Pattern Depends on Size of Koi Fish

        The actual pattern and hence how it gets judged is really dependent on the size of the Koi fish. The larger the Koi fish, the more you expect this pattern to be big and bold.

        While you may not want to take such great pains in choosing a koi up to the grand standards, it’s still good to know what makes a healthy, happy koi.  Of course, everything related to colors and patterns is important to different degrees, again depending on the classification of the fish. Body conformation is vital no matter what variety you choose.

        The final decision-maker in this process is, of course, you. If you’re happy with the coloratio, the pattern, the intensity of the color, and the overall pleasing appearance of the Koi fish, then don’t let anything stop you from making the choice of a healthy koi.

        Did you find one you like? Oh, it’s a fairly new addition? Well, it’ll need to go through the standard quarantine procedure before you can even begin to think about bringing it home. More than likely, the Koi breeder will allow you to place a down payment on the little tyke. Then all you need to do is wait for the completion of the quarantine period.

Platinum Ogon

        Once the Japanese started breeding Koi fish from carp mutations, they simply came in a few colors. As the popularity of koi fish grew and more and more people started breeding them over the years, koi fish began to come in greater color varieties and combination of patterns. Nowadays koi fish can be seen in many different colors including red, black, green, yellow and white.

       Being able to recognize the different kinds of koi fish is a lot easier when you’ve got a preliminary understanding of the several classifications that koi are grouped into. Each variety has certain standards but pattern diversity is acceptable in most varieties. There are a handful of extremely popular koi varieties. One popular variety is Kuhako koi. These koi are white with red markings. Another popular Koi variety is the Hirarimono or Ogon variety.

        The first section of the word “Hikari” means metallic. The second section of the word “Mono” means single color. These koi fish are all one color. Ogon koi are also very metallic in appearance. They are most commonly available and seen in yellow known as Yamabuki Ogon and in the colour white or silver which are generally known as Platinum Ogon. Whatever the colour or the variety, the coloration of Ogon koi should be the same hue from their heads to their tails and down to the tips of the fins. Large fins are desirable on the Ogon koi fish simply because they offset the plain body.

Platinum Ogon Koi

         Most  Platinum Ogon koi are bred with the Ginrin scales to make them appear even shinier. Ginrin scales are completely different from those that are seen on metallic koi. Instead of an overall gleam caused by the reflective pigment of the scales, Ginrin scales have a reflective sheen over all or part of their surface creating a glimmering effect that is very much like cut diamonds. To qualify as Ginrin, the koi fish should have more of these scales than it is possible to count as it swims past the observer. About 20 scales is the accepted minimum.

        White koi or Platinum Ogon are very unique and popular fish in the world of koi. Their bodies appear to shine with the same luster as precious metal. These unique and gorgeous koi fish first appeared back in 1963, probably from crossing Kigoi with the grayish-silver Nezu (short for the Japanese word for rat, nezumi) Ogon. These types of koi fish are very hardy and grow rapidly. They will also be popular in poorly filtered ponds because they stand out in the murky water. Other Ogon koi fish include the Nezu, Orenji and the Fuji koi fish.

        Another thing that really attracts pond owners to fill their ponds with koi fish is the large number of colors that koi fish come in. When viewed from the top, koi fish are able to show their best color. The majority of the fish’s pigment in on the top side of the fish. When koi fish are shown in events in Asia, they’re always shown in round pools and are always viewed from the top.