Tag: Pondkeeping

Kawarimono is one of those koi categories I find endlessly interesting because it’s essentially the “everything else” classification — fish that don’t fit neatly into the established varieties. I’ve seen stunning Kawarimono specimens at Aquashella that stopped people in their tracks precisely because they were unlike anything with a standard name. For serious koi collectors, this is where you find truly one-of-a-kind fish.

At koi shows and vendor events like Aquashella, Kawarimono always draw a second look. They’re the “catch-all” classification in the koi world — non-metallic koi that don’t fit neatly into any of the fifteen standard recognized varieties. That sounds like a consolation prize, but in practice it means Kawarimono includes some of the most unusual and visually striking koi you’ll ever see. Because they’re produced in smaller numbers and don’t follow predictable patterns, they’re legitimately rare. If you’re the kind of koi keeper who wants something that starts a conversation, Kawarimono are worth knowing about.

A Quick Overview On Kawarimono Koi

Scientific Name	Cyprinus rubrofuscus
Common Names	Koi, Fancy Carp, Nishikigoi, Kawarimono Koi
Family	Cyprinidae
Origin	Japan
Common Colors	Saffron through reddish brown to nearly black
Care Level	Intermediate
Temperament	Social and Peaceful
Lifespan	Approx 30 – 40 years
Compatibility	Other carps and amphibians
Minimum Pond Size	1000 gallons
Pond Set-up	Outdoor water garden with aquatic plants

Kawarimono mainly falls under two groups:

1. Black Koi
2. Solid or single-colored Koi

Therefore, Kawarimono, being the absolute darling, still doesn’t fall under the fifteen other varieties of Koi.

However, regardless of their peculiar features, they are produced in small numbers. Hence, rare.

Black Koi Kawarimono

Black Koi kawarimono is further classified into five different varieties.

Kumonryu

Kumonryu is by far the most prominent Koi of all black Koi varieties which gained prominence in the 1980s. The name Kumonryu means dragon of the nine markings, which is derived from a legend of Dragon Ryu. Ryu was considered a Koi that transformed into a cloud and raced through the sky.

Kumonryu is named after dragons because their bodies are evocative of the metallic coiled bodies of dragons as portrayed in historical arts.

Kumonryu Koi are always scaleless (Doitsu) where the black surface is covered with white markings over the head, fins, and body. Some experts claim such details are reminiscent of the Killer whale pattern. The patterns of Kumonryu vary — from large to wavy-edged chunks of white spread along the flanks and head of the body.

However, the Kumonryu Koi is mainly Doitsu Matsukawabake, meaning that their pattern fluctuates seasonally, depending on the quality and water temperature, forming a black net pattern.

The class of Koi, though majorly scaleless, showcases a group with singles lines of considerable lateral and dorsal scales. However, that’s rare.

Beni Kumonryu

Beni Kumonryu is scaleless Koi with a red pattern over a white and black body.

However, these variants are not always scaleless, rather show a single line of large scales on the lateral and dorsal sides.

The red (Beni) pattern often changes frequently, depending upon the water quality and temperature. Whereas, in winters, it’s natural for Beni Kumonryu to turn completely black. However, as the summer and spring approach, the red (Beni) pattern and white base come out.

Matsukawabakke

Matsukawabakke is a Kumonryu with scales. Legend has it that Matsukawabakke is the result of Kumonryu and Shusui’s interbreeding.

And likely so.

Like its counterparts, Matsukawabakke changes colors frequently during its course of life. Matsukawabakke, in some seasons, can turn totally white or black. However, they exhibit cloudy black patterns in the transition period.

Karasu

The literal meaning of Karasu is ‘crow’ in Japanese.

Karasu is an ancient variety of Koi that showcases black fins and body with a white or orange stomach. However, at times, Karasu shows traces of blue instead of black.

Hajiro

Hajiro is a close relative of Karasu with a white nose and white-tipped pectoral fins that add uniqueness to the pool.

Hageshiro 

Hageshiro is very similar to Hajiro with a little addition of white on the head.

Single-colored

Chagoi

Chagoi is a single-colored uniform brown Koi famous for their distinctive qualities, unusual size, amicability, and amiability.

The word Chagoi is derived from a Japanese word, meaning tea, depicting the true color of this breed.

Chagoi is naturally peaceful that appreciates hand feeding and generous interaction with their owners.

However, to determine the best quality Chagoi, one should look out for the paler variants that are blemish-free, and free of spotting, fading, or blurring. Here is a great video by Dazzle Koi that goes in detail on this great breed.

Soragoi (Plain Gray Blue)

Soragoi is just like common carp, so they are unpopular when it comes to domesticating Koi fish.

Soragoi displays plain blue-gray color and can reach over 30 inches in length. Soragoi is usually very docile and calm and may have a calming effect in your garden ponds.

Ochiba Shigure

Ochiba Shigure is a cross-bred of the brown-colored Chagoi with the grey-blue Soragoi.

Together they form a bi-colored pattern, Ochiba Shigure.

Shiro Muji (White)

Shiro Muji is an all-white Koi that is a result of successful Kohaku spawning. However, in Shiro Muji, the hi is completely absent.

The Shiro Muji is often discarded or thrown into the bargain bin. Nevertheless, the fittest ones are stored and raised into quality Koi.

One of the rarest kind of Shiro Muji is Albinos. They have red eyes, red dorsal fins and tails.

Kigoi (Non-metallic Yellow)

Kigoi or lemon Koi are the non-metallic variants of Koi of yellow or pale orange color. They are flat-shaped and matte-colored with a few exceptions of brighter and metallic skin.

The rarest type of Kigoi is Akame Kigoi, which has red eyes and extremely prized. They have also proven to grow immensely.

Midorigoi (Green)

The variety that exhibits the color green is called Midorigoi. Surprisingly, it’s the only family that shows this color.

Midorigoi are translucent green Doitsu Koi that has black or silver mirror scales.

Formerly, they emerged from a cross between Shusui and a Yamabuki Ogon in the 1960s as a scaleless breed. However, presently, they are sold as the scaled variants of Koi.

Magoi

Magoi has deep bronze scales. However, regardless the color, the Koi seems black from above.

The Magoi is not considered a true breed by some experts. Nevertheless, the legacy of keeping the fish continues.

Matsuba

The matt-scaled non-metallic Matsuba Koi falls in the Kawariumono variety, which are considered rare and pricey.

How to Choose a high-quality Koi

The Kawarimono is not just a type, it’s a whole different variety with various other types of unusual yet stunning Koi fish.

Therefore, the judging criteria for Kawarimono is just the same with any other Koi fish.

The best quality Kawarimono should be deep and solid with a healthy, lustrous body. Also, there should be no signs of spotting, blurring, or fading. If any of these signs appear, the fish is of inferior quality and usually discarded.

Furthermore, the distribution of hues and patterns should be consistent all across the entire body. If you are looking to purchase a Koi online, look for a what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) vendor. NextDayKoi is a great place to get quality Koi at reasonable prices.

FAQs

Kawarimono falls under three categories:

1. Single-colored koi: Kigoi, Benigoi, Shiro Muji.

2. Black Koi: Karasu, Kumonryu, Matsukawabake.

3. Miscellaneous: Matsuba, Midorigoi.

Final Thoughts

Kawarimono, what’s usually considered as left overs or discarded fish are one of a kind with a broad classification of various unconventional yet beautiful fish that are bred all across the world.

Koi pricing is one of those topics that genuinely surprises people when they first look into it. I’ve seen koi at big-box stores for $5 and show-quality nishikigoi at Aquashella that run into the tens of thousands of dollars — and occasionally heard of champion fish selling for millions in Japan. Understanding what drives that range makes the hobby a lot more interesting, and helps you make smarter buying decisions whether you’re a beginner or a serious collector.

Koi pricing spans one of the widest ranges of any animal in the hobby — from a few dollars for feeder koi to a Kohaku that sold for $1.8 million in Japan in 2018. Most pond keepers are operating somewhere in the middle, which is actually a great place to be. I’ve seen koi vendors at Aquashella selling beautiful, healthy fish for $20–$100, and that’s where most hobbyists will spend. What drives the high end is a combination of variety, pattern symmetry, body shape, bloodline, and whether the fish came from a top Japanese breeder. Here’s how to understand what you’re actually paying for.

The most expensive Koi fish sold in Japan was worth $1.8 million in 2018. 

Koi fish are known to adorn garden ponds, restaurant interiors, and lounge space for their beautiful lineage and bizarre coloring. But do you know, how much are Koi fish and what exactly adds to their worth? In this article, I’ll list some mind-boggling factors that determine Koi fish’s cost and overall quality of a Champion Koi.

Why are Koi fish so expensive? (12 Reasons That Explain How Much Are Koi Fish)

There’s no one answer to this question (in fact, that’s why we created this video above from our YouTube channel). The worth of Koi fish highly depends on some obvious factors such as the quality of Koi, colors, and patterns. On the basis of quality and price, Koi fish are usually categorized into three classes;

• Pond raised Koi – The Koi that we raise in ponds are the easiest to find and the cheapest in the market.
• Ornamental quality Koi – The popular category that we raise as ornamental fish, such as Butterfly Koi. These are cheaper than the show-quality Koi fish but a bit pricey than the pond-raised fish.
• Show quality Koi – The highest quality of Koi fish all around the world and the costliest. These are raised for competitions and Japanese Koi shows.

However, not all Koi qualify as the Grand Champion and some might end up in the bargain bin. As an avid Koi enthusiast, I’ll specify some of the greatest reasons for Koi’s unrivaled value.

1. Successful Spawning

Any Koi keeper would agree; despite thousands of Koi eggs during the spawning behavior, only 20% of quality Koi survive, sometime the survival is by chance. The survival chances make Koi more cherished and an expensive pet fish.

But what exactly is a spawning behavior?

Koi Spawning Behavior

The process of spawning in Koi fish happens once a year when male Koi show great interest in the female Koi fish and keep following them for a day or two. Finally, the male Koi, usually in the early morning chase and nudge the Koi fish, and this is how the spawning begins.

During spawning, the female Koi lay thousands of eggs that are then fertilized by interested males immediately.

Now, this is where the quality and high prices come in.

The Egg Stage

Koi eggs stick to whatever they come in contact with. Usually, Koi fish like to deposit their eggs in aquatic plants such as water hyacinth and water lettuce. Therefore, I always encourage plants in a Koi pond if you want to breed them. However, around 20% of the thousands and thousands of eggs usually die of fungus, infertility, or eventually rot to death.

