How many types of koi fish are there? There are 14 official koi classification groups recognized by the Japanese koi industry, encompassing over 100 distinct varieties. Each group is defined by a unique combination of color, pattern, and scale type. Whether you are setting up your first koi pond or adding a prized specimen to an established collection, understanding the different types of koi is the foundation of smart koi keeping. In this complete guide, we cover all 14 official koi groups, their key characteristics, difficulty level for keepers, and links to our full individual variety guides.
Types of Koi at a Glance:
- 🐟 Total official groups: 14 (plus Kawarimono as a catch-all 15th)
- 🌟 The “Big Three” (Gosanke): Kohaku, Taisho Sanke, Showa — most prestigious in competition
- 🎨 Defined by: Color, pattern, and scale type (standard, Doitsu/scaleless, Ginrin/sparkling)
- 🏆 Most popular for beginners: Kohaku, Chagoi, Ogon
- 💰 Most valuable: Champion-grade Kohaku and Showa can exceed $100,000
- 📍 Origin: Developed in Niigata, Japan in the early 19th century
The 14 Official Types of Koi Fish: Quick Reference Table
Use this table to quickly identify any koi by its key visual characteristics:
| # | Koi Type | Colors | Key Feature | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kohaku | Red + White | Clean red patterns on white base | ⭐ Beginner |
| 2 | Taisho Sanke | Red + White + Black | Black accent spots on Kohaku base | ⭐⭐ Intermediate |
| 3 | Showa Sanshoku | Black + Red + White | Black is dominant base color | ⭐⭐ Intermediate |
| 4 | Tancho | White + Single Red Circle | Red circle on head only | ⭐ Beginner |
| 5 | Utsuri | Black + One Color | Black base with red, white, or yellow | ⭐⭐ Intermediate |
| 6 | Bekko | White/Red/Yellow + Black | Small black spots on colored base | ⭐ Beginner |
| 7 | Asagi | Blue/Grey + Red | Net-like blue scale pattern, red belly | ⭐⭐ Intermediate |
| 8 | Shusui | Blue + Red | Scaleless Asagi with zipper back scales | ⭐⭐ Intermediate |
| 9 | Koromo | Red + White + Blue overlay | Blue/purple robing over Kohaku pattern | ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced |
| 10 | Goshiki | Five colors | Red, white, black, blue, dark blue | ⭐⭐ Intermediate |
| 11 | Ogon | Single metallic color | Solid metallic gold, platinum, or orange | ⭐ Beginner |
| 12 | Hikari Utsuri | Metallic + Black base | Metallic version of Utsuri pattern | ⭐⭐ Intermediate |
| 13 | Kinginrin | Any + sparkling scales | Mirror-like reflective scales | ⭐⭐ Intermediate |
| 14 | Kawarimono | Any non-metallic | All varieties not fitting other groups | ⭐–⭐⭐⭐ Varies |
The Big Three: Gosanke Koi
In the world of competitive koi keeping, three varieties reign supreme. Collectively known as Gosanke (御三家 — “the three great families”), Kohaku, Taisho Sanke, and Showa dominate koi shows worldwide and are considered the pinnacle of the art form.
There is a saying among experienced koi keepers: “You start with Kohaku and you end with Kohaku.” This reflects the fact that no matter how many varieties a koi keeper explores over a lifetime, they always return to the pure elegance of a perfectly patterned Kohaku.
1. Kohaku
Kohaku is the most iconic koi variety and the standard against which all others are measured. A white-bodied fish with bold red (hi) patterns, Kohaku has been selectively bred for over 150 years. The ideal Kohaku has a brilliant snow-white base, deep stable red patterns with clean edges, and a consistent pattern balanced across the body. In competition, judges evaluate the quality of the red, the purity of the white, and the overall pattern balance.
Best for: Beginners and serious competitors alike — Kohaku is the universal starting point. Key varieties: Straight Hi (solid red), Nidan (two-step pattern), Sandan (three-step), Yondan (four-step), Godan (five-step)
2. Taisho Sanke
Taisho Sanke — commonly called “Sanke” — is essentially a Kohaku with the addition of small black (sumi) accent spots. The white base and red patterns follow the same principles as Kohaku, but the black markings add a third dimension. In a show-quality Sanke, the black should appear only on the body (not the head) and should complement rather than dominate the red and white.
Best for: Intermediate keepers ready to evaluate three-color balance. Key varieties: Doitsu Sanke (scaleless), Ginrin Sanke (sparkling scales), Maruten Sanke (isolated red head spot)
3. Showa Sanshoku
Showa looks superficially similar to Sanke — both have red, white, and black — but the underlying structure is completely different. In Showa, black is the dominant base color, with red and white appearing as patterns over it. A classic Showa has black wrapping around the body including the head, with bold red and white markings breaking through. Showa also typically shows black at the base of the pectoral fins (motoguro), which Sanke does not.
