An Introduction to Common Koi Varieties and Price Reference

These days many friends enjoy keeping ornamental fish at home, and among them koi are the most popular. Koi are a large ornamental fish species; small koi are about a dozen centimeters, and large ones can even grow to over a meter. So friends who want to keep koi must take into account the actual size of the koi tank and the size of the koi, and leave space for the koi's future growth, because how big a koi can grow to later depends on how wide the koi tank is. So what varieties of common koi are there? What are the current koi prices on the market?

1. Kohaku

The red-and-white koi (Kohaku) is the orthodox representative of koi; its red markings set into pure white skin are dazzlingly bright, and at the (All) Japan Koi Show it once won the championship, the honor known as the Prime Minister's Award. According to their markings and lines, they are further divided into Lightning Kohaku, Two-Step Kohaku, Three-Step Kohaku, Four-Step Kohaku, and One-Line Kohaku, Napoleon, Fuji Kohaku, and so on.

2. Taisho Sanke

Taisho Sanke has red and black markings appearing on a white base, with the basic conditions being that the head has only red markings and no black spots, and the pectoral fins bear black stripes. Among the more precious Taisho Sanke there are also the Lipstick Sanke, which has small red spots on the snout, and the Fuji Sanke, which has silvery-white granules on the head, and so on.

3. Showa Sanshoku

Showa Sanshoku is a three-colored koi with red and white patterns on a black base, and black spots at the base of the pectoral fins. It is gorgeous and vigorous, full of masculine beauty; its red markings are vivid, and its black markings look as if painted with an ink brush, deep and thick black, with a huge body and full of impact, making it a top-grade fine among koi.

4. Utsuri

The markings of Utsuri look like colored characters written on a blackboard. Those showing triangular white patches on a black base are called Shiro Utsuri; those revealing triangular yellow patches are called Ki Utsuri; those with orange-red are called Hi Utsuri.

5. Bekko

Bekko is the opposite of Utsuri: the markings are black, and the base colors differ. Shiro Bekko is white base with black spots; Ki Bekko is yellow base with black spots; Aka Bekko is red base with black spots.

6. Asagi

Asagi is a hybrid offspring of the light yellow koi and the German mirror carp, called Asagi; its head is pale blue, clear and pure, its back is deep blue, like a bright blue sky, and its nose tip, face, belly, and the base of the fins are all adorned with red spots, adding even more beauty. The better-known ones include Hana Asagi, Hi Asagi, and so on.

7. Koromo

Koromo refers to those koi that put on a beautiful outer garment on top of their original colors. For example, Ai Koromo is the hybrid offspring of Kohaku and Asagi, whose red markings have a blue net-like pattern with a crescent shape on the rear edge of the scales; Sumi Koromo adds to the red markings of Kohaku.

8. Hikari Utsuri

Hikari Utsuri is the hybrid offspring of Utsuri and Ogon, with Kin Showa and Gin Showa as its representative types.

9. Ginrin and Kinrin

Ginrin and Kinrin refer to koi whose bodies have glittering gold or silver scales. These scales are set among the colored markings, making the colors even more brilliant and more elegant and luxurious.

10. Tancho

Tancho is a striking ornamental focal point, gorgeous and elegant. Among the more precious ones are the Tancho Kohaku, whose whole body is snow white with only a round red spot on the head, and the Tancho Sanshoku, which has a round red spot on the head and Shiro Bekko black spots on the body, and so on.

The Latest Koi Prices

Below, the Nongxun website editor has briefly sorted out some of the latest koi prices today:

Japanese koi in Nanhai District, Foshan City, Guangdong, 100 yuan/jin; yellow carp in Zhenping County, Nanyang City, Henan, 15 yuan/jin; golden koi in Yanzhou District, Jining City, Shandong, 26.5 yuan/jin; Kohaku in Gucheng County, Hengshui City, Hebei, 40 yuan/jin; Tancho Sanshoku koi in Dengzhou City, Nanyang City, Henan, 22 yuan/jin; red-and-white three-color koi in Longting District, Kaifeng City, Henan, 29.33 yuan/jin; Showa Kohaku in Yuanhui District, Luohe City, Henan, 12 yuan/jin; Taisho koi in Meilie District, Sanming City, Fujian, 100 yuan/jin, etc. The above prices are for reference only; the specific price will vary according to factors such as koi variety and size, and the on-site price shall prevail.

The above is an introduction to koi varieties and prices. Koi have always been called "feng shui fish" and "wealth-and-fortune-bringing fish," and many families keep one or two. Of course, besides the above koi varieties, there are also some expensive varieties, and some koi have even sold for sky-high prices of tens of thousands. For ordinary families, the editor suggests buying the more affordable varieties.

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