Koi Grade AKoi come in a variety of colors and patterns usually of white, yellow, orange or some combination of these colors. Koi are hardy fish that have been referred to as “living jewels”. Koi thrive in large outdoor ponds with a good filtration system to ensure proper water quality. Koi can be distinguished in thirteen classifications with different types within those classifications. These classifications are all Japanese Terms.Koi ClassificationsKohaku – White with red markings, the most common classificationTaisho Sanke – White body with red and black markings, also known as SankeShowa – Black body with red and white markingsBekko – White, yellow, orange, or red body with black markingsUtsurimono – Black body with red, yellow, orange, or white markingsAsagi – Bluish grey koi with red on its fins and sidesShusui – A nearly scaleless koi with bluish grey scales only on its lateral lines and dorsal lines, as well as red on its sides and finsKoromo – Literally means “robed” where the body is white, with red spots outlined in blue, black or purpleKawarimono – All non-metallic koi fall into this classification where coloration variesHikarimono – Single solid colored metallic koi in a variety of colorsHikari – Utsurimono – Metallic Showa and UtsurimonoHikarimoyo – Mono – Metallic koi with more than one color, but don’t fall into Utsurimono or ShowaTancho – Koi with a Red Patch on its head, named after the National Bird of Japan, the Tancho Crane, also known as the Red-Crowned Crane, Grus japonensisKinginrin – Literally means “Golden Silvery Scales” which is referring to the sparkly scales. All koi have kinginrin scales, but must have twenty or more individual scales to be classified as Kinginrin