Best for: Intermediate to advanced keepers who appreciate bold, high-contrast patterns. Key varieties: Hi Showa (red dominant), Kindai Showa (white dominant, modern style), Doitsu Showa
Single-Color and Metallic Koi Types
Tancho
Named after the Tancho crane — Japan’s sacred red-crowned crane — the Tancho koi has a pure white body with a single round red spot on the head and nowhere else. The elegance of Tancho lies in its restraint: one perfect circle of red on a flawless white canvas. The red spot should be centered on the head, circular, and clearly defined.
Best for: Keepers who appreciate minimalist elegance.
Ogon
Ogon koi are solid-colored metallic fish — the simplest variety in pattern but striking in their lustrous finish. The most popular are Yamabuki Ogon (brilliant gold), Platinum Ogon (pure metallic white), and Hi Ogon (metallic orange-red). Ogon are excellent for beginners because their quality is easy to assess — look for an even, unbroken metallic sheen across the entire body.
Best for: Beginners — easy to evaluate, very hardy, highly visible in a pond.
Patterned Koi Types
Utsuri
Utsuri means “reflection” in Japanese. These fish have a black base with large blocks of a single contrasting color — red (Hi Utsuri), white (Shiro Utsuri), or yellow (Ki Utsuri). Shiro Utsuri is the most popular and among the most striking of all koi varieties, with its bold black-and-white pattern. Ki Utsuri is the rarest.
Bekko
Bekko are the opposite of Utsuri — a colored base (white, red, or yellow) with small black spots. Shiro Bekko (white with black spots) is the most common. Bekko have a gentler, more scattered pattern compared to the bold blocks of Utsuri.
Asagi and Shusui
Asagi are one of the oldest koi varieties, with a distinctive net-like pattern of blue-grey scales on the upper body and red or orange coloring on the belly, fins, and cheeks. Shusui is the Doitsu (scaleless) version of Asagi, recognized by its dramatic row of large dark scales running down the back like a zipper, with the same red-and-blue color scheme.
Koromo
Koromo means “robed” — these koi have a Kohaku base pattern with a blue or purple overlay on the red scales, creating the appearance of a garment draped over the fish. Koromo are considered an advanced variety because the overlay pattern needs to be precise and even to achieve show quality.
Goshiki
Goshiki means “five colors” — these complex koi combine red, white, black, dark blue, and light blue in a single fish. Modern Goshiki tend toward a darker, more dramatic appearance, while traditional Goshiki are lighter. Goshiki patterns shift significantly as the fish ages, making them a fascinating long-term keeper.
Special Scale Types: Ginrin and Doitsu
Two scale variations cut across all koi varieties and significantly affect value and appearance:
Ginrin (Gin Rin): Koi with sparkling, mirror-like scales that catch and reflect light. Any variety can come in Ginrin — a Ginrin Kohaku, Ginrin Showa, or Ginrin Chagoi. Ginrin koi are highly prized because the sparkling scales add brilliance and visual impact, especially in bright sunlight.
Doitsu: Koi with no scales (or scales only along the lateral line and dorsal line), originating from German mirror carp introduced to Japan in the early 20th century. Doitsu koi have a sleek, smooth appearance and often show colors more vividly because there is no scale pattern to break them up. Almost every variety has a Doitsu version.
Popular Non-Competition Koi Types
Butterfly Koi (Longfin Koi)
Butterfly koi are not recognized in traditional Japanese koi shows, but they are enormously popular worldwide for garden ponds. Distinguished by their dramatically long, flowing fins — which trail behind them like silk ribbons as they swim — butterfly koi come in all the standard color varieties. They are a hybrid between traditional koi and Indonesian longfin carp, developed in the 1980s.
→ Read the full guide: Butterfly Koi: Complete Care Guide
Ghost Koi
Ghost koi are a cross between wild mirror carp and Ogon koi. They typically display a metallic sheen over a dark, shadowy body — giving them a mysterious, “ghostly” appearance. While not recognized in Japanese competition, ghost koi are extremely hardy, fast-growing, and popular in the UK and US pond market.
Chagoi
Helmy Iskandar
Chagoi are large, friendly koi in earthy brown, olive, or tea colors. They are famous for being the tamest koi variety — Chagoi are typically the first fish in a pond to eat from your hand, and their calm presence often encourages other koi to become hand-tame as well. Chagoi also grow exceptionally large and are associated with good luck and friendship in Japanese culture.
