Koi Variety Guide: What Makes Each Fish Special
With dozens of koi varieties out there, it can be hard to know where to start. Each variety has its own history, appearance, and personality. Here's a quick guide to some of the most popular — and most fascinating — koi you'll encounter.
Not sure how to say these names? Check out our companion post: How to Pronounce Koi Varieties.
Goromo
Meaning "robed," Goromo are white koi with a Kohaku-like hi pattern where each red scale is edged in dark blue or black — a nod to their Asagi ancestry. The Ai Goromo is the most well-known form; the Budo Goromo takes on a deep purple-grape appearance. Both require snow-white skin and well-distributed sumi to shine.
Hajiro
A sleek black koi with a white nose and white-tipped pectoral fins. Simple and elegant — the white accents make it far more visible in the water than an all-black fish. Hajiro falls under the Kawarimono classification alongside other non-metallic koi that don't fit neatly into other categories.
Karasu
Meaning "crow," the Karasu is one of the oldest koi varieties — solid black body and fins with a contrasting white or orange belly. Bold, ancient, and unmistakable.
Kujaku
The "peacock" of the koi world. Kujaku are metallic platinum fish with black Matsuba scalation overlaying a hi pattern, first bred in 1960 from a Shusui and Kin Matsuba cross. A good specimen can rival the patterning of Gosanke. Many are Doitsu due to their Shusui lineage. The sub-variety Beni Kujaku is predominantly red.
Kumonryu
The "dragon fish" — always Doitsu, always dramatic. Kumonryu display large, wavy blocks of white and black that shift seasonally with water temperature. They are the most popular black koi derivative in Kawarimono, and are effectively a Doitsu Matsukawabake.
Matsuba
Known for their pinecone-like scale reticulation, Matsuba are most often bred as metallic fish. The main forms are Aka Matsuba (red), Ki Matsuba (yellow), and the rare Shiro Matsuba (white). Non-metallic Matsuba are benched in Kawarimono and are quite rare.
Matsukawabake
One of the most unusual koi — its black and white pattern actually shifts with the seasons and water temperature. A fish can appear nearly all black in winter and nearly all white in summer, with striking shadowy transitions in between. It's like having two koi in one.
Ochiba
"Autumn leaves on the water" — a silver-gray base with bronze or copper patterning, developed by crossing Chagoi and Soragoi. Docile, friendly, and capable of growing very large. Look for strong pattern edges and good scale reticulation.
Sanke
A white koi with red and black markings — like a Kohaku splattered with ink. First exhibited in Tokyo in 1914, Sanke share traceable bloodlines with Kohaku. Sumi should ideally sit on white skin and not extend below the lateral line. Top bloodlines include Matsunosuke, Jinbei, Sadazo, and Kichinai.
Shusui
"Autumn water" — the Doitsu version of Asagi, first bred in 1910. A smooth sky-blue back is framed by mirror scales along the dorsal fin and flanks. Sub-varieties include Hi Shusui (red over the back), Hana Shusui (wavy floral red band), and Ki Shusui (yellow instead of red).
Soragoi
A plain, solid blue-gray koi — understated but beloved. Soragoi are known for their calm, friendly temperament and often become the "leader" of a pond. Crossed with Chagoi, they produce the beautiful Ochiba Shigure.
Yamabuki Ogon
A solid metallic yellow-gold koi ranging from vibrant lemon to deep marigold. Simple in pattern, stunning in presence. Look for blemish-free scales, a clear head, and white fins. Variations include Gin Rin (sparkling scales) and Doitsu (smooth back) forms.
Yamato Nishiki
The "aristocrat of Hikarimoyo" — a metallic Sanke. Developed in the 1960s after 15 years of selective breeding, Yamato Nishiki combines the Sanke pattern with a platinum metallic sheen. The metallic skin softens colors slightly, but the platinum base more than compensates.
Every koi has a story — and we'd love to help you find yours. Browse our live koi inventory at Crystal Creek Koi Farm, where each fish is hand-selected and ready to become the centerpiece of your pond.
Have questions about a specific variety? Reach out — we love talking koi.