Editing Koi (section)

== Varieties ==
[[File:Ojiya Nishikigoi no Sato ac (4).jpg|thumb|The [[Ojiya, Niigata|Ojiya]] no Sato Museum in [[Niigata Prefecture]], Japan, is the only museum in the world that exhibits both varieties of living koi and data that show the history of their breeding.<ref name = "ojiyamuse"/>]]

According to ''Zen Nippon Airinkai'', a group that leads the breeding and dissemination of koi in Japan, there are more than 100 varieties of koi created through breeding, and each variety is classified into 16 groups.<ref name = "znavar">[https://web.archive.org/web/20200218055159/http://zna.jp/eng/nishikigoi/variety/index.html The Varieties of Nishikigoi] Zen Nippon Airinkai</ref> Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, patterning, and scalation. Some of the major colors are white, black, red, yellow, blue, and cream. Metallic shades of gold and platinum in the scales have also been developed through selective breeding. Although the possible colors are virtually limitless, breeders have identified and named a number of specific categories. The most notable category is {{Nihongo|''Gosanke''|御三家}}, which is made up of the ''Kōhaku'', ''Taishō Sanshoku'', and ''Shōwa Sanshoku'' varieties.

New koi varieties are still being actively developed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mitchkoi.co.uk/koikeepingtips/koi-varieties/ |title=Guide to Koi Varieties |work=mitchkoi.co.uk |access-date=12 April 2014 |archive-date=12 April 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140412171302/http://www.mitchkoi.co.uk/koikeepingtips/koi-varieties/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Ghost koi developed in the 1980s have become very popular in the [[United Kingdom]]; they are a [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] of wild carp and Ogon koi and are distinguished by their metallic scales. [[Butterfly koi]] (also known as longfin koi, or dragon carp), also developed in the 1980s, are notable for their long and flowing fins. They are hybrids of koi with [[Asian carp]]. Butterfly koi<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scientist |first=Atsushi Hoshino |date=22 December 2023 |title=Research campaign on butterfly koi fish |url=https://zenkoifarm.vn/ca-koi-buom-gia-bao-nhieu-dac-diem-va-cach-cham-soc-nhu-the-nao/ |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Zen Koi Garden Biological Research Center |language=vi |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207175948/https://zenkoifarm.vn/ca-koi-buom-gia-bao-nhieu-dac-diem-va-cach-cham-soc-nhu-the-nao/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and ghost koi are considered by some to be not true ''nishikigoi''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Informer (Abi) |first=Pond |date=13 February 2022 |title=Complete Guide to Ghost Koi |url=https://pondinformer.com/ghost-koi-guide/ |access-date=7 September 2022 |website=Pond Informer |language=en |archive-date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907123546/https://pondinformer.com/ghost-koi-guide/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The major named varieties include:<ref name = "znavar"/>
<!-- {{columns-list|6|
# ''Kohaku
# ''Taisho Sanke
# ''Showa Sanke
# ''Tanchō
# ''Chagoi
# ''Asagi
# ''Utsurimono
# ''Bekko
# ''Goshiki
# ''Shūsui
# ''Kinginrin
# ''Kawarimono
# ''Ōgon
# ''Kumonryū
# ''Ochiba
# ''Koromo
# ''Hikari-moyomono
# ''Kikokuryū
# ''Kin-Kikokuryū
# Ghost koi
# Butterfly koi
# ''Doitsu-goi
}}
 -->
* {{Nihongo|''[[Kohaku (Nishikigoi)|Kōhaku]]''|紅白}} is a white-skinned koi, with large red markings on the top. The name means "red and white"; ''kōhaku'' was one of the first ornamental varieties to be established in Japan (late 19th century).<ref>{{Cite book |author=Tamadachi M apter=Koi varieties |page=191 |title=The Cult of the Koi |publisher=TFH Publications |location=Neptune City, New Jersey |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-86622-085-9}}</ref>
* {{Nihongo|''Taishō Sanshoku'' (or ''Taishō Sanke)''|大正三色}} is very similar to the ''kōhaku'', except for the addition of small black markings called {{Nihongo|''sumi''|墨}}. This variety was first exhibited in 1914 by the koi breeder Gonzo Hiroi, during the reign of the [[Taishō Emperor]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} In the United States, the name is often abbreviated to just "Sanke". The ''kanji'', 三色, may be read as either ''sanshoku'' or as ''sanke'' (from its earlier name 三毛).