The Hatchlings

Under favorable water conditions, the eggs hatch in around 4-5 days. The hatchlings feed on their yolk sac until they are fully capable to eat food. Nevertheless, 20% of the hatchlings usually die before they are 1 inch long.

The Culling Process

Generally, only 60% of Koi fish reach 1 inch in length and make it through the hatching phase. This is where the farmers start the culling process.

During the process, breeders discard all of the bad and deformed fish into the bargain bin. Hence, the healthy Koi fry feeds on a high-protein diet for around 3-4 weeks for further inspection when they reach around 2 to 3 inches. After a couple of weeks, breeders examine the baby Koi and discard another 15% of Koi into the bargain bin. And so, only the best, high-quality Koi makes it to the Grand Champion Koi list.

After successful tallying of the Koi fish, they are either sold locally or internationally for hundreds to thousands of dollars.

2. Body Conformation or Shape

Novice Koi hobbyists often overlook the conformation or body shape of Koi fish, mainly because they are not aware of its worth.

However, let me tell you;

The quality and cost of Koi fish are highly dependent on its body shape. The award-winning Koi fish is free of any defects and deformation in body shape. The ideal conformation of Koi fish is a torpedo-shaped, symmetrical body with even fins, corresponding to the body.

3. Colors and Patterns Diversity

One thing that outshines Koi is the color variety and fascinating patterns that keep the spectators in awe.

The colors in Koi can be classified into six extraordinary variations ranging from metallic and white to blue, yellow, red, and black. Nonetheless, not all the colors and patterns are as appreciated by Koi owners. Hence, the high pricing.

Also, the depth of Koi skin cells affects the vividness of Koi. That being said, the brighter the Koi, the costlier. 

Therefore, Koi breeders particularly pick the best colors and develop them into a brighter appearance through nutritious food for a heftier price tag.

The Grand Champion Koi that sold for $1.8 million in Japan had sultry red patches on a white body surface that sparkled like diamonds. And so in an enthusiast mind, the cost was justified.

Thus, the rarity and purity of colors and patterns increase the value of Koi fish.

4. The Biosecurity of Koi farms

Experienced Koi breeders maintain strict biosecurity in farms to prevent fish diseases and keep an active protocol for their inventory.

These Koi ponds are usually in remote places to prevent the contamination of water through pathogens, and all of this costs substantial money.

5. The need for a Large Pond

Unlike goldfish, guppies, and other commercial aquarium fish, Koi demands a huge pond for their survival.

The depth and intensity of Koi’s color and luster depend on water quality, therefore, Koi breeders prefer breeding and raising them in large ponds.

Consequently, a Koi farm needs a vast space with sufficient ventilation and filtration that add to its overall yield.

6. The import Costings

No matter what you do and how you do it. Let’s admit this – The quality of Japanese Koi is second to none and unmatchable. Therefore, all countries import show quality Koi from Japan, and this also adds to the ultimate price of Koi fish.

7. Connoisseur’s Craze

I’ll be honest here, it’s a game of supply and demand.

The more the demand, the higher the cost.

People are crazy about Koi. Thus, Koi are expensive. In Japanese culture, Koi is considered a sacred pet that brings good luck and prosperity to the family.

And so, people show immeasurable affection towards Koi. They want it in their garden ponds, large indoor aquariums, and for winning the grand competitions, including the most popular All Japan Grand Koi Competition. Hence, the mad price. Let’s look at some Grand Champion Koi from the show itself over the years. Check out Koi Port Indonesia for more videos:

8. High-quality Koi Luster

High-quality Koi fish are free of blemishes and the skin is lustrous and rich with pigments. Just like you can easily distinguish between cotton and silk. The high-quality Koi can easily be recognized through its shimmery lustrous body.

9. The Overall Personality – Quality & Elegance

The judgment of quality and elegance on the basis of Koi’s personality is an arbitrary choice. However, Koi connoisseurs rely on this factor heavily. High-quality Koi fish are proven to perform exceptionally, be it swimming or socializing (aggressive or slow Koi fish are naturally devalued.)

Also, Koi owners judge the fish by their body movements and how gracefully they flex their bodies in the water. If the Koi fish looks healthier and energetic among the shoal, it is always rated higher. 

10. Extended Breeding time

The breeding of Koi is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Unlike guppies and bettas, Koi breeding needs patience and resilience. Any breeder will at least need 3 to 5 years to nourish and sell the show-quality Koi in the market.

11. Distinctive Features

Breeding Koi fish is a life-changing experience, and breeders put everything at stake to hit the jackpot.

Sometimes, when breeders are being a little adventurous, they might interbreed some of the rarest and quirkiest fish with distinctive qualities. The result is an extraordinary baby koi that manifests in magnificent colors and patterns.

Hence the breeders demand an exceptionally high price for Koi fish with such peculiar qualities.

12. Heritage and Legacy

You would be surprised to know that Koi fish, in their early years, were only bred for food. However, as time passed, breeders started seeing great potential in breeding the fish and making a living out of it. Nowadays, Koi fish are kept for their extravagant patterns and exquisite colors in landscaped ponds and large aquariums.

Did you know?

Even though Koi are commonly called Japanese Carp, they did not originally originate from Japan. Their exact origin is highly debatable by the Koi experts.

Nishikigoi

The carp that we call Koi, is Nishikigoi, which is termed as living jewels or brocaded carp. Nishikigoi possesses wonderful patterns and colors that we adore and love today.

Although Koi is not originated from Japan, Japanese breeders get the credit for fine-turning and breeding them to the remarkable color variations we witness now.

The Big Three

There are 15 major types of Koi but the most popular among them are the three varieties namely, Kohaku, the Sanke, and the Showa. These varieties of Koi fish are commonly called, the big three in the USA and Europe.

What determines a Champion?

Even after years of breeding Koi fish, many breeders still couldn’t master the art of raising a Champion Koi.

According to Koi fish experts, the cost of Koi depends on the diverging intensity and depth of the colors. Also, there is an ideal size for a very expensive Koi fish.

The most prized Koi is not very large. Rather, they are 1.5 feet long with a torpedo-shaped body.

But how do experts judge Koi for a Grand Champion?

Well, they have their ways. However, there are five factors that determine a Champion Koi.

• Overall Body Size
• Shape and Body Conformation
• Patterns
• Color Depth
• Intensity

Overall Body Size

Like in many departments, the bigger the size, the better. The same is the case with Koi fish. 

A larger size Koi fish has reached maturity and thus its full potential. Therefore, the ideal size for Champion Koi is as long as it can handle without compromising its color intensity and depth.

Big Girl, reportedly known as the largest Koi fish to date, weighs 40kg (90lbs) and is 1.2m (4 feet) long.

Shape and Body Conformation

About 60% judging score of a Champion Koi makes up the body shape and conformation of Koi fish (2010 Champion Sanke showed above¹).

For the fish to qualify as a Champion Koi, it should have a long, broad head with a symmetrical tail and pectoral fins. Also, it should have a beautiful streamlined shape with thin bodies.

Any deformities, be it around the eyes, mouth, or fin areas are a minus. Furthermore, fins should be in optimal condition with no fraying or wear and tear.

It is observed that female Koi tend to win majority shows because of their peculiar shape and body conformation.

Patterns

The judgments based on patterns are a bit difficult to understand for novice Koi keepers.

Nonetheless, I’ll make it sound easy-peasy.

On the basis of patterns, we classify Koi fish in several categories. What judges basically look for is the clear and crisp outlines or edges, colloquially known as ‘Kiwa’ (meaning: verge, side, edges).

Therefore, if we speak about Koi, the edges or Kiwa constitute the hi (red) or Sumi (black) patterns. These patterns although seem identical, tell a lot about the quality of the Koi fish.

Patterns, together with color depth and intensity make up 30% of the total judging score of Champion Koi. Let’s look at some examples from The Daily Koi Channel of the All Japan Young Koi Show in 2021.

Where’s the highest quality of Kiwa found?

The big three.

Yes, Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa possess the highest quality of Kiwa, especially the Kohaku varieties where red patterns are adorned on a white surface to illustrate the Kiwa. Kiwa refers to edge of a pattern element.

Besides, the uniformity of colors also counts. For example, even hues of Crimson red or persimmon and orangish-red patterns throughout the body. The Champion quality Koi has a very dense red hue on the sharp edges of the pattern. Also, the barrier of red and white should be crystal clear with no blurring.

Types of Kiwa

Based on super edgy patterns, Kiwa is divided into two types.

1. Kamisori Kiwa: Kiwa with razor-like edges, running through individual scales
2. Maruzome Kiwa: Resembling the outline of a cherry blossom petal, Maruzome Kiwa gives a scalloped appearance to the trailing tip of the red patterns.

Please note that we always consider the trailing edge of the pattern in judging Kiwa. (i.e., the edge nearest to the tail of Koi fish)

The Distinctive Colors

For determining a Champion Koi, Koi experts look for the following color varieties;

1. Pearly white surface with red (hi) patterns and definite outlines, such as Kohaku
2. Pure black body base with white and red hues, such as Showa
3. Peacock like metallic looking, red and orange attractive markings, such as Kujaku

Hinkaku

The overall personality matters.

And this is exactly what the judges assess while choosing a Champion Koi. The general aura of the fish with traits such as vitality, behavior, and overall personality against the norms.

Sometimes, while judging, the ‘seemingly’ healthy but quiet fish might lose the race against the boisterous, energetic, and lively ones.

How to Raise A Prized Pet?

Raising a Champion Koi is not a five-finger exercise, instead, it takes a lot of hard work and patience in raising one.

Quality Food

Premium quality Koi food makes all the difference. Not just quality food but with efficient measurements will help your fish grow and develop vivid colors.

Particularly in summers, when Koi are much hungrier and active, you should increase the frequency of daily feedings. Furthermore, you also notice that Koi will prefer eating food at one time more than the other. So, I recommend scheduling the feedings manually or get an automatic feeder for consistent feedings.

Also, always measure the water temperature manually. 

Recommended Feed Measurements based on water temperature

1. Below 55° F = Feed once a week
2. Below 61° – 65° F = Feed twice a day
3. Bello1 65°- 73°F = Feed thrice a day
4. Over 77°F = feed five times or more per day.

Floating vs Sinking Food: Which is better?

