| If you've thinking of raising koi fish (or have had | | | | number of specific categories. The most popular |
| problems raising koi), but have been hesitant because | | | | category is the Gosanke category which includes |
| you thought they were too difficult to take care of, | | | | Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoki and Showa Sanshoki |
| think again. You have found the right set of | | | | varieties of koi. The Kohaku koi variety are white |
| resources to help you achieve your goal. | | | | with red markings. The white coloring on this breed |
| Maybe you hesitated because you really didn't know | | | | of koi should be pure snowy white and the red |
| where to start. Or maybe you've never kept fish | | | | should have well defined edges that cover between |
| before and thought you should begin with "starter" | | | | 50 and 70 percent of the body. The Taisho Sanshoki |
| fish. Well none of that is necessary because if it's koi | | | | variety of koi which is also known as Taisho Sanke |
| you want in your aquarium or pond, then it's koi you | | | | or just Sanke, are white fish with red and black |
| should have – and will help you every step of the | | | | markings. Like most white coloring on koi, the white |
| way. | | | | coloring should be pure snowy white while the red |
| These amazing fish are among the most beautiful | | | | and black colors are deep in hue with distinct edges. |
| alive. It is clear that the Japanese took a lot of pride | | | | Similar to the Sanke variety of koi, the Showa |
| in selectively breeding koi fish to produce the | | | | Sanshoki, or just Showa variety of koi are also white, |
| different gorgeous color patterns we see today. | | | | black and red in color. The difference between the |
| Their spectacular colors and patterns are part of the | | | | two is that the Showa koi is predominantly black with |
| reason that koi fish are still loved today and are | | | | red and white markings. Other koi varieties all have |
| treasured by their owners. | | | | their own color markings. For instance the Ogon koi |
| The colors of a koi fish should be bright. A red koi | | | | breeds come in a variety of colors but are all one |
| should be bright red and a black koi should be deep | | | | color. They should be an even hue all over their body |
| black. A dull black or a fish containing scales or spots | | | | with no patterns or markings. |
| that are slightly graying does not reflect well on the | | | | It is possible to enhance their koi’s colors by |
| fish. As would a white koi that is not pure white as | | | | feeding them a rich diet. Shrimp, marigold, plankton |
| snow but contains specks of dirty grey. Color is an | | | | and blue-green algae known as Spirulina are examples |
| indicator of good health. With koi, if they are in poor | | | | of types of food that have been added to |
| health or are exposed to poor water conditions, they | | | | commercially prepared foods specifically geared to |
| will change color. Their bright colors will turn dull. If | | | | enhance the color in koi fish. Plus, feeding koi frozen |
| you are looking to buy koi fish understanding how a | | | | or freeze-dried foods like brine shrimp and daphnia, |
| koi’s color is supposed to look can help you in | | | | you are ultimately feeding them color-enhancing |
| picking out a health fish. In turn, while caring for koi | | | | ingredients. Each of these types of foods have high |
| of your own, keeping a close watch on the color of | | | | concentrations of carotenoid pigments. Carotenoid |
| your koi will determine if you are giving them the | | | | pigments are the major pigments of the koi’s |
| best care possible. | | | | skin. |
| Koi fish come in many different colors. Some of the | | | | Would you believe that a creature this colorful and |
| major and most seen colors are red, white, black, | | | | graceful is also easy to care for? It’s true! Once |
| yellow, blue and cream. The Japanese used certain | | | | you see how extremely easy these fish are to call |
| terms to describe the colors and traits of koi fish. Koi | | | | your own, you'll be wondering why you didn't start |
| fish breeders have identified and named a large | | | | this hobby sooner. |