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