Almost all the Koi owners prefer floating food because it makes less mess. However, in recent years, there is a surge of sinking Koi food as the secret to Japanese jumbo-sized Koi is high-quality sinking Koi food.

Let’s decide on the best type of food based on your preferences.

Floating Food

Let’s admit it! Floating food is fun to watch. Also, you can always hand feed your fish and enjoy the graceful sight of your Koi flexing their slender bodies.

Furthermore, floating food allows you to diagnose health symptoms and carefully examine their odd behaviors. Therefore, I always enjoy giving floating food to my Koi as I get to spend more time with them and catch serious problems before they get worse. But there are cons to everything. Floating food has a lower conversion rate that would cease your Koi’s growth.

Sinking Food

Japanese breeders love sinking food as it stimulates growth and has a higher feed efficiency.

However, you cannot deny the fact that sinking food means lesser interaction with your Koi and the chances of examining or diagnosing health issues are close to none.

Treats to the Rescue

High-quality Koi not only rely on the feed but consume occasional natural treats to grow into healthy and happy Champions.

Therefore, if you’re adamant to hand feed your Koi, you can always choose to offer them yummy treats that would add to their nutritional value, such as orange peels, lettuce. You can also offer a mix of floating and sinking food to enjoy time with your pet and feed them wholesomely.

The Quality of the food affects Water Quality

As an avid Koi keeper, you should know that water quality is the number one factor that keeps Koi healthy and striving. Therefore, it’s imperative to feed your Koi premium-quality food that doesn’t pollute your water quite often. Inferior quality feed also increases the chances of pond scum and cloudy water that is a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi.

Thus, I recommend feeds that do not fall apart quickly with less particulate matter to maintain the water quality and hygiene for your pet.

Where To Buy Champion Level Fish

I’ll be honest, it is very difficult to find champion level koi and most folks can’t afford it. I’ll start with 3 tiers of koi dealers, the best most are going to be able to afford, a high-tier, then an all in Champion level experience. Let’s start with the 1st level.

Level 1 – Next Day

Next Day Koi offers WYSIWYG imported Koi from Japan that will satisfy the wonder and awe many Koi enthusiasts are looking for. You can get lower to mid priced Koi here that are beautiful looking delivered straight to your door. My coupon code also will get you an cool 10% off.

Level 2 – Kloubec

Kloubec Koi represents the next level of Koi FIsh for sale. This seller is a great option when looking for high quality Koi fish over $500. The EBay store will often have adult sized Koi that will show well.

Level 3 – KoiTrips

Are you looking for the experience of a lifetime? Do you want to go to Japan and hand pick your very own champion level Koi from the top breeders in the world? If so, Tim Waddington and his team at KoiTrips are ready to take you on a the VIP experience of a lifetime. Come to Japan, pick the best quality koi in the world, and Tim’s team will do the rest to get it to your home in perfect condition!

Other FAQS

Final Thoughts

Now, the answer to, how much are koi fish is too much 😅. But at least, now you know why they are madly prized and what it takes to make a champion Koi. Next time you’re thinking to feed your valuable pet inferior quality food, think twice, as it might affect its growth and color vibrancy.

This question comes up more than you’d think among pond keepers, and the honest answer might surprise you: scientifically, there’s no universally agreed-upon definition that separates a pond from a lake. I’ve visited water features ranging from small backyard garden ponds to sprawling natural lakes, and the line between them is genuinely fuzzy. What actually matters for fish keeping — depth, surface area, water temperature stability — is far more practical than whatever label you put on it. Here’s what the science actually says and how it applies to the hobby.

Honestly and scientifically, there’s no apparent difference between a lake and a pond. A pond is a small lake, and a lake is a large pond. 

However, some limnologists have categorized ponds and lakes on the basis of surface area and depth, while others have completely denied these traditional hypotheses.

Therefore, the pond vs. lake debate has been around since the 1700s. But still, it’s an enigma.

What is a Pond?

Ponds are small depressions of shallow water that are surrounded by land. Ponds are freshwater bodies that cannot be larger than twenty acres. Any water bodies that are larger than 20 acres will be considered lakes.

Ponds are further categorized into two types,

Permanent ponds

Permanent ponds are all year long. They hold water all year round and provide habitants for a variety of wildlife. If you built a koi pond, this would be an example of a permanent man made pond. You keep it permanent by keeping it running year round. Naturally, it would likely dry out – would would classify it into the other type of pond.

Ephemeral Ponds or Temporary Ponds

These ponds usually form when rain and snowmelt and fill the depression in the ground. The temporary ponds develop during spring and dry up in summers. Hence, a breeding ground for frogs and other amphibians.

There are many ponds that are man-made and constructed for commercial or home use. However, natural ponds form near a swamp, surrounded by land.

Whatever the case may be, ponds have a sensitive ecosystem that is adversely affected by human actions, such as dam constructor, pollution, habitat reduction, and addition of non-native plants and animals to the pond ecosystem.

What is a Lake?

Lake is an inland body of freshwater found in mountains, deserts, near seashores, and in almost every climate or environment.

The size and other dimensions of the lake vary in size, ranging from a few square meters to bigger ones called seas.

Did you know?

The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest lake, covering an area of more than 370,000 square kilometers (143,000 square miles).

Not only in size, but lakes differ in their deepest point as well. From the world’s deepest, Lake Baikal, and the shallow lakes that could allow a person to wade across them, lakes vary in depth greatly.

Did you know?

Lake Titicaca is one of the deepest lakes that is around 3,810 meters (12,500 ft) above sea level. However, the Dead Sea remains the lowest lake, about more than 395 meters (1,300 ft) below sea level. 

Lakes can be open or closed. However, it has been observed that all freshwater lakes are open, allowing the water to leave by a river or other outlet. Closed lakes are proven to be salty, due to the presence of salts and other solids by the process of evaporation.

Like ponds, lakes can either be natural or man-made. 

The Importance of Water to Wildlife

Even though lakes do not receive sunlight enough to allow aquatic life to grow throughout, they provide homes to many birds and animals. The different types of fish grow and thrive in lakes. For example, Sturgeon, a fish that grows 6 meters and weighs around 680 kilograms is usually found in lakes.

Lakes are also breeding grounds for other animals, including bats, mink, turtles, alligators, and beavers.

Not just animals, different types of birds and fish are most commonly found in lakes.

What is the Difference Between the Two?

Like I mentioned earlier, size and depth are proven to be two relative properties that distinguish the two. However, there’s no set area to dictate the difference between lakes and ponds.

When I was in Russia, I had a healthy debate about lakes and ponds with my fellow hobbyists, to which they replied;

“Lake is natural water basin with slow water exchange and pond is shallow artificial water reservoir with an area of not more than 1km2.” It makes complete sense, but still highly questionable.

So, are there any differences between lakes and ponds? The answer is yes, though the line is slightly blurred.

A body of water with its own Microclimate

This is the most noticeable difference between lakes and ponds. The lakes have their own microclimate and they develop their own small waves in gusty conditions, preventing plants from growing right up to the water’s edge.

Contrastingly, ponds produce waves smaller than 12 inches in height.

Has a varied Water Temperature

Water in lakes has independent temperature layers, depending on the depth. However, a pond is a shallow enough body of water that is uniform in temperature throughout.

Size and Depth of Both Bodies of Water

The overall area and depth distinctions define the lakes and ponds. As a general rule of thumb, lakes are usually larger and much deeper than ponds.

In lakes, the sun rays can’t reach the bottom, whereas a pond is a body of water that is shallow enough to receive sun rays at the bottom.

The Presence of Vegetation

Since lakes (aphotic zone) are bodies of water that occupy a large surface area, sunlight doesn’t reach the floor, preventing aquatic plants from growing. According to some Limnologists, lakes allow rooted plants to grow around their edges only.

On the other hand, ponds (photic zone) are shallow bodies of water that allow natural weeds to take roots on the bottom and grow gracefully. As a result, rich vegetation and rooted plants thrive smoothly at the bottom of your ponds, and sometimes the surface.

Temperature During Summers

Temperatures in summers usually define the differences between ponds and lakes. In Limnology, if the water body is deep and laminate into three distinct layers, the water body is considered a lake. The three layers are stratified as;

1. Warm layer on the top
2. The cold layer at the ground
3. A layer of varying temperature in between termed Thermocline.

However, during summers, if a standing water body has one or two weakly defined layers, it is considered a pond.

Effect on Environment

One factor that really sets pond and lake apart from each other is their individual effects on the surrounding environment.

Lakes affect the climate of their surrounding environment. However, ponds are affected by the surrounding ecosystem

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, even though, not scientifically proven, there is a fine line between a pond and a lake. Therefore, the name, lake, or pond is arbitrary and not based on scientific facts. In general, the following differences might help you distinguish between the two.

1. In most cases, lakes are much deeper than ponds.
2. Ponds produce smaller waves around 12 inches in height.
3. Since lakes are deep standing bodies of water, sunlight doesn’t reach the ground which results in poor or no plantation.
4. Unlike ponds, lakes host crocodiles, platypus, and other creatures.
5. The temperature in ponds is relatively uniform than in lakes.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

The differences between a pond and a lake are not drastic but important. Therefore, it’s best to educate yourself before going into the aquatic business.

One fascinating thing about lakes is that they can turn into ponds, marshes, swamps, or worse, dry grounds, if not properly taken care of. 

Hence, whatever you have, maintain its health and take care of the ecosystem to keep it thriving and healthy.

Let’s be honest, backyard ponds look beautiful with all vegetation and aquatic life swirling in circles gracefully. But it’s the pond maintenance that demands arduous hours of labor.

Most pond hobbyists are aware of the fact that an unhealthy pond means an unhealthy ecosystem that is dangerous and detrimental to you and the environment. Therefore, it’s imperative that you do your research and homework before creating your own, beautiful garden ponds.

In this article, I’m putting my years of experience to use and demonstrating seasonal pond maintenance and the recommended steps to follow during each season.

Happy pond keeping!

Seasonal Pond Maintenance

Nature behaves differently in all seasons, and so does your pond. Therefore, you cannot follow the same tips throughout the year. Pond keeping demands in-depth knowledge and research about seasonal pond maintenance and its effects on your aquatic life.

Usually, the type of pond determines its maintenance. However, this article will highlight popular seasonal pond maintenance tips that are particularly apt for spring start-ups to summer pond maintenance.

