Koi Variety Quiz

LEARN TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE

How well do you know your koi?

Eight short questions about colors, patterns, and scales. Get an explanation after every answer, then practice the ones you missed.

No timer and no account. This is a learning exercise using typical traits; individual fish can vary.

Study the answers and variety guides

Read these explanations before practicing, or use them to review afterward.

A non-metallic koi has a white body with red patches and no black markings. Which variety best fits?

Kohaku — Kohaku combines a white base with red (hi) markings. Sanke and Showa also have black markings; Shiro Utsuri is black and white.

Read the variety guide

Which classic variety has a white base, red patches, and smaller black markings that typically sit above the lateral line?

Sanke — Sanke is a white-based koi with red and black markings. Smaller, distinct black spots help distinguish it from the wrapping black pattern associated with Showa. Real fish can be less clear-cut than textbook examples.

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A red, white, and black koi has broad black markings that wrap around its body and extend onto its head. Which is the best match?

Showa — Showa commonly has a substantial black pattern that can wrap around the body and appear on the head. Pattern placement is more helpful than simply counting the colors.

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Which variety is known for a blue-gray, net-like scaled back, often with red along the lower sides?

Asagi — Asagi has a blue-gray reticulated back with regular scales. Shusui is the related Doitsu form, with reduced scales and a characteristic row of larger scales along the back.

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A blue-backed koi has mostly scaleless skin and a row of large scales along its dorsal line. Which variety fits?

Shusui — Shusui combines the Asagi color family with Doitsu scaling. The large dorsal scales and areas of scaleless skin are key features to inspect.

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Which variety is typically a solid brown or tea-colored, non-metallic koi?

Chagoi — Chagoi is associated with solid brown or tea-like colors and non-metallic skin. Shade alone is not always enough to classify an individual fish, so inspect scales and sheen too.

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What does Ginrin describe?

Sparkling, reflective scales — Ginrin describes reflective scales that sparkle. It can occur in multiple varieties and is different from an overall metallic skin sheen.

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What does Doitsu describe when it appears in a koi's name?

Reduced scaling or largely scaleless skin — Doitsu refers to reduced scaling: koi may have very few scales or rows of large scales. It is a scale form found in several varieties, not a color or age category.

Read the variety guide