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Koi — Kohaku-type illustration; Adult normal-fin red-and-white Kohaku-type phenotype; sex and pedigree unverified; AI side-view illustration

Koi — Kohaku-type illustration

Cyprinus rubrofuscus

A long dorsal and mouth barbels separate it from goldfish; red-and-white is one koi form.

Adult length
Up to 28 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
Natural habitat
The species inhabits freshwater and can tolerate slightly brackish conditions; koi are domesticated ornamental forms.

Plan filtration and adult space for a large pond fish; unprotected planting can be damaged.

View comparison →

Appearance and identification

Koi have a robust carp body, a long dorsal and mouth barbels.

Same-species behaviour

Watch females during spawning chases.

Space requirements

Requires a large pond, effective filtration and ongoing water-quality management.

Diet and feeding

Use appropriate koi feed and adjust to temperature and feeding response; do not rely on leftovers.

Compatibility limits

Assess size, feeding and spawning behaviour individually.

Aquarium environment

Protect roots and planting areas.

Browse varieties

Shiro Utsuri koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Shiro UtsuriUp to 28 cmBroad black and white markings wrap around the body.
Ai Goromo koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Ai GoromoUp to 28 cmBlue crescent-shaped scale edges appear within red patches.
Kumonryu koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
KumonryuUp to 28 cmCloud-like black and white markings cover largely scaleless skin.
Asagi koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
AsagiUp to 28 cmA blue-gray netted back contrasts with red lower flanks.
Koi — Kohaku-type illustration; Adult normal-fin red-and-white Kohaku-type phenotype; sex and pedigree unverified; AI side-view illustration
KohakuUp to 28 cmRed markings on a white body, without black patterning.
Platinum Ogon koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Platinum OgonUp to 28 cmA uniform silver-white koi with metallic luster.
Kujaku koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
KujakuUp to 28 cmMetallic luster combines with reticulation and red markings.
Karashigoi koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
KarashigoiUp to 28 cmA solid mustard-yellow body has a nonmetallic finish.
Chagoi koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
ChagoiUp to 28 cmAn unpatterned tea-brown body with visible scales.
Shiro Bekko koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Shiro BekkoUp to 28 cmSeparate black patches lie on a white ground.
Goshiki koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
GoshikiUp to 28 cmRed patches contrast with a blue-gray reticulated ground.
Tancho Kohaku koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Tancho KohakuUp to 28 cmA single red crown marking sits above a white body.
Hi Utsuri koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Hi UtsuriUp to 28 cmBroad red patches alternate with connected black markings.
Shusui koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
ShusuiUp to 28 cmSmooth blue sides meet a row of large dorsal scales.
Kikusui koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
KikusuiUp to 28 cmRed-orange patches lie on smooth metallic white skin.
Yamabuki Ogon koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Yamabuki OgonUp to 28 cmAn even golden-yellow body has continuous metallic luster.
Soragoi koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
SoragoiUp to 28 cmA uniform pale blue-gray body with visible scale borders.
Taisho Sanke koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Taisho SankeUp to 28 cmRed and black patches on a white ground.
Hariwake Ogon koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Hariwake OgonUp to 28 cmGolden-yellow patches lie on a metallic silver-white ground.
Kin Showa koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Kin ShowaUp to 28 cmShowa-like red, white and black markings have metallic luster.
Ginrin Kohaku koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Ginrin KohakuUp to 28 cmReflective scales sparkle over a red-and-white pattern.
Ochiba Shigure koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Ochiba ShigureUp to 28 cmBrown leaf-like patches lie on a blue-gray ground.
Showa Sanshoku koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Showa SanshokuUp to 28 cmRed and white patches intersect broad black markings.
Ki Utsuri koi, complete left-facing side-view AI illustration
Ki UtsuriUp to 28 cmYellow patches alternate with connected black markings.

Similar and related fish

Both are common pond ornamentals, but koi have mouth barbels and goldfish lack them. Red-and-white colour alone cannot distinguish koi from similarly coloured goldfish.

Sources

nas.er.usgs.gov ↗ 2026-10-22

www.fishbase.se ↗ 2026-10-25

nationalzoo.si.edu ↗ 2026-10-22

ornamentalfish.org ↗ 2026-10-22

nwkg.org ↗ 2026-10-22

researcharchive.calacademy.org ↗ 2026-10-22

PeekFish · Ornamental fish

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