Videos are always helpful, so for those that prefer to learn through video, here is a great video by anypond below. He’s a UK pond maintenance contractor.

So if you’re new to water gardening, stay tuned to learn the essentials of pond care and maintenance.

Spring

During the spring season, your pond demands to be cleaned and un-winterized.

Or if I may say so, spring pond maintenance is just the opposite of winter preparations. While in winter, you winterize your equipment for the cold, dry days, spring brings joy and life to your ponds and brings your aquatic life back from its long hibernation period.

Here are the ideal easy steps for spring pond maintenance.

1. Check Your Equipment

Check your equipment and make sure they are running properly. Winter is the best time to replace UV bulbs and clean your equipment. Spring is the time to double check to ensure everything is in working order.

2. Feeding Your Fish

Start feeding your pond fish as soon as the temperature hits a steady 50 degrees. I recommend feeding a cold temperature feed until the temperature rises to 60 degrees. After reaching a normal temperature of 60 degrees and above, you can start with the regular feeding program for your pond fish.

3. Remove Accumulated Debris

During the winterization process, your pond accumulates debris and organic waste, including leaves, twigs, fish waste, and grass clippings. Even though the filtration system takes care of the debris, some waste turns into muck and sludge, which are a breeding ground for algae and cause water clarity issues. Therefore, I recommend spooning away the leaves, twigs, and other debris with a net.

Deep cleaning involves draining the pond and washing the surface and rocks. This is more of a common routine in ponds that have gravel. Personally, I prefer bare bottom systems for Koi tanks. On a high end install, a bottom drain and bare bottom mitigates the need to drain clean the pond.

During the cleaning process, you can transfer your fish and aquatic plants in a large tub with proper aeration to avoid inconvenience. As soon as your pond is free of debris and scum, refill it with water and return the fish, plants back.

Fertilizing the aquatic plants

When you put the plants back in the water, don’t forget to fertilize them according to their recommended dosage and needs, i.e., full fertilizing for new plants and maintenance fertilizing for the existing ones.

Adding (nitrifying) beneficial bacteria and cleaning the filters

It is imperative to clean the filters to remove accumulated sediments. Also, to keep your ponds properly maintained, add beneficial bacteria for bacterial colony stimulation.

Summer

The most favorable season for your water garden to thrive is summer.

Summer season begins when the water hits up to 80 degrees and higher. Your fish should be fed generously during this time. However, there are a few things that should be taken into consideration while maintaining ponds in summer.

Stock your pond water with Minnows or other small fish

The reason I emphasize adding Minnows in ponds is mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes can ruin the summer vacations that you’ve been longing for. Therefore, it is recommended to stock your pond with Minnows or other small fish to control the mosquito population. Also, consider larvicides and proper aeration to eliminate potential big problems.

Keep your water source free of grass clippings and other debris

Algae blooms happen the most in summers. Therefore, keep grass clippings, fish waste, and other accumulated debris out of the pond water.

Install aeration system

An effective and cost-efficient aeration system help maintain your pond and keep it clean throughout the year. It also increases oxygen supply by keeping the cooler water on the bottom of the pond, keeping the aquatic life healthy and happy all year long.

Fall

Fall is the season when you need to put extra effort into your pond because it prepares you mentally and physically for the worst season of a garden pond, i.e., winter.

Winter puts most of the life to sleep and therefore, it is recommended to remove the things that winters can damage, including the pond filters, pumps, aerators, and fallible plants. If there are fish in your garden ponds during winter, you can install the pond equipment momentarily to de-ice the water.

Here are some things you can do to maintain your water garden during fall.

Install leaf netting

Fall means lots of leaf shedding, and the accumulated leaves are just unwanted debris for your pond.

Therefore, it’s important to install lead netting to prevent the leaves from falling into the pond. Also, I recommend trimming and pruning the dead foliage of your aquatic plants just above the soil.

Clean excess debris

Accumulated leaves and fish waste affects your pond’s oxygen level and stresses the aquatic life. Therefore, always clean and remove excess debris using a hand net. If the accumulated debris is hard to reach, I recommend using a pond vacuum.

Switch to fall-friendly Fish food

It’s best if you switch your fish to the fall-friendly pond fish food that easily digests in cooler temperatures and sustains your fish in the dormancy period.

When the water temperature drops below 50 degrees, I recommend Wheatgerm food three times a week, that too, only if your fish consume it in a 5 minute period. However, when the temperatures fall below 40 degrees, stop feeding your fish until spring time.

Install de-icer and proper aeration kit

In freezing temperatures, de-icing prevents harmful gases to accumulate under the ice and maintains healthy oxygen levels. De-icers allow oxygen levels to remain healthy and saturated in the pond by keeping a hole open in the ice.

Therefore, de-icers and aeration kits are a must-have for your pond during fall and winter.

Winter

Winter is the season that adversely affects your pond fish and clearly, it’s the worst season for your water gardens.

In such hard times, only two tips keep the pond game going. The first and foremost tip is to stop feeding your aquatic life once the water temperature drops below 50 degrees. The second life-saving tip is to install a floating pond de-icer to allow toxic gases from organic decomposition to escape without causing any harm to your pond. De-icers are vital for maintaining your pond in winter because breaking the ice would potentially kill the pond fish.

Here are some other tips you can follow for winter pond maintenance.

Prepare Submersible Pond Pumps

First of all, check the submersible pond pumps if they are in good working condition.

The pond pump should not be lower than 1 foot — this ensures the circulation of surface water solely throughout the garden pond. The pond pump also helps in marinating warmer temperatures at the bottom of the pond where the pond fish hibernates¹.

I recommend running the submersible pump continuously until the temperature drops to 10 C or 50 F

Reduced fish feeding

Like I said before, reduced feeding does wonder as it doesn’t allow debris and waste to accumulate at the bottom of the tank. Also, during winters, fancy goldfish should be kept indoors for their survival and distribution of food.

Reduce the feeding when the water drops down to 44 F to 50 F as fish can only digest low protein foods, such as wheat germ. As soon the water drops to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the fish start to hibernate and so you will need to stop feeding your fish entirely.

Therefore, it is recommended to monitor the pond water temperature so you know when to stop feeding the fish.

Protect Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants such as pond lilies cannot tolerate harsh weather during winter. Therefore, some preventive measures should be taken for their protection.

1. It’s recommended to remove Canna lilies from your pond. You can replant them in the green house instead for protection.
2. In the case of small ponds, be sure to cut the heads of any marsh reeds before they shed their seeds in the pond.
3. Install biological filters in your pond to keep the fish healthy during winter.

Floating ball to prevent freezing

One low cost way to maintain a pond during winter is to use the floating ball. The floating ball prevents pond freezing and maintains the gaseous exchange by movement.

However, in some areas where the weather is extremely cold and dry, it may be best that you install an inline pond heater to maintain a desirable temperature for the pond. Nevertheless, an inline heater is a costly option. Some Koi Fish enthusiasts will move their prize winning fish indoors for the season to a holding tank. This is another good option in extreme winter climates.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Garden ponds not only make everything look beautiful in your home interiors, but they also turn your home more earth-friendly. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep your ponds clean, healthy, and properly maintained throughout the year.

I’ve given you some great tips on how to keep your garden ponds clean, healthy, and properly maintained. If you have any other helpful pond maintenance tips that we haven’t covered here today, please share them in the comments below!

Pond scum is one of those problems that sneaks up on you — the water looks fine one week, and the next you’ve got a layer of green or brown slime coating the surface. I’ve dealt with it in my own outdoor setups, and I can tell you it’s almost always a nutrient issue at the root. Once you identify what’s feeding it, the solution becomes a lot more straightforward than most guides make it out to be.

Pond scum is almost always a nutrient problem first and an algae problem second. The algae is just taking advantage of conditions you’ve created — too much fish waste, overfeeding, decomposing leaves sitting at the bottom. I see pond keepers chase it with treatments and UV sterilizers when the real fix is cutting off the nutrient source. That said, once you’re in the middle of a bloom, there’s a smart order of operations to get things back under control. Here’s what actually works, starting with root causes.

In this article, I’ll discuss the causes of pond scum, types of different algae, and preventive measures to control pond scum in your garden ponds.

Causes of Pond Scum

The causes of pond scum are the high level of specific nutrients, excessive daylight, and warm temperatures.

Excess nutrients, including fish waste, decaying vegetation, and fertilizers, can enter the water and feed algae, resulting in rapid multiplication of algae.

Excessive daylight is also the prime cause of pond scum, as clear shallow ponds are the breeding ground for algae forms.

Low levels of oxygen and warm temperature are also the culprits of pond scum.

To cater to these causes, pond or fountain filters must be properly maintained with the right size to prevent pond scum.

Also, limiting the number of nutrients that enter your pond should be controlled. Try to manually skim the debris and waste from a pond and remove the algae. You can also install an effective filtration system to prevent scum.

Direct sunlight adds to the pond scum. Therefore, pond dye and aquatic plants, including water iris or water lilies, should be added to reduce algae growth.

Types of Algae

There is a variety of pond algae. However, not all of them are harmful to your ponds. Some algae are beneficial that clings on the sides of your pond, producing oxygen during the day and utilize nutrients in the water. Furthermore, they provide nutrition to your pond fish.

Pond algae are divided into three primary forms; filamentous, macrophytic, and planktonic.

Filamentous Algae

Filamentous algae (Picture Source), also hair-like algae, are the most common types of algae, eerie filaments, and attach themselves to the pond’s bottom floor or rocks and aquatic plants. When the filamentous algae grow rapidly, it breaks free and floats on the surface in the form of thick algae mats or pond scum.

Filamentous algae is further classified into spirogyra, Cladophora and Pithophora. 

The prevention and control of filamentous algae mats in garden ponds are easy, provided the proper treatment and early diagnosis. Depriving the filamentous algae with favorable conditions, such as nutrients and temperature, helps to control their growth and reduce the chances of potential damage to your pond and aquatic plants.

Chara

If there is a horrible onion-like smell in your pond, this is likely due to the presence of Chara algae.

Chara these freshwater algae forms grow on the bottom of the pond floor. Chara is usually misunderstood as a weed. However, it lacks roots and does not grow above the water surface.

Oscillatoria

The red-purple or bluish tint in your pond is because of Oscillotoria.

It’s freshwater, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) that thrive in hot water springs. Oscillatoria forms blue-green mats on the bottom of the water surface. However, when they multiply, provided favorable conditions, they release and float at the water surface, making the water appear brackish.

