Types of Koi - A Description of Common Koi Varieties

Koi (Cyprinus carpio), “Nishikigoi” in Japanese, which means “brocaded carp.” Koi can live for centuries. A scarlet koi named "Hanako" (c. 1751 – 1977), was 226 years old when she died. In 1966, one of her scales was removed and scientifically examined to verify her age.

“Koi” in Japanese means “carp” but in English, the word has come to mean the entire category of these beautiful fish. The bloodline of pedigree koi can make them very expensive. There are several classes or types of koi, with koi varieties as subsets of these classes.

Following are comments about the most highly prized specimen of a few types of koi.

Kohaku: White and red. The white is unblemished, the red markings are well-defined covering approximately half of the body.

Showa Sanshoku: White, red and black markings, with the black markings covering a large part of the body, including the head.

Utsurimono: Black based, with white, red or yellow markings. The black wraps around the body.
Varieties:
Shiro Utsuri : Black based with white markings.
Hi Utsuri : Black based with red markings.
Ki Utsuri : Black based with yellow markings.

Bekko: White, red or yellow, with balanced black patches, but no black on the head.
Varieties:
Shiro Bekko : White based.
Aka Bekko : Red based.
Ki Bekko: Yellow based.

Sanke: White with large red markings, smaller black markings, but no black on the head.

Asagi: Gray or blue above the lateral line and red or orange below, with a delicate pattern of colored scales symmetrically along its back.

Shusui: Blue or gray head, red on jaws and below the lateral line and fins. The scales on the dorsal and lateral lines are darker blue.

Koromo: White and red, with a well-defined scale pattern in the red areas.

Tancho Kohaku: A white koi with a red round patch on the top of the head.

Kanoko-goi: White with red and black spots.
Varieties:
Karasugoi: Entirely black.
Ki-goi: Entirely deep golden yellow.

Hikarimuji: Shiny koi with no markings.
Varieties:
Yamabuki Ogon: Pure yellow, metallic sheen on entire body.
Platinum Ogon: Shining platinum color.
Orange Ogon: Orange sheen.
Kin Matsuba: Meaning “golden pine needles,” for glittering scales, which appear like raised markings.
Gin Matsuba: Meaning “silvery pine needles,” for glittering scales on the platinum ground which look like raised markings.

The Price of Koi:
Non-pedigree Koi can sell for as little as $5 in big box retailers (you get what you pay for), while pedigree koi have reportedly sold for 100 million yen (1.2 million dollars).

Realistically, a small, 6”-7” pedigree koi will sell for around $60, an 8”-10” pedigree koi will begin at about $150, but will often be sold for $300 and above range. Prices go up exponentially depending on the features of the individual koi, namely, its size and beauty, more than which class or type of koi it is.

A major factor regarding the increase in value of a mature koi is that all types of koi are born drab and unremarkable. Their markings develop and change over time.