Asagi Koi Fish

The Asagi koi is one of the oldest varieties of Koi Fish and has provided the basis for many subsequent varieties. Its back is covered in a net-like reticulated scale pattern of indigo, navy blue or pale blue. The light blue head should be clear and unblemished. The base of the pectoral fins, tail fin, stomach and gill plates is a deep orange or red color.Viewed from above, the Asagi Koi Fish has a dorsal area that extends from the tail to a point just forward of the gill openings and which is covered with a reticulated pattern of scales which are bordered by a much lighter color, be this a light blue through white.

Choosing Tosai Koi

Selecting tosai properly is difficult because young koi are not yet fully developed, so predicting their final appearance requires many considerations. Tosai or Koi that are less than 1 year old very easy to change their color. We must be careful in selecting koi at age tosai. One has to observe the skin in the area around the neck and the shoulders of Koi. It is normal not to have Fukurin at this age, but the skin in the area around the neck and shoulders should appear white and shiny. Whiteness of the skin, however, is not the sole factor in determining skin quality.

Golden Koi, Hikari Mono

These are all metallic and “one” colored koi Fish. They are known collectively as “Ogon”. Hikari means shiny or metallic, and mono means one. Ogon means “golden”. You may often hear variations of the name to include “muji”, which also means “one”. It may seem like a “double emphasis” to say Hikari Mujimono, but it is still considered a correct variety name. I guess some people really want you to know that it really is just the one color. Then just to confuse us all, koi that have a matsuba (a black netting pattern, with the black at the center of the scale) pattern, but have one “primary” color are also in this group.