Planktonic/Microscopic Algae

The normal production or presence of Planktonic algae is healthy for your pond as they supply your pond with dissolved oxygen, mandatory for the health of your pond and aquatic life.

However, during summers, the planktonic algae bloom, giving your pond a pea-soup coloration, and that’s when you should take preventive measures to control the plankton algae.

Since they are unicellular and multiply rapidly, you cannot detect them with your naked eye. Some common types of Planktonic algae are Chlamydomonas, chlorella, and euglena species.

How To Control Algae Naturally?

If you’re someone who doesn’t want to use chemicals, there are natural ways to control algae. The most effective ones are good water quality, pond aeration, the addition of beneficial bacteria, and the use of ultrasonic algae control.

Aeration

Ponds experts recommend using pond aeration methods to improve the overall appearance and health of the pond. Aeration will also curb pond scum growth.

To facilitate pond aeration for large ponds, the use of a land-based compressor is encouraged, which boosts the level of dissolved oxygen in your garden pond.

For smaller to mid-sized Koi or Goldfish ponds, you can utilize aeration pumps, fountains, or an oxygenator.

Adding Beneficial Bacteria

The bacteria level in your pond should be maintained to control the situation.

1. It is recommended to add beneficial bacteria in ponds where the bacterial count is low
2. You can add the bacteria in liquid or powder form. Either way, they have the same function, i.e., to eliminate the pond algae and pond scum by lowering the nutrient content of the water
3. Beneficial bacteria works the best to maintain the cleanliness of your pond if supported by the aeration method. Therefore, pond aeration is the primary requirement. Many DIY Pond Kits have both a filtration and aeration component.

Ultrasonic Algae Control

An advanced technology that has done wonders to control specific types of algae and pond scum in your pond is the use of ultrasonics.

1. The process works by sending sound waves through water that vibrates every algae in the pond. The vibrations eventually damage the algae cell, and it dies
2. Ultrasonic algae control tends to eliminate the algae alone. However, it can also be integrated with beneficial bacteria and aeration to control the algae blooms and pond scum.

A common install is an Aquascape IonGen for smaller ponds. Large ponds and lakes would look more into a commercial solution, of which KLM Solutions is the go to brand.

Product Recommendations to prevent Algae Blooms

I have faced the problems of algae blooms and pond scum in my garden ponds, and so I know how badly it affects your pond ecosystem and the overall appearance.

However, I’ve tried two products and never looked back since then. I recommend using API Pond- Zyme Sludge destroyer and Cabin Obsession Pond Sludge remover to prevent algae blooms in your pond. Both work great against pond scum

But please be informed that not all ponds have the same response to the treatment 

API Pond-Zyme Sludge Destroyer

If you own a Koi or Goldfish Pond, you’d know that springs bring generous algae blooms and a foul smell that is a distraction for your visitors.

Luckily, the API pond-zyme sludge destroyer works like a charm in gulping the sludge and improves water clarity. It has pond cleaner with natural pond bacteria and barley, which breaks down fish waste and destroys pond scum and sludge effectively.

If you keep using this product religiously, I reckon it would save you a lot of money on pond maintenance and cleanliness.

Cabin Obsession Sludge Remover

If you’d like to deepen your pond naturally without dredging, Cabin Obsession Pond Sludge Remover is a total steal!

It removes around 2 inches of sludge by releasing concentrated enzymes and bacteria that gulp the organic waste and destroy the muck, up to 2 inches per month. The product is all-natural and hence safe to use for fish and other aquatic life.

Cabin Obsession Pond Sludge Remover is the most affordable solution for your pond’s maintenance needs for large ponds. It comes in a bucket that would last you approximately 10 months of regular pond maintenance.

This allows you to get rid of the foul-smelling odors, ugly shorelines, and layers of pond scum with just a bucket of goodness.

FAQS

Final Thoughts

Pond scum can be a nuisance if you don’t treat it timely and maintain your pond’s ecosystem. Don’t forget to aerate your ponds and add a large biofilter to keep healthy water quality and less stressful for your aquatic life. Also, the products you use should be environmentally friendly and organic, safe to use in ponds and lakes. If you have any questions about dealing with pond scum, leave us a comment below.

Picking pond fish isn’t as simple as grabbing whatever looks good at the garden center. Climate is the variable most people underestimate — a fish that thrives in a mild-winter climate can die in a harsh one, and I’ve seen that mistake made more times than I can count. There are also a couple of very popular fish that regularly end up in ponds and simply don’t belong there. In this guide I’ll walk through the 7 pond fish I’d actually recommend and explain why a few of the crowd favorites are worth skipping.

The 7 Best Pond Fish

Using my years of experience, I’m listing the 7 best pond fish that stood the test of time, regardless of weather conditions or other circumstances.

1. Koi

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Koi are the king of ponds.

With their beautiful, colorful, and cylindrical bodies flexing gracefully, the Koi fish is a treat for sore eyes.

As for outdoor ponds, Koi is a perfect fit since it tends to grow very large if kept in optimal water conditions. Also, they are robust and strong fish that can withstand extreme winter and summer. However, while keeping Koi, consider the regular maintenance and upkeep of your ponds as they are much larger and difficult to maintain as compared to aquariums.

If you’re considering Koi for your garden ponds, you should know the following factors.

Cost

In the case of Koi, “The more costly, the rarer and less defective.”

Koi fish range from $15 for young to thousands of dollars for adult Koi or rare fish species. However, the price makes up for their extended lifespan. Koi, in healthy ponds, can live generally 25 – 35 years, provided that they are given nutritious food and quality water.

Size

Koi needs an Enriched Diet and a large environment to grow healthily and happily.

The ideal size for Koi ponds should be over 1000 gallons and three feet deep to provide the fish with everything they need. Most Koi Pond Kits are designed to build koi ponds to these specs

Additionally, if you’re planning to keep a shoal of fish, you will probably need a pond with over 3000 gallons.

Filtration System

The best thing about Koi is its hardiness against extreme conditions.

However, still, they are living beings that demand basic care and attention, you will need some additional installments, such as a pond filter to keep your pond Koi-friendly.

Protection in the Water

Koi are largely susceptible to predators and so you will need to cover your garden ponds with netting or electric fencing.

The best budget-friendly option is the addition of aquatic plants to provide shelter from the direct scorching heat of the Sun or deterring predators. Have your pond at least 3 feet deep is also great at keeping predators from getting to your prized pets.

That’s pretty much the gist of what you should consider before buying Koi fish for your garden ponds.

Still interested? I recommend purchasing your beautiful and healthy Koi with Next Day Koi that offers a broad variety of Koi at affordable prices.

2. Goldfish

Like Koi, Goldfish also appreciates wholesome, well-aerated outdoor ponds.

Goldfish are small, hardy fish that does well in extreme temperatures. Hence, the perfect choice for your garden ponds. I recommend keeping the following important points in mind before going for Goldfish for your garden ponds.

Proper Location

Since Goldfish are cold water fish, you should provide a decent shade to your pond for maintaining the water temperature. However, in colder climates, there’s no need to cover the ponds as the warmth of sun perfectly balances the pond environment.

Size

The size of your outdoor pond should accommodate around 20 gallons of water per goldfish. Since Goldfish are smaller in size than Koi, they do pretty well in medium-sized ponds. However, make sure the fish swims freely without bumping into other mates or ornaments.

For Goldfish, a pond depth of 18 inches is all that is needed. They will do well in 3 feet deep ponds, they are just less demanding then Koi.

Water filter system

A good filtration system is essential for Goldfish ponds that deal with waste or leftovers to avoid spikes in toxic nutrient levels and stress. Most pond kits come with high quality filtration systems.

Mates

Goldfish are very social, docile, and amiable creatures that relish the presence of other fish. However, if you have got a pond already occupied with Koi, it’s better to examine the size of your Koi before getting Goldfish, as mature Koi sized with juvenile Goldfish usually don’t get along with and might end up killing them.

All in all, Goldfish need care, love, and dedication with water temperatures around 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit to thrive in your outdoor pond. Personally, my favorite is the Shubunkin Goldfish.

3. Chinese High-Fin Banded Sharks

High Fin banded sharks are a popular freshwater fish species that are extremely unique and a must-have for pond keepers. And even though their name might scare you, trust me!

High Fin Banded sharks are not sharks at all!

There are your usual algae-eating freshwater fish with just a single row of pharyngeal teeth. We call them sharks because they have a long sharp-like fin at the top, which gives them a striking resemblance to the mighty sharks.

However, know that they require a larger pond area as they grow about 1.35 m (4 ft 5 in). Furthermore, the markings on High Fin banded sharks are majestic, making it a rewarding choice for your ponds.

They are difficult to find locally. I recommend purchasing online through one of the Best Online Fish Stores on my list.

4. Golden Tench

If you want friendly mates in the pond for your Koi, you should try Golden Tench (Source Pic).

Commonly known as the doctor fish, Golden Tench makes sure no fish in the pond falls ill. Legend has it, that the skin of Golden Tench contains an antibiotic that protects other fish from diseases.

I don’t claim that’s true, however, I know for the fact that Golden Tench cleans up water, which ultimately helps other fish to remain healthy in the pond.

Also, Golden Tench are tough fish and their life expectancy is around 15 – 20 years, making it a great fit for your garden ponds.

Here are some things you should consider before buying Golden Tench.

1. The depth of your pond should be at least 28 inches
2. Your pond should hold a good amount of aquatic plants to keep Golden Tench happy
3. It’s never a good idea to overcrowd your pond when keeping Golden Tench

5. Sturgeon

Sturgeon, an easy-going fish that may reach the age of over 50 or 100 years. They are popular in larger ponds and waterscapes.

At first glance, Sturgeon can be misunderstood with sharks – stronger and bigger with their mouths, underside. However, they are sensitive to sharp gravels and sand in the bottom of the pond.

The Sturgeon requires a large pond with proper filtration because they prefer a strong current. Also, a sturgeon needs special feed that sinks to the bottom with a strong odor that looks like natural feed.

If you’re thinking to get sturgeon as a beautiful pet for your ponds, here’s what you should consider.