→ Read the full guide: Chagoi Koi: Everything You Need to Know
How to Choose the Right Koi Type for Your Pond
| Your Situation | Best Koi Types |
|---|---|
| First-time koi keeper | Kohaku, Ogon, Chagoi, Tancho |
| Want hand-tame fish | Chagoi, Karashigoi, Ochiba Shigure |
| Small pond (under 2,000L) | Kohaku, Tancho, Bekko, smaller Ogon |
| Want maximum visual impact | Ginrin varieties, Showa, Butterfly Koi |
| Building a show collection | Gosanke (Kohaku, Sanke, Showa) |
| Want rare/unique fish | Ki Utsuri, Koromo, Goshiki, Beni Kumonryu |
| Budget-conscious starter | Chagoi, Ghost Koi, standard Kohaku |
Koi Types by Color: Quick Finder
| If you want this color… | Look at these varieties |
|---|---|
| Red and white | Kohaku, Tancho, Koromo |
| Black and white | Shiro Utsuri, Shiro Bekko, Kumonryu |
| Three colors | Taisho Sanke, Showa, Goshiki |
| Solid gold/metallic | Yamabuki Ogon, Kin Matsuba |
| Solid white/platinum | Platinum Ogon, Shiro Muji |
| Blue/grey tones | Asagi, Shusui, Ochiba Shigure |
| Earthy/natural colors | Chagoi, Karashigoi, Soragoi |
| Flowing fins | Butterfly Koi (any color) |
| Sparkling scales | Any Ginrin variety |
FAQ: Types of Koi Fish
How many types of koi fish are there?
There are 14 official koi classification groups recognized by the Japanese koi industry, with a 15th catch-all group called Kawarimono for varieties that don’t fit neatly elsewhere. Within these groups, there are over 100 distinct named varieties. New varieties continue to emerge through selective breeding, so the total number is always growing.
What is the most popular type of koi fish?
Kohaku is universally considered the most popular and prestigious koi variety. It is the foundation of koi keeping — a white-bodied fish with bold red patterns. There is a well-known saying among koi keepers: “You start with Kohaku and you end with Kohaku,” reflecting how the variety remains compelling at every level of the hobby.
What is the rarest type of koi fish?
Ki Utsuri (yellow and black) is widely considered the rarest of the standard koi varieties. Other notably rare types include Beni Kumonryu (a color-changing black and red variety), Koromo, and high-quality Goshiki. Among Kohaku, a perfect five-step pattern with championship-grade red is exceptionally rare and commands the highest prices
What is the best type of koi for beginners?
Kohaku, Ogon, and Chagoi are the best choices for beginners. Ogon (solid metallic koi) are the easiest to evaluate and very hardy. Chagoi are the friendliest and most forgiving variety. Kohaku give you an excellent foundation for understanding koi quality as your eye develops.
What is the difference between Sanke and Showa?
Both Sanke and Showa have red, white, and black — but the key difference is which color dominates. In Sanke, white is the base and black appears only as small accent spots. In Showa, black is the dominant base color and wraps around the body including the head. A quick test: look at the pectoral fins — black at the base of the fins (motoguro) indicates Showa; clean fins indicate Sanke.
What type of koi grows the largest?
Chagoi and Jumbo Kohaku are the varieties most known for exceptional size. Well-kept Chagoi regularly exceed 80–90cm (30–35 inches). The world’s largest koi on record — nicknamed “Big Girl” in the UK — was a mirror carp/koi hybrid measuring 105cm. Standard healthy pond koi typically reach 50–70cm in optimal conditions.
What is a Gosanke koi?
Gosanke (御三家) means “the three great families” and refers to the three most prestigious koi varieties: Kohaku, Taisho Sanke, and Showa Sanshoku. These three dominate koi competitions worldwide and are considered the highest expression of the koi keeping art form. A champion Gosanke koi can sell for tens of thousands to over one hundred thousand dollars.
What is the difference between Ginrin and regular koi?
Ginrin koi have specialized scales that contain tiny mirror-like crystals which reflect light, giving the fish a sparkling, glittering appearance. Regular-scaled koi have solid scales without this reflective quality. Any koi variety can come in a Ginrin version — Ginrin Kohaku, Ginrin Showa, and so on. Ginrin koi are typically more valuable than their standard-scaled counterparts.
Explore Individual Koi Variety Guides
- Complete Guide to 30 Koi Varieties →
- Butterfly Koi: Full Care Guide →
- Chagoi Koi: Everything You Need to Know →
- Koi Fish Meaning by Color →
- Best Koi Food Guide →
- Koi Fish for Sale Philippines →
Last updated: [May 22, 2026] By Giovanni Carlo — koi fish specialist based in the Philippines, breeding and keeping koi since the 1980s.
Passionate about fish keeping since elementary school in the 1980s, Giovanni Carlo has dedicated countless hours to collecting and breeding a diverse array of ornamental freshwater fish. From vibrant guppies and majestic koi to striking bettas and classic goldfish, he continues to explore the fascinating world of aquatics, sharing knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow fish enthusiasts.