Koi Talk

Nishikigoi (Koi) Terminology Explained

Akame – Red Eyed

Ato Sumi – Markings of black that develop later in a Koi’s life

Beta Gin – The Gin shine covers the entire scale

Diamond Gin Rin – The Gin shine spreads out across the scale in a fan shape

Fukurin – Webbed effect of shiny skin around the scales of metallic Koi

Ginbo – Darker Koi with a shiny look covering the entire body

Gondan - Five step pattern

Hon Sumi – Solid black markings as seen on the variety Sanke

Ippon hi - Solid red from the nose to the caudal fin

Kindai – White is the most predominant colour

Kiwa – The rear edge of hi pattern where the colour red and white meet

Komoyo – Soft flowery hi pattern

Kuchibeni – Red lips or more commonly known as lipstick

Matsuba – Black reticulation on the scales more commonly known as a pinecone effect

Menware – Black pattern that divides the head as seen in Utsuri and Showa

Motoguro – Solid black colouration in the base or knuckle of pectoral fins in the variety Showa

Moto Sumi - Markings of early black that stay on a Koi

Nidan - Two step pattern

Ojime – Caudal Peduncle that is white in colour

Omoyo – Large red markings

Pearl Gin Rin – The Gin Shine has a mother of pearl effect on each scale

Sandan - Three step pattern

Sashi – The leading edge of hi pattern where the colour red and white meet

Shimi – Black random mark of colouration on top of the pattern that is undesirable

Tancho – Circle of red pattern only on the head with no other red pattern on the body

Yondan - Four step pattern

Koi Colours        

Ai – Blue

Aka – Red

Beni - Red

Budu - Purple

Cha - Brown

Gin - Silver

Hi - Red

Ki – Yellow

Kin – Gold

Midori – Green

Nezu –Grey

Orenji – Orange

Platinum - Metallic White

Shiro - White

Sumi - Black

Koi Age

Tosai - One year old Koi

Nisai - Two year old Koi

Sansai - Three year old Koi

Yonsai - Four year old Koi

Gonsai – Five year old Koi

Rokusai - Six year old Koi