1. Keep the bottom of the pond clean because Sturgeons are bottom inhabitants, and so the accumulated dirt may cause gasification, causing harm to the fish.
2. The Sturgeons require frequent feedings. They cannot digest most plant proteins so they need a high fish meal or shrimp meal content.
3. Your pond should have a depth of at least 50 inches with minimal aquatic plants

All in all, there’s a rule of thumb to determine your pond size for Sturgeons; keep the pond size 10 times larger than the size of your fish to ensure maximum safety and health.

6. Minnows

Minnows (picture source) are small fish that are great for smaller or patio pond setups. For large ponds, if you want your other pond fish to feed on something naturally, Minnows are a good choice. Minnows are an excellent source of food for other bigger pond fish that can live up to seven years and keep your pond ecosystem clean by eating larvae, reducing algae growth, and adding movement into your pond.

Out of various types of Minnows, the fathead minnow and white cloud mountain minnow the best suited for outdoors.

Fathead Minnow

Fathead Minnows display an appearance of light green or grey with a hazy spot on their dorsal fin. Fathead Minnows feed on insects, crustaceans, and zooplankton (algae), keeping your ponds clean and inviting for other fish. Therefore, they are suitable for outdoor ponds where the growth of algae is at its peak. Fathead Minnows are hardy creatures and can withstand extreme temperatures.

White Cloud Minnow

White cloud minnows are the smallest minnows you would ever find that grow up to 1.5 inches only. With their shiny green appearance and bright red fins, they add a moving effect to your backyard ponds.

Aquarists and pond owners usually keep white cloud minnow in ponds meant for frogs to be bred. White cloud minnows are omnivorous and feed on insect larvae and other aquatic plants.

Even though minnows are usually used for bait in garden ponds, there are a few things you should consider while choosing Minnows.

1. Minnows need plenty of Oxygen. Hence, installing an oxygenator or waterfall is highly recommended
2. Minnows are tiny fish and so they don’t need large ponds to survive
3. Add lots of aquatic plants to provide shelter for your Minnows and to maintain the water temperature.
4. Occasional food and treats increase the likelihood of fish survival. You can feed them fish flakes every once or twice a week

7. Guppies

Guppies are small, bright fish species that thrive in outdoor pond as well as an aquarium.

Despite their small size, Guppies take up a lot of space for nonstop swimming hours. Since guppies are tropical fish, they enjoy warm waters with a temperature tolerance of up to 68°F (20°C). Therefore, your garden pond would keep them happy as long as it’s not chilly outside.

The peak months to keep your Guppies in the outdoor pond is between April and October when the water is warm enough to keep the fish healthy.

Even though you can keep Guppies in aquariums, they enjoy garden ponds as they are avid and active swimmers. Another advantage to keeping Guppies in ponds is that they receive more sunlight and nutritious food, keeping their skins bright and more colorful than ever.

Therefore, if you love small pond fish that add life to your pond, I suggest that you go for Guppies. There are a few things you should know about before considering Guppies as your pond inhabitant.

1. Guppies enjoy clean water and so, the water filter is a must
2. If you’re looking for long-term investment, note that they might not be the best choice because of their low life expectancy — 1 to 3 years
3. Guppies are small fish species, but they require ample space for swimming around the pond, which makes them highly suitable for pond life
4. Guppies are easy prey for the predators. Much larger pond fish will eat them
5. You would need a fishnet to inspect the Guppies for potential diseases or overall health

What You Should Avoid

I know you might not agree with my disapproval of these fish species because they are popularly kept in garden ponds for so long.

Know that it’s not that I’m completely against keeping these fish species, it’s just that I don’t find it suitable for pond life.

1. Fancy Goldfish

Fancy goldfish like Orandas have long, flowy fins with celestial color patterns to keep the visitors in awe. However, No matter how ‘fancy’ it gets, keeping fancy variants in ponds is a no-no.

I’ll tell you why.

Fancy goldfish are known for their slow, clumsy nature which is ill-suited for outdoor ponds, especially if you have other fish in the pond, such as Koi or single-tailed goldfish. Koi and non-fancy Goldfish will outcompete Fancy Goldfish for food. They are slow swimmers and will get left behind, starving for food. They are also highly prone to infections and diseases.

All in all, their fins are delicate that are easily damaged by other pond fish.

Therefore, I strictly advise you to avoid fancy goldfish and pick other hardy counterparts.

2. Catfish

Keeping aquatic plants in ponds is every aquarist’s dream, and so is mine.

Which is what makes Catfish a bad fit for a pond. That’s because they are voracious eaters and destroy aquatic plants, turning the water cloudy with debris and plant waste.

FAQS

Final Thoughts

Fish are graceful, scaly creatures that add colors to your backyard ponds. Pond fish, despite being healthy and hardy, need some extra and special care regarding their habitat and food.

In this article, I’ve listed seven of the best pond fish species with their recommended care to add value to your pond.

Koi keeping is a hobby I have a deep appreciation for — the depth of variety in these fish is genuinely remarkable. When I attend shows like Reefapalooza, the pond side of the hobby always draws a crowd, and for good reason. The patterns, the color combinations, the sheer size these fish can reach — it’s a completely different experience from keeping tropical fish, and understanding the varieties is the first step to picking the right koi for your pond.

Koi keeping is a hobby within a hobby, and once you go down that rabbit hole it can get seriously deep. I’ve seen vendors at Aquashella selling single fish for thousands of dollars — and the buyers know exactly what they’re looking at. The variety of koi is genuinely staggering, from the classic Kohaku with its white body and red pattern to the metallic Ogon to the butterfly koi that divide opinion in the hobby. What most beginners don’t realize is how different show-quality Japanese koi are from the inexpensive pond-store fish — the bloodlines and growing conditions matter enormously. Here are 11 of the most popular varieties worth knowing, whether you’re starting a pond or shopping more seriously.

Top 11 different types of Koi fish Varieties

There are over a hundred Koi varieties. However, I’m listing down 11 of the most popular varieties of Koi fish that have taken the fishing world by storm. Below is a quick infographic. You can see the full site graphic here.

1. Gosanke

When I speak of Koi fish, my mind automatically shifts and pulls me in the direction of Gosanke.

And I’ll tell you why.

In the world of Koi, nothing beats Gosanke since this Koi variety is granted the highest status among all the varieties. The family of Gosanke Koi includes three popular Koi varieties and that’s the reason we call Gosanke the “big three”.

Gosanke Koi is a diverse group of the world’s best koi fish including, Kohaku Koi, Taisho Sanshoku or Taisho Sanke, and Showa Sanshoku, all of which are Grand champion winners. The signature colors of Gosanke Koi are red (Hi), black (Sumi), and solid white (Shiroji), where red and white are common among the three varieties. 

Let’s dissect the characteristics of the three varieties of Gosanke koi fish (Kohaku, Sanke, Showa).

2. Kohaku

If you’re an avid Koi keeper, you know that Koi keeping begins and ends with Kohaku.

Kohaku, which was once known as Sarasa appeared 200 years ago. Its distinctive characteristic was the red color that made it pop out in the pool of fishes.

Now any Koi variety that is graced with red color is judged on the basis of the Kohaku pattern, which is loved by Koi enthusiasts all around the world.

Kohaku Appearance

Note: There’s no Sumi in Kohaku Koi

The contemporary Kohaku Koi fish has a solid white (shiroji) body covered with red (hi or beni) markings. However, when the Koi fish is young, the base color (shiroji) may appear translucent or pinkish. The translucency of Shiroji in young Koi fish is considered ideal as the high-quality Shiroji (white) develops with the time that can be seen in Koi competitions. For Koi hobbyists, the white base color holds more importance than the patterned red (hi) because a stunning base color makes the red patterns stand out in the crowd.

As far as the patterns are concerned, the only color is red (hi or beni). However, beni can further be classified into two hues under some circumstances. The most popular and common color of beni is orange-red or purple-red. The color can be transformed into a deep scarlet by maintaining water quality and good nutritional Koi fish food with the right amount of color enhancers.

Things to look for

When choosing among a large batch of Kohakus, these are the things to look out for the perfect and healthy fit.

1. Choose the Koi fish with red (beni) on the head that only goes down about as far as the nostrils
2. The eyes of Kohaku should be clear with no red markings. However, recent research shows that red can cover one eye but never both the eyes
3. The base or shiroji should be milky or snowy white with no yellow coloration
4. The hi around tails and fins should be less
5. The interior of Hi should have no hues of Shiroji
6. The quality or depth of beni should be thick; the thicker the Beni, the better

3. Taisho Sanke

This winning breed of Koi fish is a bit confusing to many neophytes because of the three different names; Sanke, Taisho Sanke, and Taisho Sanshoku.

Whatever the name may be, they all represent Taisho Sanshoku. However, the most common name for this Koi fish breed is Sanke, and the most appropriate is Taisho Sanshoku. Sanshokumeans tricolor in Japanese, indicating three different colors of Sanke, particularly white, black, and red.

Simply put, Sanke Koi is a solid white (shiroji) Koi fish with red (hi, beni) and black (Sumi) markings. 

Taisho Sanke appearance

To find a Taisho Sanke that is both healthy and happy, you need to choose a healthy Kohaku. The Kohaku Koi sets the standard for a wholesome Sanke. The clearer the white (shiroji), the healthier the Sanke Koi.

The base color of Sanke Koi fish is shiroji (solid, creamy white), which begins at the nose and extends to the tail and fins. The Hi on Sanke is a deep-orange shade rather than Cardinal red. Sanke possesses large, reddish-orange spots that make their color pattern appealing with shiroji between the patches of Hi.

Whereas, the Sumi tends to be the rarest color on Sanke Koi. The Sumi (black) on Sanke are comparatively smaller than the Hi or Beni, making it a secondary color, while Beni or Shiroji are primary.

Things to look for

1. Shiroji should be clean, bright, and not discolored
2. Sumi should appear as round patches and should be only present above the lateral line
3. The head should have no Sumi
4. On Sanke, the red should take up to 70% of Koi, the black about 10%, and the rest should be Shiroji
5. Avoid Sanke with lots of small, peppery like Sumi markings. It’s a sign of poor quality Koi fish
6. The fins should be all-white or partial white with black stripes

4. Showa Sanshoku

Novice Koi keepers often confuse Showa Sanshoku with Sanke because of the uncanny resemblance between the two types of Koi.

Showa Sanshoku is a tri-colored Koi variety with Sumi as the dominant color. In short, Showa is a black Koi adorned with white (Shiroji) and red (Hi) patterns.

