Of all the koi fish varieties the Kohaku stands above them all as king of the koi. This regal fish was the first variety of koi fish to be developed with two colors, and its simple beauty continues to inspire koi owners both new and experienced. The Kohaku koi fish is a fan favorite at koi show's as well as they often win the shows they are entered in. So what makes the Kohaku so incredible - It is all in their color and markings.

Color

The ideal Kohaku has a solid white body with red markings. The white should be clear and even, though many kohaku have a yellowish nose which judges don't care for, but many owners find charming. The red markings (traditionally called hi) can be one of two types. The first type is red with a purple tint to it which usually appears thick and rarely fades as the koi fish ages, but does not have the crisp edges that judges love. This type of red coloration is the most satisfying to new koi parents because the color is easy to maintain with good water chemistry and these Kohaku will always look great even if they are not show quality. The second type of red found in Kohaku's is the more popular orange-red which is much more difficult to develop and maintain, but is undeniably worth it to those who have the patience to achieve this stunning coloration. Judges of koi shows adore this orange-red color in Kohaku because of the difficulty of keeping to color perfect and because of the crisp lines that can develop between the white and red. Experienced koi parents or breeders will derive the more pleasure, and success, from raising koi with this stunning but difficult color of red than new koi owners would.

Markings

No mater what type of red your Kohaku sports the markings will look stunning on the koi's white ground, but some patterns of markings make a Kohaku stand out. When it comes to the markings on a Kohaku the more the merrier because not only does a large amount of red look great in your pond, but judges love it too. While most Kohaku have a red marking on their head which is seperate from the rest of their markings some Kohakus have patterns that extend onto their head, these are called bongiri, and other Kohaku have no markings on their heads, these are called boze.  No matter what type of Kohaku you have the red markings should be fairly balanced so that each side of the koi has about the same amount of red. This balance makes the Kohaku feel peaceful and can add a sense of tranquility to your pond. 

While the Kohaku is certainly not the most complex or initially stunning koi fish it does have a regal presence which puts it head and fins above other koi varieties. The simplicity of the Kohaku's balanced markings along with the contrast of the red against white make it the embodiment of peace and harmony, and that is what make the Kohaku the king's of koi fish.

Aren't Kohaku's amazing? Do you have any Kohaku in your pond, or are you considering purchasing a one soon? If you are planning on purchasing a Kohaku as your first ever koi you should check out our Survive & Thrive mini course. It will walk you through all the mistakes we made with our first koi so you don't have to make them, and your Kohaku king can rule the pond for years to come.