Like many other loaches, dojo loaches are slender and eel-like. They can vary in color from yellow to olive green, to a common light brown or grey with lighter undersides. The mouth of the loach is surrounded by three sets of barbels. It uses them to sift through silt or pebbles to find food. It also uses them to dig under gravel and sand to conceal itself out of nervousness or defense unlike the other loaches who
Ki Utsuri, by far the rarest type of Utsuri, combine patterns of yellow over a lacquerish black body. Ki Utsuri are judged by the same criteria as Shiro and Hi Utsuri.
Utsurimono literally translates as "reflections" or "reflecting ones". This category is made up of three different color varieties. The first and foremost is the Shiro (white) Utsuri. The second variety is the Hi (fire or red) Utsuri. The third and most elusive is the Ki (yellow) Utsuri.
All three color
Asagi are koi that display a blue net-like pattern on the back, complemented by red or orange on the belly, gill plates, fins and body. The red or orange pattern will develop up from the bottom of the body as the koi ages. Top quality Asagi have a red pattern that does not extend above the lateral line.
The Asagi is one of the oldest varieties of Nishikigoi and has provided the basis for many subsequent varieties. Its back is covered
Shusui are the scaleless (doitsu) version of Asagi. The blue net pattern is replaced by a single row of scales along the dorsal line at the top of the back. Like Asagi, the belly, gill plates, sides and fins of Shusui display an orange or red pattern.
Created by crossing a Doitsugoi with an Asagi, the Shusui was one of the first Doitsu varieties of Nishikigoi. Shusui have a bold line of navy scale on the back with a bright orange
Matsuba are koi that combine a solid, metallic colored base with a black net pattern. Matsuba can display many different body colors, but the black pinecone pattern remains consistent among all Matsuba. Gin Matsuba have a white base color, while Ki Matsuba have a yellow base color, and Aka Matsuba have a red base.
In judging this Koi
The pine cone pattern on the body of Matsuba is created by scales with dark centers, and edges that display the base or body
Platinum Ogon, also known as Purachina Ogon, are solid, metallic-white koi. A clear white head and unblemished white body are crucial to the quality of a Platinum Ogon.
Although Platinum Ogon do not possess the interesting and intricate patterns of many other koi varieties, their bright metallic sheen will stand out noticeably in any pond, and they can provide a beautiful balance to your other, multi-colored koi varieties.
In judging this Koi:
An unblemished body with perfect scalation is very important in
Yamabuki Ogon are koi of a solid, metallic-yellow color. As with other Ogon koi, a clean, unblemished head and body are important. A blemished or dirty head stands out on all Ogon varieties.
It is imperative for Yamabuki to have perfect, uninterrupted scalation with no irregularities or blemishes. Since they are a single color with no pattern, any blemishes or scars will stand out more so than on a patterned variety.
Yamabuki can vary in tones of yellow, from a light,
Although technically they are the Doitsu version of Hariwake, scaleless white koi with patterns of orange or yellow are commonly referred to as Kikusui. The bright, metallic colors of Hariwake are also present in Kikusui. They are a nice contrast to the traditional tri color Koi.
Tancho Kikusui are the sole variation of Kikusui.
What makes a good quality Kikusui Koi
If this Koi where to be judged in a Koi show the traits you would look for are-
Shimmery solid white background including
Kikokuryu are scaleless (doitsu) koi with a white base combined with areas of black inside the single row of scales, along the back outside of the row, and on the head around the eyes and nose. Kikokuryu are commonly thought to be metallic versions of Kumonryu. This is a Koi that stands out among others. It is often referred to as a skeleton Koi.
Points to consider in judging this Koi are pure white body and fins. Black outline of each