Appearance

Appearance-wise, Showa can be confused with Sanke because of the same colors. However, Sanke is graced with a white base that does not go beyond the lateral line or onto the head. Alternatively, Showa possesses a black skin that shows through Shiroji and Hi.

Also, one biggest difference between sanke-showa is the patterns of Showa wrap around.

The Showa is further classified into seven different types of koi according to their body markings.

1. Hi Showa with dominant red and black and very little Shiroji (white).
2. Kindai Showa with 40% white or more, and varying amounts of Hi and Sumi.
3. Old style Showa is mostly black with scarce Shiroji and Hi as a secondary color.
4. Doitsu Showa has a shortage of scales except for some broad scales.
5. Kin Showa has a gold, metallic sheen that sparkles.
6. Gin Rin Showa has a silver metallic sheen. However, there are some Koi varieties with a combination of gold and silver sheen. The class of Koi is known as Kin Gin Rin.
7. Ai Showa has blue or deep indigo speckles over the body.

What to look for

1. Thick base color with a lustrous appearance
2. Sumi extends along the body length and extends into the fins moderately
3. Red in Showa is strong and dense, particularly on the face, back, and tail region
4. The pattern should be evenly distributed and easy on the eyes with sharp edges between the patterns

5. Utsurimono

Utsurimono belongs to the same family as Showa Sanshoku. They are graced with a black coat and divided into further categories according to the color of their body markings.

Utsurimono possesses a non-metallic black color mixed with any secondary color, producing beautiful interlacing patterns.

Fun fact: Utsurimono was once considered a defective Showa Koi that lacked Hi (red) coloring. However, over the years, Koi enthusiasts have started to admire and adore this majestic Koi breed.

Appearance

Like other varieties of Koi, Utsurimono is defined by its distinctive color patterns that leave the fish lovers in awe.

Appearance-wise, Utsurimono falls under three primary varieties.

1. Ki Utsuri have a black coat with yellow as an accent color
2. Hi Utsuri, as the name suggests, Hi utsuri has a black coat accentuated with a scarlet color.
3. Shiro Utsuri has black skin with crystal white as the accent color. Also, the base of the pectoral fins of Shiro Utsuri is black.

What to look for

1. The Sumi of Utsurimono should cover the nose, pectoral fin joints, and side faces
2. Always look out for four common patterns on the head of Utsurimono, which are the lightning strike, the small black patches, the two distinctly different black patches, and the heavy black pattern. These patterns are then separated by the accent color of the variety
3. The accent color should be properly distributed as if the black base is wrapped around the accent colors

6. Hikarimono

Koi fish are known for their bizarre colors but not all Koi fish show various colors at once. There’s a variety of Koi that shows only one color which is known as Hikarmono or Ogon Koi.

The Ogon Koi can be of any color ranging from yellow, red, orange, platinum ogon, and cream. All these Koi colors can either be regular or metallic. However, the most common colors that the Ogon Koi comes in are white and yellow.

To be sure if you have a pure breed Hikarimono, identify its colors. If there’s more than one color, it’s not a pure breed of Ogon Koi. Suppose you have a platinum ogon, it should only possess one color i.e., platinum. If the color of your Platinum Ogon is not uniform, then it’s not purebred.

Hikarimono is a hardy Koi fish with a greater lifespan than other varieties. Hence, it’s low-maintenance and easy to breed.

Hikarimono Koi can be classified into 3 sub-categories.

1. Hikari-Moyo is a metallic breed with patterns
2. Hikari-Utsuri is a metallic variant of Utsurimono
3. Hikari- Muji is a metallic version of Mujimono

7. Kawarimono

The meaning of Kawarimono in Japanese means “Oddballs” and so Kawarimono is a classification of a variety of Koi that are non-metallic and don’t fit into other classes.

The Kawarimono Koi comes in three groups.

Single-colored

The Koi breeds that fall under the single-colored category are called Benigoi, where the Hi (red) covers almost the entire body that looks like a giant goldfish.

The Single-colored Koi breed features a uniform color tone with red or white-tipped fins and a voluminous body shape.

Black

Koi varieties with black color display deep and even Sumi on fins or body. The four main varieties of Koi are.

 a. Karasu has black fins and a body with an orange or white tummy

b. Hajiro has a black coat with a white nose and white-tipped fins

c. Hageshiro has a white head to the color combination

d. Youtsujiro has white fins

Other Types

Other odd Koi varieties are Midorigoi (green-colored) and Matsuba Koi (red Koi with dark scales).

8. Gin rin

In a Koi fish pond, all that glitters is Gin rin.

Gin Rin or Kin Gin Rin is more like a scale-type reference, which means silver scales. Therefore, Gin Rin have glittery scales that resemble floating diamond in water ponds.

The color of the Gin Rin scales highly depends on the base color of Koi fish. For example, the Gin Rin reflects golden color when they cover red base (Hi) and silver while covering black or white skin.

Gin Rin Koi is different from Hikarimono and metallic variety of Koi because Gin Rin are metallic scales whereas, the Hikarimono and metallic variety display a shiny, lustrous coat.

There are four types of Gin Rin Koi.

1. Diamond Gin Rin is the most common type with a crackled glass-like appearance
2. Beta Gin is less common and the surface of skin sparkles like that of a mirror
3. Pearl Gin is the most unusual type of Gin Rin with raised shiny deposits on the center of scales
4. Kado Gin Rin is the least preferred type of Koi

9. Doitsu

Doitsu Koi are a modern addition to the Koi family. It is a crossbreed of Wagoi and European Caprinus Carpio Carpio with little to no scales.

However, in terms of scales, the Doitsu Koi can be divided into two types of Koi.

1. The leather carp with little or no scales on the body
2. The mirror carp with a row of enlarged scales on the lateral line and two lines running alongside the dorsal fin

Furthermore, the types of scales in Doitsu Koi fish can be divided into three types.

1. Kawi Goi
2. Kagami Goi
3. Yoroi Goi

Pto Tip: In competitions, the Doitsu Koi is usually beat out in shows by the scaled Koi varieties.

10. Butterfly

The butterfly Koi is one of the most popular and beautiful varieties of Koi. It’s a shame that it’s considered a fake breed of Koi fish by the Japanese, which is the reason it’s more famous in the USA than in other parts of the world.

The butterfly Koi is the descendant of Goldfish and inherits one of the fanciest traits of its parent. i.e., long and flowing fins.

However, despite being one of the most graceful ornamental fish, it is not suitable for conditions because it deviates from the traditional Koi characteristics.

11. Tancho

Tancho is a red-head Koi variety that wears its Hi (red) marking as a crown on the head.

Tancho Koi possess Hi markings on the head region only and comprise the family of Kohaku with lone, circular patterns of Hi on the head without Hi markings on the white, solid body.

The red spot on the head should be circular and crimson red in color for the ideal Tancho Koi, such as Tancho, Tancho Showa, and Tancho Sanke.

Most Popular Types For Shows

Though any Koi fish is truly capable of winning competitions, there are certain groups of Koi fish that are more prevalent for shows than others. They include.

1. Kohaku 
2. Sanke
3. Showa 

Particularly the Gosanke variety of Koi is the most popular for Koi shows. However, the other classes are that are also in vogue for competitions are Utsuri, Bekko, Shusui, Koromo, Hikari Muji, Hikari Mono, Hikari Utsuri, Kawarigoi, Tancho, Kin Gin Rin. While some shows might also entertain the Doitsu Koi. 

FAQS

Closing Thoughts

The Nishikigoi family has over a hundred different types of Koi, capable of animating your garden ponds through their rich, vibrant colors and unique body conformation. We identify the Koi varieties on the basis of their markings, pattern placement, accent colors, and history. This article speaks about nine different Koi varieties, out of which three are prized Koi, ideal for Japanese Koi competitions.

Koi keeping is a hobby within a hobby, and once you go down that rabbit hole it can get seriously deep. I’ve seen vendors at Aquashella selling single fish for thousands of dollars — and the buyers know exactly what they’re looking at. The variety of koi is genuinely staggering, from the classic Kohaku with its white body and red pattern to the metallic Ogon to the butterfly koi that divide opinion in the hobby. What most beginners don’t realize is how different show-quality Japanese koi are from the inexpensive pond-store fish — the bloodlines and growing conditions matter enormously. Here are 11 of the most popular varieties worth knowing, whether you’re starting a pond or shopping more seriously.

Top 11 different types of Koi fish Varieties

There are over a hundred Koi varieties. However, I’m listing down 11 of the most popular varieties of Koi fish that have taken the fishing world by storm. Below is a quick infographic. You can see the full site graphic here.

1. Gosanke

When I speak of Koi fish, my mind automatically shifts and pulls me in the direction of Gosanke.

And I’ll tell you why.

In the world of Koi, nothing beats Gosanke since this Koi variety is granted the highest status among all the varieties. The family of Gosanke Koi includes three popular Koi varieties and that’s the reason we call Gosanke the “big three”.

Gosanke Koi is a diverse group of the world’s best koi fish including, Kohaku Koi, Taisho Sanshoku or Taisho Sanke, and Showa Sanshoku, all of which are Grand champion winners. The signature colors of Gosanke Koi are red (Hi), black (Sumi), and solid white (Shiroji), where red and white are common among the three varieties. 

Let’s dissect the characteristics of the three varieties of Gosanke koi fish (Kohaku, Sanke, Showa).

2. Kohaku

If you’re an avid Koi keeper, you know that Koi keeping begins and ends with Kohaku.

Kohaku, which was once known as Sarasa appeared 200 years ago. Its distinctive characteristic was the red color that made it pop out in the pool of fishes.

Now any Koi variety that is graced with red color is judged on the basis of the Kohaku pattern, which is loved by Koi enthusiasts all around the world.

Kohaku Appearance

Note: There’s no Sumi in Kohaku Koi

The contemporary Kohaku Koi fish has a solid white (shiroji) body covered with red (hi or beni) markings. However, when the Koi fish is young, the base color (shiroji) may appear translucent or pinkish. The translucency of Shiroji in young Koi fish is considered ideal as the high-quality Shiroji (white) develops with the time that can be seen in Koi competitions. For Koi hobbyists, the white base color holds more importance than the patterned red (hi) because a stunning base color makes the red patterns stand out in the crowd.

As far as the patterns are concerned, the only color is red (hi or beni). However, beni can further be classified into two hues under some circumstances. The most popular and common color of beni is orange-red or purple-red. The color can be transformed into a deep scarlet by maintaining water quality and good nutritional Koi fish food with the right amount of color enhancers.

