond knows that’s far from true. There are hundreds of recognised varieties, each with its own history, colour rules, and behavioural quirks.
Today, we will talk about the 30 major koi types and what sets them apart.
Let’s break them down one by one.
Kohaku represents the classic koi appearance with white base colour and red markings. This variety forms the foundation of koi appreciation and judging standards. Most serious koi aficionados start with Kohaku to learn proper fish evaluation.
Taisho Sanke features a white base colour with red and black markings in specific arrangements. The black spots should appear only on the white areas, never on red patches. This variety requires more technical knowledge to evaluate properly.
Showa Sanshoku differs from Sanke by having black as the base colour with red and white markings. Black extends into the head area and appears throughout the body pattern.
This variety often gets confused with Sanke by beginners. The dramatic contrast makes high-quality Showa quite striking.
Asagi features blue-grey scales arranged in neat rows across the back and sides. Shusui represents the scaleless version of Asagi with similar colour patterns. These types require specific water conditions to maintain proper colour development.
Ogon varieties display solid metallic colours ranging from gold to silver and platinum. The metallic sheen creates a mirror-like appearance that catches light beautifully. These koi often appear more active compared to other varieties.
Chagoi stands out more for behaviour than appearance, earning a reputation as the most approachable koi variety. These fish inherit strong feeding instincts from their wild carp ancestry, making them eager to interact with owners.
Their friendly nature often encourages other pond fish to become more social. The brown colouration ranges from light golden tones to deep chocolate shades.
Bekko varieties feature solid base colours decorated with black markings across the back area. The black spots should appear above the lateral line in orderly patterns resembling stepping stones. White-based Bekko remains most common, though red and yellow variations exist.
Kumonryu presents dramatic black and white patterns that shift with environmental conditions. The name translates to "nine-crested dragon," reflecting their powerful appearance. These scaleless koi develop tuxedo-like markings that wrap around their bodies in striking arrangements.
Goshiki combines Kohaku patterns with Asagi-style netting, creating intricate five-colour combinations. The base white and red colours get overlaid with blue, black, and grey reticulation patterns. Their net-like scaling creates depth and complexity in the overall appearance.
Shiro Utsuri displays alternating black and white markings reminiscent of chessboard squares. The black base colour gets interrupted by white patches in balanced arrangements. Quality specimens show clear definition between colours without muddy transitions.
Ghost Koi represent crosses between ornamental koi and wild carp, creating hardy fish with unique characteristics. Dark scaling along the back contrasts with lighter body colours and metallic sheens. These fish combine koi beauty with wild carp resilience and feeding behaviour.
Doitsu koi are instantly recognisable due to their smooth, scaleless bodies or distinct rows of large mirror-like scales along the dorsal line.
Unlike traditional koi with fine overlapping scales, Doitsu varieties offer a cleaner visual impression. The sharp pattern edges and reflective skin give them a more striking appearance in the water.
Gin Rin koi are known for their shimmering scales that reflect light in a way that resembles glitter or diamonds. This effect occurs in many koi varieties, adding sparkle to both solid-coloured and patterned types. The shine makes them especially noticeable in outdoor ponds with natural lighting.
Kin Ki Utsuri combines the dramatic black base of Utsuri koi with bold yellow patterns and a metallic finish. It’s a flashy fish that stands out instantly, both for its colours and high shine. Compared to more common Utsuri types, this one has a distinctly warmer tone.
Hi Utsuri koi feature fiery red-orange patterns over a deep black base, creating a bold contrast. The colour distribution should be well-balanced across the body. This variety is part of the Utsurimono group and tends to develop richer tones as it matures.
Ki Utsuri is one of the rarest Utsurimono koi, displaying yellow patterns on a black foundation. It’s not as commonly found in hobbyist ponds, but highly valued for its unique warmth and balance when properly bred. The difference between Kin Ki Utsuri and Ki Utsuri is that the former has a metallic sheen to it, which gives it a gold-like shine. Ki Utsuri has a bright yellow appearance.
Benigoi are fully red or orange koi with no other markings. While simple in appearance, their strong body structure and confident swimming style make them highly desirable. These koi often grow to large sizes and become prominent figures in any pond.
Platinum Ogon is the metallic white variation of the Ogon koi group. Its pure, glossy appearance and uniform shine make it a favourite among those who appreciate minimalistic beauty in koi. Even small flaws are easily noticed, making precision in breeding essential.
Kikokuryu takes the shifting patterns of Kumonryu and adds a metallic layer. This variety often shows silver base tones with black patches and occasional red highlights. Their patterns tend to evolve with age and seasonal changes, making them an interesting variety to watch.
Matsuba koi combine a single-colour body with a distinct net-like pattern formed by black centres in each scale. The effect is most visible on lighter base colours and gives a textured look without adding extra hues. Despite the simplicity, well-bred Matsuba can stand out dramatically in a group pond.
Butterfly koi are known for their long, flowing fins that resemble the wings of a butterfly. They’re not a colour variety but a fin type, developed by crossing traditional koi with wild Indonesian long-finned carp. Their graceful swimming style and trailing fins add movement and charm to any pond.
Shusui koi look similar to Asagi but are scaleless on the sides, with one line of mirror scales along the dorsal ridge. Their blue-grey backs contrast with red or orange markings along the belly and fins, making the pattern feel more fluid.
Midorigoi stands out as one of the few koi with solid green colouring. It’s created from breeding Ogon with Shusui lines. This variety is rarely seen and brings a subtle elegance to ponds where other koi varieties dominate with bright patterns.
Ochiba Shigure means “fallen leaves on water,” and the fish lives up to the name with soft, earthy patches over a grey base. These koi are known for their gentle appearance and steady behaviour, often serving as calm companions in community ponds.
Budo Goromo features dark, grape-like clusters over a white or light base, offering a layered appearance. The term “Budo” translates to “grape,” which reflects the shape and arrangement of its overlaid colours.
Ai Goromo is a clean white koi with red markings that are subtly edged in blue. The effect is refined and elegant, becoming more pronounced as the fish matures. It’s often used to judge refinement and pattern control in koi competitions.
Yamabuki Ogon is one of the most recognisable koi thanks to its bright, lemon-yellow metallic skin. Its vivid colour and shiny surface make it highly visible in all types of ponds, regardless of lighting or depth.
Kin Showa is a metallic version of the traditional Showa koi, developed by introducing Ogon bloodlines into the Showa gene pool. It features a black base with red and white patterns, all enhanced by a reflective metallic sheen. This shimmering finish sets it apart from the standard Showa, especially under sunlight.
Aka Hajiro koi are solid red fish with distinct white tips on their pectoral fins, tail, and sometimes the nose. The contrast adds elegance to an otherwise simple body, creating a calm but refined look. They are less common but quietly appreciated by serious hobbyists for their understated beauty.
Yatsushiro koi are named for the four white points, typically the pectoral fins, tail fin, and head, set against a black body. This contrast gives them a sharp, minimal appearance that feels deliberate rather than flashy. They're not commonly found, but well-formed specimens can look striking in still water.
Up next, let’s take a look at some of the most fascinating koi carp facts every pond-keeper or fish enthusiast should know.
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