* {{Nihongo|[[Showa (fish)|''Shōwa Sanshoku'' (or ''Shōwa Sanke'')]]|昭和三色}} is a black koi with red (''hi'' 緋) and white (''shiroji'' 白地) markings. The first ''Shōwa Sanke'' was exhibited in 1927, during the reign of the [[Shōwa Emperor]]. In America, the name is often abbreviated to just "Shōwa". The amount of ''shiroji'' on ''Shōwa Sanke'' has increased in modern times (''Kindai Shōwa'' 近代昭和), to the point that it can be difficult to distinguish from ''Taishō Sanke''. The ''kanji'', 三色, may be read as either ''sanshoku'' or as ''sanke.''
* {{Nihongo|''Bekkō''|鼈甲、べっ甲}} is a white-, red-, or yellow-skinned koi with black markings {{Nihongo|''sumi''|墨}}. The Japanese name means "tortoise shell", and is commonly written as 鼈甲. The white, red, and yellow varieties are called {{Nihongo|''Shiro Bekkō''|白鼈甲}}, {{Nihongo|''Aka Bekkō''|赤鼈甲}} and {{Nihongo|''Ki Bekkō''|黄鼈甲}}, respectively. It may be confused with the ''Utsuri''.
* {{Nihongo|''Utsurimono''|写り物}} is a black koi with white, red, or yellow markings, in a [[zebra]] color pattern. The oldest attested form is the yellow form, called {{Nihongo|"black and yellow markings"|黒黄斑|''Kuro ki madara''}} in the 19th century, but renamed {{Nihongo|''Ki Utsuri''|黄写り}} by Elizaburo Hoshino, an early 20th-century koi breeder. The red and white versions are called {{Nihongo|''Hi Utsuri''|緋写り}} and {{Nihongo|''Shiro Utsuri''|白写り}} (piebald color morph), respectively. The word ''utsuri'' means to print (the black markings are reminiscent of ink stains). Genetically, it is the same as ''Shōwa'', but lacking either red pigment (''Shiro Utsuri'') or white pigment (''Hi Utsuri''/''Ki Utsuri'').
* {{Nihongo|''Asagi''|浅黄}} koi is light blue above and usually red below, but also occasionally pale yellow or cream, generally below the lateral line and on the cheeks. The Japanese name means pale greenish-blue, [[spring onion]] color, or [[indigo]].
* '{{Nihongo|''Shūsui''|秋翠}} means "autumn green"; the ''Shūsui'' was created in 1910 by Yoshigoro Akiyama（[[:ja:秋山　吉五郎|秋山　吉五郎]], by crossing Japanese ''Asagi'' with German [[mirror carp]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} The fish has no scales, except for a single line of large mirror scales dorsally, extending from head to tail. The most common type of ''Shūsui'' has a pale, [[sky-blue]]/gray color above the lateral line and red or orange (and very, very rarely bright yellow) below the lateral line and on the cheeks.
* {{Nihongo|''Koromo''|衣}} is a white fish with a ''Kōhaku''-style pattern with blue or black-edged scales only over the ''hi'' pattern. This variety first arose in the 1950s as a cross between a ''Kōhaku'' and an ''Asagi''.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} The most commonly encountered ''Koromo'' is an {{Nihongo|''Ai Goromo''|藍衣}}, which is colored like a ''Kōhaku'', except each of the scales within the red patches has a blue or black edge to it. Less common is the {{Nihongo|''Budō-Goromo''|葡萄衣}}, which has a darker (burgundy) ''hi'' overlay that gives it the appearance of bunches of grapes. Very rarely seen is the {{Nihongo|''Sumi-Goromo''|墨衣}}, which is similar to ''Budō-Goromo'', but the ''hi'' pattern is such a dark burgundy that it appears nearly black.
* {{Nihongo|''Kawarimono''|変わり物}} is a "catch-all" term for koi that cannot be put into one of the other categories. This is a competition category, and many new varieties of koi compete in this one category. It is also known as {{Nihongo|''kawarigoi''|変わり鯉}}.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}}
* {{Nihongo|''Goshiki''|五色}} is a dark koi with red (''Kōhaku'' style) ''hi'' pattern. The Japanese name means "five colors". It appears similar to an ''Asagi'', with little or no ''hi'' below the lateral line and a ''Kōhaku Hi'' pattern over reticulated (fishnet pattern) scales. The base color can range from nearly black to very pale, sky blue.
* {{Nihongo|''Hikari-mujiimono''|光無地もの}} is a variety of which the whole body is one color and the body is shiny, and it is called differently depending on the color.
* {{Nihongo|''Hikari-moyomono''|光模樣もの}} is a koi with colored markings over a metallic base or in two metallic colors.
* {{Nihongo|''Hikari-utsurimono''|光写りもの}} is a cross between ''utsurimono'' series and ''Ōgon''.
