Koi Classification

It is generally thought that there are thirteen classification’s of Koi, these are dependant on the koi’s colour, markings and/or scales.Koi do not breed true so even if you bred two champion koi together out of 20,000 eggs only two will breed true to there parents, which means that other types of koi are always being found. Below is a list of some of these koi classifications, bare in mind that within each classification there are other types of koi.

Tancho

Single crowned koi with a pattern on its headPronunciation - tahn-CHOH.

Kohaku

White koi with a red patternPronunciation - koh-HAH-koo.

Showa

A white and red koi with black bands across the back and headPronunciation - SHO-wah.

Sanke

A white koi with red and black markingsPronunciation - SAHN-kee

Bekko

A koi which has a red, white or yellow solid body colour and black spotsPronunciation - bek-KOH.

Utsuri

Often confused with the bekko this is a black koi with white, yellow or orange markings Pronunciation - OOT-sir-ee.

Asagi

A bluey/grey scaled koi with an orange or red bellyPronunciation - ah-SAH-gee.

Shusui

A cross bred koi between a Asagi and a Doitsu, they have large scales running down there back and sidesPronunciation - SHOO-swee.

Koromo

A white/red koi with scales showing only in the red markings.Pronunciation - KOH-roh-moh.

Hikari

Any colour of koi with metallic scalesPronunciation - HEE-kah-ree.