Top Three Koi Varieties Ranked with Detailed Features and Representative Lines
Koi originated in Japan and is a fish of great ornamental value. With the course of history, koi varieties have evolved to more than a hundred today, and together with their auspicious symbolism, they are increasingly favored by aquarium enthusiasts. Among the many koi varieties, the most popular are none other than the Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku and Showa Sanshoku, collectively known as the "Gosanke". Let's take a look below.
Top Three Koi Varieties Ranked (in no particular order)
1. Kohaku Koi Variety
Variety introduction: The Kohaku koi line is composed of red (hi) and white, in which the white must be snowy white and translucent, and the red must be glossy, rich and vivid red, with the red markings on the back distributed evenly. In addition, the boundary between red and white must be clearly defined, ensuring there is no transitional color, that is, the edges must be neat and the overall look must be aesthetically pleasing.
Variety features: The most obvious feature is that the Kohaku koi must have red on the head and near the tail. In addition, small round red spots can be seen on the lips of the Kohaku koi, and the body pattern is generally symmetrical left and right.
Representative lines: Fuji Kohaku; Nidan Kohaku; Doitsu Kohaku; Kuchibeni Kohaku; Sandan Kohaku, etc.
2. Taisho Sanshoku Koi Variety
Variety introduction: The Taisho Sanshoku koi variety was born in Japan's Taisho era, and its body and colors are mainly divided into a white base with red and black markings on the body, hence it is called the "three true colors".
Variety features: The Taisho Sanshoku koi is characterized by glossy blue-based sumi (black) markings, and it is considered finer quality when the sumi markings are distributed on the white markings, such as on the shoulders.
Representative lines: Aka Sanshoku; Doitsu Sanshoku; Kuchibeni Sanshoku; Ginrin Sanshoku, etc.
3. Showa Sanshoku Koi Variety
Variety introduction: The Showa koi, like the Taisho Sanshoku koi, is named after an era, so the Showa Sanshoku koi originated in Japan's Showa era in the 1930s. But unlike the Taisho Sanshoku, the Showa Sanshoku has a thick ink-sprayed base color, while its red and white colors evolved later on top of the ink-sprayed base.
Variety features: There are large red patches on the body with clear edges. The white areas are required to be pure white, and those with white patches on the head and tail are of higher taste.
Representative lines: Tanishi Showa; Doitsu Showa; Hi Showa; Kindai Showa, etc.
The above is a detailed introduction to the top three koi varieties. Simply put, koi varieties are diverse, and friends who want to keep koi are advised not to mix them, and at the same time must master certain breeding techniques to ensure the healthy growth of koi.
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