A Brief History of Koi
Koi, or Nishikigoi (Cyprinus carpio), are descendents of
the common carp. In nature they are brown, but through selective
breeding by the Japanese, numerous colors and patterns were developed.
In the 17th century Chinese rice farmers began keeping carp in their
rice paddies. This practice found  its
way to Japan. The Japanese rice farmers begin to notice slight color
variations in a few of the carp and bred these "mutants"
into what eventually became what we now know as koi.
It wasn't until early in the 20th century that koi left Japan
and were raised in Europe and eventually North America.
Koi normally attain lengths of approximately 2 to 3 feet and
weight up to 35 lbs. Because of their large size, they should
only be kept in large ponds of at least 1000 gallons. Koi need
very good water quality to remain healthy. Sophisticated filtration
systems should be used to maintain this water.
Koi that have been well cared for have a life expectancy of
around 50-70 years and have been known to live to be over 200
years old.
Japanese Koi Terms Defined
Color Patterns Classified by Japanese Names
- Ai - blue
- Aka - red
- Bu - size classification
- Budo - purple
- Cha - brown
- Doitsu - German scale, these are either completely
scaleless or have rows of large scales along the dorsal and
lateral lines
- Gin - silver
- Hi - red
- Kana - male koi
- Ki - yellow
- Kin - gold
- Mena - female koi
- Midori - green
- Nezu - gray
- Orenji - orange
- Shiro - white
- Sumi - black
- Tategoi - small koi with potential
Color Patterns Classified by Japanese Names
Koi can be found in just about any combination of colors. While
the average koi keeper simply seeks out the koi that they are
most attracted to, many hobbyists seek out specific color patterns.
These many color patterns are classified by Japanese names. This
list gives some of the more notable patterns.
- Asagi - body has blue-gray reticulated scales
with a red underside and red in the pectoral fins. The head
should be an unblemished pale blue.
- Bekko - koi with red, yellow, or white background
with black spots running down the back.
- Goshiki - literally meaning five colors (white,
red, black, blue, and dark blue.) Usually a white body with
blue reticulated scales which is overlain with a pattern similar
to a kohaku or sanke.
- Hariwake - platinum body with patterns of
orange or yellow.
- Kawairmono - this is a term for recognized
patterns that do not fall under one of the major pattern types.
- Kohaku - white body with patterns of red
- Koromo - white body with blue or black pinecone
scales over red patterns
- Kumonryu - doitsu koi, white body with patterns
of black
- Matsuba - pinecone pattern over whole body
- Ogon - solid color koi
- Sanke - white body with patterns of red and
black, there can be no black on the head.
- Showa - black body with patterns of white
and red
- Shusui - doitsu koi, white body with blue
scales along dorsal line and a red underside
- Tancho - solid white body with a red circle
on the head.
Index of Fish Related Articles
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