* {{Nihongo|''Kinginrin''|金銀鱗}} is a koi with metallic (glittering, metal-flake-appearing) scales. The name translates into English as "gold and silver scales"; it is often abbreviated to ''Ginrin''. ''Ginrin'' versions of almost all other varieties of koi occur, and they are fashionable. Their sparkling, glittering scales contrast to the smooth, even, metallic skin and scales seen in the ''Ogon'' varieties. Recently, these characteristics have been combined to create the new ''ginrin Ogon'' varieties.
* {{Nihongo|''Tanchō''|丹頂}} is any koi with a solitary red patch on its head. The fish may be a ''Tanchō Shōwa'', ''Tanchō Sanke'', or even ''Tanchō Goshiki''. It is named for the Japanese [[red-crowned crane]] (''Grus japonensis''), which also has a red spot on its head.
* {{Nihongo|''Chagoi''|茶鯉}}, "tea-colored", this koi can range in color from pale olive-drab green or brown to copper or bronze and more recently, darker, subdued orange shades. Famous for its docile, friendly personality and large size, it is considered a sign of good luck among koi keepers.
* {{Nihongo|''Ōgon''|黄金}} is a metallic koi of one color only (''hikarimono'' 光者). The most commonly encountered colors are gold, platinum, and orange. Cream specimens are very rare. ''Ogon'' compete in the ''Kawarimono'' category and the Japanese name means "gold". The variety was created by Sawata Aoki in 1946 from wild carp he caught in 1921.<!-- Recently, the metallic-skinned ''Ogon'' is being crossed with ''ginrin''-scaled fish to create the'' ginrin Ogon'' with metallic skin and sparkling (metal flake) scales.-->
* {{Nihongo|''Kumonryū''|九紋竜}}' （literally "nine tattooed dragons" is a black ''doitsu''-scaled fish with curling white markings. The patterns are thought to be reminiscent of Japanese ink paintings of dragons. They famously change color with the seasons.<ref name="theblogadventure.com">{{Cite web |date=11 August 2023 |title=19 Features of Koi Fish: from Symbolism to Serenity |url=https://theblogadventure.com/koi-fish-19aspects-from-symbolism-to-serenity/ |access-date=15 August 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=15 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815191833/https://theblogadventure.com/koi-fish-19aspects-from-symbolism-to-serenity/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Kumonryu ''compete in the ''Kawarimono'' category.
* {{Nihongo|''Ochiba''|落葉}} is a light blue/gray koi with copper, bronze, or yellow (''Kohaku''-style) pattern, reminiscent of autumn leaves on water. The Japanese name means "fallen leaves".
* ''Kikokuryū'' (輝黒竜, literally "sparkle" or "glitter black dragon") is a metallic-skinned version of the ''Kumonryu''.
* ''Kin-Kikokuryū'' (金輝黒竜, literally "gold sparkle black dragon" or "gold glitter black dragon") is a metallic-skinned version of the ''Kumonryu'' with a ''Kōhaku''-style ''hi'' pattern developed by Mr. Seiki Igarashi of Ojiya City. At least six different genetic subvarieties of this general variety are seen.
* Ghost koi ([[:ja:人面魚|人面魚]]、[[:ja:じんめんぎょ|じんめんぎょ]]), a hybrid of ''Ogon'' and wild carp with metallic scales, is considered by some to be not ''nishikigoi''.
* [[Butterfly koi]] ([[:ja:鰭長錦鯉|鰭長錦鯉]]、[[:ja:ひれながにしきごい|ひれながにしきごい]]) is a hybrid of koi and Asian carp with long flowing fins. Various colorations depend on the koi stock used to cross. It also is considered by some to not be ''nishikigoi''.
* {{Nihongo|''Doitsu-goi''|ドイツ鯉}} originated by crossbreeding numerous different established varieties with "scaleless" [[German carp]] (generally, fish with only a single line of scales along each side of the dorsal fin). Also written as 独逸鯉, four main types of ''Doitsu'' scale patterns exist. The most common type (referred to above) has a row of scales beginning at the front of the dorsal fin and ending at the end of the dorsal fin (along both sides of the fin). The second type has a row of scales beginning where the head meets the shoulder and running the entire length of the fish (along both sides). The third type is the same as the second, with the addition of a line of (often quite large) scales running along the lateral line (along the side) of the fish, also referred to as "mirror koi". The fourth (and rarest) type is referred to as "armor koi" and is completely (or nearly) covered with very large scales that resemble plates of armor. It also is called ''Kagami-goi'' (鏡鯉、カガミゴイ), or mirror carp (ミラーカープ).

<gallery>
File:Kohaku.jpg|Kōhaku
File:Tanchosanke.JPG|Tanchō Sanke
File:Showa4.JPG|Shōwa Sanke
File:Koi asagi.jpg|Asagi
File:AZBG_Koi.jpg|Bekkō 
File:Gin Rin Showa.jpg|Gin Rin Shōwa
</gallery>