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