The following list is an overview of a couple of different types of Koi. Not all types are listed here and many belong to a certain category.
Asagi
Asagi are light blue koi, with red bellies. It’s Japanese name translates to “light blue” but is sometimes written wrong and translates to “light yellow”.
Doitsu
Doitsu-goi are German mirrow Carp. They have large mirror-like scales along a thin line on their backs.
Goshiki
Goshiki are very colourful koi fish, having colours in red, brown and white, with blue accents.
Hikari
Hikari, or Hikari-moyomono are either koi with two metallic colours, or a koi with coloured markings on metallic skin.
Kawarimono
This refers to all Koi that cannot be distinguished into categories or in other words, aren’t clearly identified by markings or colours. Also known askawarigoi.
Kōhaku
The name “Kōhaku” translates to “red and white” and was the first ornamental koi variant in Japan, established in the late 19th century. Their skin is white in colour, and they are covered with large red markings on top.
Kumonryū
Kumonryu are black koi with distinctive white markings, often thought to be reminiscent of Japanese ink paintings of dragons. They are known for changing colour with seasons.
Ochiba
Ochiba, in Japanese, means “fallen leaves”. They are light blue koi with patches of yellow, which resemble autumn leaves.
Orenji Ōgon
Ogon Koi generally refer to Koi with only one colour. However, they have metallic scales, the most common colours being gold, orange (like the koi to the left) and platinum. The Japanese koi name means “Gold”, however, on rare occasion they can be found in cream colours.
Shūsui
Shusui translated from Japanese, means “Autumn Jade” and were created by crossing Japanese Asagi with German mirror carp, in 1910. This koi only has a single line of scales along its head to tail.
Tanchō
Any fish with a distinctive red patch on it’s head is a Tancho. It is named after the Japanese crane, which also has a red spot on its head. There are several types, including Tancho Showa, Tancho Sanke and Tancho Goshiki.
Utsuri
Utsuri, or Utsurimono, refer to black koi with red, white or yellow markings. Utsuri specifically means “print” and refers again to Japanese ink stains.