Quick Answer
Modern koi judging scores six criteria: Figure (30 points), Color (20), Pattern (20), Quality (10), Elegance (10), and Imposing Appearance (10). This replaced the older 50/50/20 system (figure/color/pattern only), reflecting a shift from purely subtracting demerits toward recognizing a koi’s genuine merits — a fish with real charm can still win despite minor flaws.
The standard for koi fish judging used to be 50 for the figure, 50 for the color, 20 for the pattern.
Recently, quality, elegance, and imposing appearance have been added. Modern judging marks koi in the ratio of 30 for the figure, 20 for the color, 20 for the pattern, 10 for the quality, 10 for the elegance, and 10 for the imposing appearance.
Since the Writer’s book of Nishikigoi explained how to judge them, it has been the way of judging to subtract demerit marks from full marks.
However, this seemed opposed to keepers’ love for their Nishikigoi, so now the way of adding marks for the koi’s merits is used instead.
For example, a koi with Hi on its fin or jaw used to get demerit marks or be neglected, but in present koi fish judging, it might still be a champion if it has an attractive point that makes up for its demerits.
The ranking is apt to be decided by judges’ first impression. To master powers of appreciation, it is easier to give or subtract marks according to a koi’s merits and demerits.
For example, Hi on the jaw, over the eyes, or on the pectoral fin gets minus 2 points. If a koi gets minus 4 for two demerits but has a very attractive point, it can still score 96 — sufficient to be a winner.
In short, if only subtraction is always done for demerits, there’s a real danger that a koi without any merit could still be chosen as champion by elimination. It’s more desirable to choose a koi with a charming point despite some weak points.
1. Figure — 30 Marks
The most important point in koi fish judging is the figure, including the style of swimming. Even if a koi has beautiful colors and patterns, it cannot win if its figure is bad.
Both sides should be symmetrical, but not strictly so — just as men’s faces are not perfectly symmetrical, a koi’s body isn’t either.
A female’s abdomen with eggs is naturally swollen, so this should not be regarded as an abnormal figure.
There are two kinds of abnormal figure: a lack and a deficiency. A koi without an eye or a fin is truly abnormal and should be excluded from judging. However, a koi with a swollen part of the abdomen or a caved part of the head can still be included in judging.
Some important points about the figure:
1. Straight line of the backbone with proper curves — It’s important that the koi’s backbone line is straight when seen from above. The top and bottom lines should draw proper curves when seen from the side. The top line must not curve sharply, and the bottom line must not be straight. A koi that twists itself when swimming is not worthy of being appreciated.
2. Beautiful fins — Beautiful, slightly large fins relative to body size make a koi look beautiful. Pectoral fins are the most important of all — they’re apt to be deformed either congenitally or by disease or injury. Some Ogons have dwarfed pectoral fins, which is definitely a weak point. Caudal and dorsal fins can be deformed too, especially dorsal fins with a caved center. Pelvic and anal fins can also show deformities.
3. A well-shaped head — Some koi faces are good looking and some are not, just like ours. One koi might have a nose that leans forward, another a turned-up nose — depending on the degree, these may be weak points. The most conspicuous deformation is of the jaw, most often an after-effect of gill rot affecting koi fry. Deformed jaws appear enlarged, with large, square heads. Eyes, mouths, and jaws are best when well-shaped.
4. Well-balanced height, length, and breadth — The ratio of length to height can tell you in general whether a koi’s figure is good. The higher the length-to-height ratio, the better the figure. Most well-balanced koi have a ratio between 1:2.6 and 1:3.0.
2. Colors — 20 Marks
All the colors of a koi should be clear. White should be pure white in every koi — it must not be brownish or milky white. The head especially tends to become brownish white, and the white texture should not have dirty spots or small Hi spots.
It’s important that the edge of a Hi marking is clear, and Hi must be uniform — uneven Hi is worthless. A Hi marking must not lack a red scale or have white spots on it. A thick layer of Hi is preferable, with bright Hi carrying a yellowish-brown tint considered the best. Hi with a purple tint is regarded as less elegant.
Roundish Sumi markings are better than square or triangle-shaped markings. The color should be pitch-dark, and Sumi must not be uneven. Bright luster over Sumi markings is indispensable — when covered with a white membrane, the koi likely has an illness and should be checked.
3. Pattern — 20 Marks
All the markings on a koi’s body should be well-balanced. A white part on either the mouth or tail region is necessary.
A U-shaped head Hi used to be considered ideal, but more unique shapes are now preferred. Two key points for judging the pattern: the head and shoulders, and the tail region — the former is more important. A Hi patch should spread widely on the head. A white cut on the neck is desirable for a Kohaku, and a Sumi marking for a Sanke. For the full breakdown of these specific varieties, see our Kohaku Koi guide.
On the tail region, a white part is needed — a heavy-looking pattern is not suitable there. Many Sumi markings on the tail region, or a plain red tail region (“red trousers”), is disliked.
4. Quality — 10 Marks
The quality of a koi cannot be explained in a single word — telling good quality from bad is mastered only through experience.
Quality is a synthesis of the white texture, Hi, Sumi, and the figure. A predisposition to become a large koi without losing Hi or Sumi is also important — a koi with this predisposition is generally round and large-headed.
Quality is relevant to every item in judging. The figure, color, pattern, and elegance are all related to quality. Having good quality is truly indispensable for a good koi, and it must be valued highly in judging. It’s wrong to attach great importance only to the pattern that appeals to judges at first glance.
5. Elegance — 10 Marks
A koi with a well-shaped head Hi is regarded as good looking. A koi with Hi spreading over the eyes or nose is thought to be worthless.
Though the shape of the pattern is valued highly, it must also be elegant. A white part on the tail joint influences a koi’s elegance too — important for the Kohaku as well as the Taisho-Sanke and Showa-Sanshoku.
A fat koi or a bad-figured koi is not regarded as elegant, even with good luster and pattern. The shape and size of the pectoral fins affect elegance — large, roundish pectoral fins are elegant.
In short, a koi of good quality with an excellent figure and beautiful pattern is thought to be elegant.
6. Imposing Appearance — 10 Marks
This criterion generally concerns large koi — their volume and imposingness are important elements in judging them.
If a Nishikigoi lacked an excellent pattern and clear colors, its imposing appearance can make up for them. In cases where two koi take the same marks for other items, the larger koi will win.
Since imposing appearance was included among the necessary judging points, ample, jumbo female koi have been valued greatly. However, imposingness is not necessarily about heavyweight alone — a large but bad-figured koi is valueless. A pot-bellied or double-bellied koi is disliked too. A koi with both an imposing and elegant appearance is the best, and such a koi can be found among male koi as well as female koi.
To train your eye for these judging criteria, Koi: A Complete Guide to their Care and Color Varieties includes detailed guidance on body conformation, color, pattern, and showing koi written by a team of international experts.
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Check out our koi fish for sale in the Philippines if you’re ready to purchase your own show-quality koi.
Koi Fish Judging: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you judge a koi fish?
Look for fish with pattern edges that are sharp and distinct. The skin should have no blemishes or dirty marks, and scales should be uniform. Whether all white, all black, or richly patterned, the ideal color will be deep, intense, and uniform.
What makes a koi show quality?
Skin quality matters significantly — when viewed in a bowl, the skin of a good koi will be bright and lustrous, almost like fine porcelain. Doitsu (scaleless) koi are easier to judge since the skin should simply be clean, bright, and very even with no discoloration, regardless of the koi’s color or pattern.
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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.