Beyond being show fish, Koi represent individual personalities that developed through years of growth. Two hundred-plus years of breeding by dedicated koi keepers established a classification and lineage for these fish.
This visual guide sorts Nishikigoi into simple groups. It shows you why certain fish cost so much, while other fish is entry-level pets. But most important (and where one should of begin) is an understanding of what we call the Gosanke or big three. These are Showa, Sanke and Kohaku and represent standard by which quality is judged in the hobby. Once you can spot the three of those you will feel comfortabley shopping at any pond shop and identifying what is good.
How to Choose Your Koi Fish
Kohaku has only red and white markings. It’s tough to achieve and requires sharp contrast. Next comes Sanke which introduces black spots and give the fish a nice balance between three colors. Finally there is Showa that features black as the primary background coloring. Look at the head markings. Showa have some black on their face. If the fish has black markings on its face, it is likely a Showa. No black? Then it’s probably a Sanke and the head would still be red or white. That difference are where the hobbyist moves beyond casual observer to the serious breeder.
Aside from the standards, there are other aesthetic reasons to go for metallics versus solids. Hikari produces several metallic varieties. These include the Platinum Ogon, which has a cool silver look, and the Yamabuki Ogon, which has a shiny bright gold color (see infographic). Beauty comes not in complexity of pattern, but in shimmer. For ponds where catching the sun and reflecting it back at you is important, then going metallic should be the way to go.
There are also solid colors, such as the deep red Benigoi or the muted brownish tea of the Chagoi. Not many collectors pay attention to them, yet they gets big and make nice pets. They aren’t quite as hesitant about approaching your hand as their patterned kind so they’re gentle giants in the pond.
Another category layer that many newbies miss is scale type. There are basically 3 primary types of Koi by scale, Ginrin, Wagoi, and Doitsu. Wagoi are what most people think of when they hear Koi; they are fully scaled, and virtually all photos shows this type of fish. Doitsu (pronounced Dee-Tsoo) are the German scaleless types with mirror like plates limited to their backs only. Since there’s nothing breaking up the pigmentation, colors look clean and deeper. And finally, Ginrin have an additional diamond like glitter on the edges of their scales, making them shimmer when swimming. These terms will help you know what the fish require for care and why Doitsu tend to be more hardy in colder waters different than others due to their skin structure. It will also give you some idea of price ranges.
Keeping koi does require some infrastructure and patience. It’s not something where you throw a couple into a shallow garden and hope for the best. In addition to the temperature range noted on the chart (65-75 degrees F), they also likes a consistent pH. And then there are space and filtration. Because koi create a lot of waste for their size, a good filtration system is essential. Don’t scrimp here or you’ll be spending more time clearing up cloudy water than admiring it. Additionally, if you add any fish, quarantine them first! Bringing home another without quarantining runs the risk of introducing parasites from outside world, which isn’t good for your other koi.
When you’re finally ready to select your first koi, begin with what catches your eye; but respect the biology behind it. Whether it’s the dramatic contrast of a Shiro Utsuri or the single red spot of a Tancho, each variety is a story resulting from selective breeding. You want to create not just an aquatic collection, but a living landscape that will evolve over decades.
Begin with good filtration and maintain clear water. Then witness how your selection of koi becomes more than a purchase; it becomes a family member who welcomes you at the pond’s edge.
