In the first cull they keep 25-50 % of the best quality Koi and sell the rest at reduced prices to other hatcheries. During the next 2 months they grow to between 4 -6 inches long. The best 10-40% is kept grown 2 more months to between 6-8 inches long. The final group of select thoroughbreds will be cultivated for another season until they reach 12-18 inches long and are ready for sale. Consequently, the larger the fish, the higher the quality. The truly expensive fish will be 12-18 inches long before being sold.

  

Peace Be Still, Sam

  

Size counts. -The most important factor in determining the value of Koi is in its size. The bigger, the more valuable. Some Koi can get to be a 3 feet long. It appears that depending on their age and under optimum conditions Koi can grow almost an inch per month or faster.

  

Conformation – The next most important factor is shape. The most valuable shape is “torpedo-like”.

  

Skin, color intensity and clarity are also very important in evaluating the value of Koi. There should be no flaws or blemishes in the skin; next intensity, balance and clarity of color pattern will be judged. The more intense, balanced and clear the colors are the higher the value.

  

Peace Be Still, Sam

  

Show quality Koi are expected to have good bloodlines, good body conformation, shiny and unflawed skin, sharp edges and balance in their patterns. These Koi come from show quality parents.

  

Most of us will stock our ponds with pond or ornamental quality Koi but it is interesting to become familiar with the varieties which make up 95% of Japanese Show quality Koi.

  

Peace Be Still Sam

  

1) Pond raised – first most common and least expensive.

  

2) Ornamental quality – second most common and more expensive.

  

3) Show quality – competition breed and quite expensive.

  

Pond quality Koi are available from local pet stores, online, or from local breeders. They have mixed bloodlines, have no papers and are not suitable for competition. But they are very inexpensive and every bit as friendly, beautiful and enjoyable as their more expensive counterparts.

  Peace Be Still , Sam

 
Still as Koi live to be so old and seem to have personalities, eating one of these “jewels of the pond” would be like eating a favorite pet for many people.  Maybe stick to eating your Chicken of the Sea.

 
Peace Be Still Sam

Peace Be Still Sam

  

Kohaku – These are b eautiful white Koi each red markings. No two Kohaku have the same markings, therefore there are various sub-categories which refer to the type of red and white pattern/ The Japanese have named the crispness of the pattern’s edge. It’s called “kiwa”

  

Sanke – In the early 1900′s a new variety of Koi emerged with some unique black markings to the red and white Kohaku. This new category was called Sanke or Sanshowku.

  

Showa – In the 1930′s another new variety of Kohaku developed that featured red and white markings against a jet-black base.

  

These are called the big three as these are the type of Koi you are most likely to see in a Feng Shui inspired garden in Japan or China.

  

Peace Be Still Sam

 
Ai                     indigo colored fish

Aka                  a red colored fish

Bekko              a black and white colored fish

Beni                 a  dark red colored fish

Budo                a grape (dark purple) colored fish

Cha                  a brown koi

Doitsu  a fish without scales also known as mirrored fish

Gin                   a metallic silver fish

Ginrin   a metallic silver fish that is also reflective

Hi                     refers to red spots on a fish

Hikari   a shiny koi

Inazuma            a koi with a lightening pattern

Karasu a black koi

Ki                    a yellow ki

Kin                   a metallic gold koi

Kuchibeni            a koi with red lips (looks like it is wearing lipstick)

Matsuba            a koi with a pine cone pattern down it’s back

Midori  a green koi

Muji                 a koi that is one color all over

Moyo               a patterened koi

Nezu                a grey koi

Orenji               orange koi

Rin                   a carp with scales

Shiro                a white koi

Shoku              koi with many colors

Sumi                 refers to black spots

Utsuri               refers to a reflective koi