People are not really sure if the Japanese Koi fish is actually native to Japan. The species has been found practically everywhere that the term Japanese Koi fish is more out of recognition for the country’s achievement of introducing Koi-keeping as a hobby.

The Japanese Koi fish is actually illegal in some places because of the ecological threat it poses to waterways. You see, Koi fish is constantly stirring up the substrate of water, rendering it unsuitable for drinking or swimming. Their activity also reduces the number of aquatic plants significantly in an area. This fact does not really stop Japanese Koi fish enthusiasts from collecting different types, though. In fact this has only fueled the flames of Koi collecting.

People want to collect different types of Koi fish for the same reason people collect different coins (come to think of it, those two words sound the same). That reason is that they can. You see, Koi collecting, like any other type of collecting, lets an enthusiast feel fulfilled. However, the collecting of Koi, flowers, bonsai, and other living things are more complicated in the sense that they are very fragile beings.

Unlike other collectibles which are quite easy to take care of and require only regular maintenance, Japanese Koi fish needs constant care in order to maintain. You need to learn the basics of containment, feeding and breeding them in order to be a proper Koi collector.

Caring for Koi is also distinguished in the sense that it needs your ability to judge the beauty of each individual fish. There are standards to think of and the different colors and patterns of the Japanese Koi fish needs to be balanced. You also need to have some spontaneity while trying to maintain harmony. Thus, the keeping of Japanese Koi fish calls for a sort of organized chaos.

Here are some common varieties of the Japanese Koi fish. Japanese names are actually used to classify the different types of Japanese Koi fish.

1) Gosanke

• a) Kohaku – This is every beginner’s Japanese Koi fish. It is colored white with red patterns called Hi. The patterns should have nice edges and should be thick.
• b) Sanke – This Japanese Koi fish looks about the same as the Kohaku. However, it has some black stepping stone patterns on its back. A good Sanke should have a black stepping stone display that does not touch the Hi, the black pattern should also not show on the head.
• c) Showa – This Japanese Koi fish is characterized by balance. The red black and white patterns should fit perfectly and no color should overwhelm the others.

2) Bekko – This classification of the Japanese Koi fish is characterized by a black pattern on a colored background.

• a) Shiro bekko – this Japanese Koi fish is white skinned with the black stepping stone pattern.
• b) Ki bekko – This one is colored yellow with the black pattern.
• c) Aka bekko - A black stepping stone pattern on red skin distinguishes this Japanese Koi fish.

These are just some of the more popular types of Japanese Koi fish. There are a lot more, but this should help you to get started. In order to learn more information about keeping Japanese Koi fish, you could try looking up a book, or researching on the internet. Hopefully though, this article has been a great help in getting you started in the wonderful world of Koi keeping.

Related links about this subject:

Koi Encyclopedia
Describing the different koi breeds.
www.koi.com/

The Goldfish Guide
Good info about the differences of koi to goldfish.
www.ponddoc.com

Igarashi Koi Farm
Mr.Igarashi a breeder from Japan and his fish.
www.japankoionline.com

Next: Butterfly Koi Fish