| Though very often an expensive and vexing
| |
| | unusual fins or scale patterns. Koi
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| hobby, keeping koi is also very relaxing,
| |
| | purists do not consider these actual koi.
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| beautiful, enviable and the hobby of a
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| | There were once only a few colours, but
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| lifetime. Many people who invest in koi
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| | with the pace of breeding development
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| find they catch a fever of excitement
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| | (and the financial incentive to do so)
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| that leads them to keep trying to find
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| | several new colours have emerged in the
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| that perfect fish.
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| | last 30 years with the injection of new
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| Not surprisingly fanciers range from the
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| | material. These colours are arranged in
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| most simple of backyard ponds to tens of
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| | in a seemingly infinite variety of
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| thousands of litre ponds with hundreds of
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| | combinations.
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| fish and breeding programs. The fact
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| | Markings are judged from above in
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| that very well conforming specimens can
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| | special, bright blue pools that set off
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| fetch thousands and thousands of dollars
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| | the bright, metallic colours. Outside of
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| is not surprising.
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| | Japan the colours are known by their
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| For the backyard koi keeper, however,
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| | names in Japanese as well as the local
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| simply having a good reason to have a
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| | language, since so much of the literature
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| waterfall might be enough. There is no
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| | is translated from the original Japanese.
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| right or wrong reason, only the desire of
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| | For instance, colours include:
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| all to have healthy and happy fish.
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| | Ai - blue Aka / Hi red, though actually
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| There are over a hundred different types
| |
| | a rather dark orange that can vary
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| of koi registered for show in
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| | somewhat Asagi - light blue (a greyish
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| professional breeder and amateur clubs
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| | silvery blue) Ki - non-metallic yellow
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| throughout Japan and the world, though
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| | Orengi - orange Shiro - white Sumi - dark
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| new varieties are still largely shown in
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| | black (sometimes called "india ink")
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| Japan.
| |
| | They tend to have something of a metallic
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| Koi may be generally grouped according to
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| | sheen unless otherwise noted. Generally
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| and in combinations of:skin colour skin
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| | these distinctions apply across the board
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| pattern scale pattern
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| | and describe both underlying and overlaid
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| Whichever you consider most important or
| |
| | colours. Additionally, there are a few
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| if you have your heart set on a very
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| | distinct colour patterns that have
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| particular fish, there is one for every
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| | special names:
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| taste. In more than 16 categories, now,
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| | Kohaku - red and white only Ogon - one
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| there are over a hundred types of koi and
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| | colour only Sanshoku - any three colours
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| an infinity of variety in each type.
| |
| | regardless of the shape of the coloured
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| True koi are always judged from from
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| | areas
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| above, and their ponds are designed to
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| | Just about any koi can be classified into
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| facilitate this. From this angle, one
| |
| | one of the many types. However, most
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| judges the conformity and harmony of the
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| | fish you'll be looking at as a first time
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| design depending upon which type of koi
| |
| | koi buyer fall into a few basic
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| you're looking at. That said, some
| |
| | categories. Many of the fish sold in the
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| characteristics are considered from the
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| | US and EU are those who've been rejected
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| side such as the markings on the eyes and
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| | from breeding programs that are in
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| and cheeks.
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| | continual pursuit of the perfect koi.
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| On the other hand, many people who keep
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| | Just because it doesn't conform to the
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| koi hybrids choose to view them from the
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| | accepted standard of show beauty doesn't
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| side as well, especially those with
| |
| | mean they are not unique and beautiful.
|