Things to look for

When choosing among a large batch of Kohakus, these are the things to look out for the perfect and healthy fit.

1. Choose the Koi fish with red (beni) on the head that only goes down about as far as the nostrils
2. The eyes of Kohaku should be clear with no red markings. However, recent research shows that red can cover one eye but never both the eyes
3. The base or shiroji should be milky or snowy white with no yellow coloration
4. The hi around tails and fins should be less
5. The interior of Hi should have no hues of Shiroji
6. The quality or depth of beni should be thick; the thicker the Beni, the better

3. Taisho Sanke

This winning breed of Koi fish is a bit confusing to many neophytes because of the three different names; Sanke, Taisho Sanke, and Taisho Sanshoku.

Whatever the name may be, they all represent Taisho Sanshoku. However, the most common name for this Koi fish breed is Sanke, and the most appropriate is Taisho Sanshoku. Sanshokumeans tricolor in Japanese, indicating three different colors of Sanke, particularly white, black, and red.

Simply put, Sanke Koi is a solid white (shiroji) Koi fish with red (hi, beni) and black (Sumi) markings. 

Taisho Sanke appearance

To find a Taisho Sanke that is both healthy and happy, you need to choose a healthy Kohaku. The Kohaku Koi sets the standard for a wholesome Sanke. The clearer the white (shiroji), the healthier the Sanke Koi.

The base color of Sanke Koi fish is shiroji (solid, creamy white), which begins at the nose and extends to the tail and fins. The Hi on Sanke is a deep-orange shade rather than Cardinal red. Sanke possesses large, reddish-orange spots that make their color pattern appealing with shiroji between the patches of Hi.

Whereas, the Sumi tends to be the rarest color on Sanke Koi. The Sumi (black) on Sanke are comparatively smaller than the Hi or Beni, making it a secondary color, while Beni or Shiroji are primary.

Things to look for

1. Shiroji should be clean, bright, and not discolored
2. Sumi should appear as round patches and should be only present above the lateral line
3. The head should have no Sumi
4. On Sanke, the red should take up to 70% of Koi, the black about 10%, and the rest should be Shiroji
5. Avoid Sanke with lots of small, peppery like Sumi markings. It’s a sign of poor quality Koi fish
6. The fins should be all-white or partial white with black stripes

4. Showa Sanshoku

Novice Koi keepers often confuse Showa Sanshoku with Sanke because of the uncanny resemblance between the two types of Koi.

Showa Sanshoku is a tri-colored Koi variety with Sumi as the dominant color. In short, Showa is a black Koi adorned with white (Shiroji) and red (Hi) patterns.

Appearance

Appearance-wise, Showa can be confused with Sanke because of the same colors. However, Sanke is graced with a white base that does not go beyond the lateral line or onto the head. Alternatively, Showa possesses a black skin that shows through Shiroji and Hi.

Also, one biggest difference between sanke-showa is the patterns of Showa wrap around.

The Showa is further classified into seven different types of koi according to their body markings.

1. Hi Showa with dominant red and black and very little Shiroji (white).
2. Kindai Showa with 40% white or more, and varying amounts of Hi and Sumi.
3. Old style Showa is mostly black with scarce Shiroji and Hi as a secondary color.
4. Doitsu Showa has a shortage of scales except for some broad scales.
5. Kin Showa has a gold, metallic sheen that sparkles.
6. Gin Rin Showa has a silver metallic sheen. However, there are some Koi varieties with a combination of gold and silver sheen. The class of Koi is known as Kin Gin Rin.
7. Ai Showa has blue or deep indigo speckles over the body.

What to look for

1. Thick base color with a lustrous appearance
2. Sumi extends along the body length and extends into the fins moderately
3. Red in Showa is strong and dense, particularly on the face, back, and tail region
4. The pattern should be evenly distributed and easy on the eyes with sharp edges between the patterns

5. Utsurimono

Utsurimono belongs to the same family as Showa Sanshoku. They are graced with a black coat and divided into further categories according to the color of their body markings.

Utsurimono possesses a non-metallic black color mixed with any secondary color, producing beautiful interlacing patterns.

Fun fact: Utsurimono was once considered a defective Showa Koi that lacked Hi (red) coloring. However, over the years, Koi enthusiasts have started to admire and adore this majestic Koi breed.

Appearance

Like other varieties of Koi, Utsurimono is defined by its distinctive color patterns that leave the fish lovers in awe.

Appearance-wise, Utsurimono falls under three primary varieties.

1. Ki Utsuri have a black coat with yellow as an accent color
2. Hi Utsuri, as the name suggests, Hi utsuri has a black coat accentuated with a scarlet color.
3. Shiro Utsuri has black skin with crystal white as the accent color. Also, the base of the pectoral fins of Shiro Utsuri is black.

What to look for

1. The Sumi of Utsurimono should cover the nose, pectoral fin joints, and side faces
2. Always look out for four common patterns on the head of Utsurimono, which are the lightning strike, the small black patches, the two distinctly different black patches, and the heavy black pattern. These patterns are then separated by the accent color of the variety
3. The accent color should be properly distributed as if the black base is wrapped around the accent colors

6. Hikarimono

Koi fish are known for their bizarre colors but not all Koi fish show various colors at once. There’s a variety of Koi that shows only one color which is known as Hikarmono or Ogon Koi.

The Ogon Koi can be of any color ranging from yellow, red, orange, platinum ogon, and cream. All these Koi colors can either be regular or metallic. However, the most common colors that the Ogon Koi comes in are white and yellow.

To be sure if you have a pure breed Hikarimono, identify its colors. If there’s more than one color, it’s not a pure breed of Ogon Koi. Suppose you have a platinum ogon, it should only possess one color i.e., platinum. If the color of your Platinum Ogon is not uniform, then it’s not purebred.

Hikarimono is a hardy Koi fish with a greater lifespan than other varieties. Hence, it’s low-maintenance and easy to breed.

Hikarimono Koi can be classified into 3 sub-categories.

1. Hikari-Moyo is a metallic breed with patterns
2. Hikari-Utsuri is a metallic variant of Utsurimono
3. Hikari- Muji is a metallic version of Mujimono

7. Kawarimono

The meaning of Kawarimono in Japanese means “Oddballs” and so Kawarimono is a classification of a variety of Koi that are non-metallic and don’t fit into other classes.

The Kawarimono Koi comes in three groups.

Single-colored

The Koi breeds that fall under the single-colored category are called Benigoi, where the Hi (red) covers almost the entire body that looks like a giant goldfish.

The Single-colored Koi breed features a uniform color tone with red or white-tipped fins and a voluminous body shape.

Black

Koi varieties with black color display deep and even Sumi on fins or body. The four main varieties of Koi are.

 a. Karasu has black fins and a body with an orange or white tummy

b. Hajiro has a black coat with a white nose and white-tipped fins

c. Hageshiro has a white head to the color combination

d. Youtsujiro has white fins

Other Types

Other odd Koi varieties are Midorigoi (green-colored) and Matsuba Koi (red Koi with dark scales).

8. Gin rin

In a Koi fish pond, all that glitters is Gin rin.

Gin Rin or Kin Gin Rin is more like a scale-type reference, which means silver scales. Therefore, Gin Rin have glittery scales that resemble floating diamond in water ponds.

The color of the Gin Rin scales highly depends on the base color of Koi fish. For example, the Gin Rin reflects golden color when they cover red base (Hi) and silver while covering black or white skin.

Gin Rin Koi is different from Hikarimono and metallic variety of Koi because Gin Rin are metallic scales whereas, the Hikarimono and metallic variety display a shiny, lustrous coat.

There are four types of Gin Rin Koi.

1. Diamond Gin Rin is the most common type with a crackled glass-like appearance
2. Beta Gin is less common and the surface of skin sparkles like that of a mirror
3. Pearl Gin is the most unusual type of Gin Rin with raised shiny deposits on the center of scales
4. Kado Gin Rin is the least preferred type of Koi

9. Doitsu

Doitsu Koi are a modern addition to the Koi family. It is a crossbreed of Wagoi and European Caprinus Carpio Carpio with little to no scales.

However, in terms of scales, the Doitsu Koi can be divided into two types of Koi.

1. The leather carp with little or no scales on the body
2. The mirror carp with a row of enlarged scales on the lateral line and two lines running alongside the dorsal fin

Furthermore, the types of scales in Doitsu Koi fish can be divided into three types.

1. Kawi Goi
2. Kagami Goi
3. Yoroi Goi

Pto Tip: In competitions, the Doitsu Koi is usually beat out in shows by the scaled Koi varieties.

10. Butterfly

The butterfly Koi is one of the most popular and beautiful varieties of Koi. It’s a shame that it’s considered a fake breed of Koi fish by the Japanese, which is the reason it’s more famous in the USA than in other parts of the world.

The butterfly Koi is the descendant of Goldfish and inherits one of the fanciest traits of its parent. i.e., long and flowing fins.

However, despite being one of the most graceful ornamental fish, it is not suitable for conditions because it deviates from the traditional Koi characteristics.

11. Tancho

Tancho is a red-head Koi variety that wears its Hi (red) marking as a crown on the head.

Tancho Koi possess Hi markings on the head region only and comprise the family of Kohaku with lone, circular patterns of Hi on the head without Hi markings on the white, solid body.

The red spot on the head should be circular and crimson red in color for the ideal Tancho Koi, such as Tancho, Tancho Showa, and Tancho Sanke.

Most Popular Types For Shows

Though any Koi fish is truly capable of winning competitions, there are certain groups of Koi fish that are more prevalent for shows than others. They include.

1. Kohaku 
2. Sanke
3. Showa 

Particularly the Gosanke variety of Koi is the most popular for Koi shows. However, the other classes are that are also in vogue for competitions are Utsuri, Bekko, Shusui, Koromo, Hikari Muji, Hikari Mono, Hikari Utsuri, Kawarigoi, Tancho, Kin Gin Rin. While some shows might also entertain the Doitsu Koi. 

FAQS

Closing Thoughts

The Nishikigoi family has over a hundred different types of Koi, capable of animating your garden ponds through their rich, vibrant colors and unique body conformation. We identify the Koi varieties on the basis of their markings, pattern placement, accent colors, and history. This article speaks about nine different Koi varieties, out of which three are prized Koi, ideal for Japanese Koi competitions.