All of them are absolutely gorgeous, aren’t they? So now that you’ve decided you want to be a koi keeper, how do you decide which variety to choose?
It helps if you acquire a passing familiarity with the varieties of koi available to you before you rush to the store or a breeder and make your final choice.
As you might imagine, there are different ways of labeling ornamental carp. Fish can be described and classified very differently, depending on where you live or what koi group you’re involved with.
In addition to the presentation in this book, many hobbyists classify koi through a historical approach. The breakdowns involve the first varieties to appear, who was involved in the breeding process, and lineages.
And that’s all well and good, and you may be enthusiastic enough to discover all that information one day. More power to you. But for the moment, the best method of classifying koi is through a physical description.
Here are just a few of the varieties you’re likely to encounter by the time you’re ready to call a koi your own.
Kohaku have a white body with red markings. Sometimes the markings appear to have a more orange tint than red. But whether they’re red or orange, they’re still known as kohaku.
If you encounter a koi that is predominately red (or Hi as is the strict Koi description for red) with some black markings, this fish is called the Taisho Sanke or sometimes known as the Taisho Sanshoku. When speaking about koi, the black markings are called Sumi.
Within this wide category, if you dare scratch the surface, you’ll find even more designations of koi. For example, there exists a color-pattern combination known as the Straight Hi. The red coloring on these particular fish is best described as interconnecting “meandering islands” of red.
You may also find fish with red markings in which the red resembles a lightning bolt. And no, they aren’t known as the “Harry Potter” koi, but that was a good guess. Instead, they are called Inazuma and the red here is also interconnected.
If you see a Kohaku type of koi with what many call a “two-step pattern,” then you’ve found a Nidan. Ni, by the way, means “two” in Japanese. This fish has two completely distinct “islands of red” on its body.
The Sandan has what is commonly called a “three-step” pattern. And yes, you’re absolutely right. San means “three” in Japanese. And this koi is graced with three independent “islands” of red on his body.
Now, it’s your turn to identify a koi. Let’s say it has four islands of red, and they’re not connected. Yon is the Japanese word for “four.” If you guessed the fish is called Yondan, you’re right! It’s not so difficult to understand once you know the equation.
Some hobbyists will additionally sub-categorize these fish by identifying the markings on their head. One sub-category is called the Kuchibeni. This one is cute, indeed. The red markings around its mouth make it look as if it’s wearing lipstick!
Another sub-category is Menkaburi. This type of fish is often said to have “a hood on its head.” The marking starts from behind and below the eyes and often extends to the mouth.
If you hear koi keepers describe a fish with a red crown on its head, then you know they’re talking about the Maruten, a type of Kahoku that not only has red on its head, but carries a little more red on its body as well.
The Showa Sanke, sometimes called the Show Sanshoku, is a black-bodied koi with red and white markings. At first glance, you may confuse it with the Taisho Sanke. But the Showa has more black, including on the head in the margins of the pectoral and tail fins.
The next koi has a marking called “Red Sun” on its head, and that’s really the only red marking it has. It’s called a Tancho. The ideal example of this koi is found if the red doesn’t bleed to other areas, is circular, and is centered on it head precisely. Good luck with that!
Also Ferret Types http://www.howtotakecareofferret.com/ferret-types-colors
