Koi ( 鯉 ? , ) ( /ˈkɔɪ/ ), or more specifically nishikigoi ( 錦鯉 ? , , literally "brocaded carp") , are ornamental domesticated varieties of the common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) that are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor ponds and water gardens. They are also called Japanese carp .
Koi were developed from common carp in Japan in the 1820s, and are still popular there because they are a symbol of love and friendship. A variety of colors and color patterns have since been developed; common colors include white, black, red, yellow, blue, and cream. The most popular category of koi is the Gosanke , which is made up of the Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku, and Showa Sanshoku varieties.
History
The carp is a large group of fish originally found in Central Europe and Asia. Various carp species were originally domesticated in East Asia, where they were used as food fish. The ability of carp to survive and adapt to many climates and water conditions allowed the domesticated species to be propagated to many new locations including Japan. Natural color mutations of these carp would have occurred across all populations. Carp were first bred for color mutations in China more than a thousand years ago, where selective breeding of the Prussian carp ( Carassius gibelio ) led to the development of the goldfish.
Carp are known as koi in Japan. Of the various domesticated carp species, the common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) is one of the more commonly used in aquaculture. Common carp were first introduced into Japan by way of China between 400 to 600 years ago. Common carp were first bred for color in Japan in the 1820s, initially in the town of Ojiya in the Niigata prefecture on the north eastern coast of Honshu island. By the 20th century, a number of color patterns had been established, most notably the red-and-white Kohaku . The outside world was not aware of the development of color variations in koi until 1914, when the Niigata koi were exhibited in the annual exposition in Tokyo. At that point, interest in koi exploded throughout Japan. The hobby of keeping koi eventually spread worldwide. Koi are now commonly sold in most pet stores, with higher-quality fish available from specialist dealers.
Extensive hybridization between different populations has muddled the historical zoogeography of the common carp. However, scientific consensus is that there are at least two subspecies of the common carp, one from Western Eurasia ( Cyprinus carpio carpio ) and another from East Asia ( Cyprinus carpio haematopterus ). One recent study on the mitochondrial DNA of various common carp indicate that koi are of the East Asian subspecies. However another recent study on the mitochondrial DNA of koi have found that koi are descended from multiple lineages of common carp from both Western Eurasian and East Asian varieties. This could be the result of koi being bred from a mix of East Asian and Western Eurasian carp varieties, or koi being bred exclusively from East Asian varieties and being subsequently hybridized with Western Eurasian varieties (the butterfly koi is one known product of such a cross). Which is true has not been resolved.
Etymology
The word 'koi' comes from Japanese, simply meaning "carp." It includes both the dull grey fish and the brightly colored varieties. What are known as 'koi' in English are referred to more specifically as 'nishikigoi' in Japan (literally meaning 'brocaded carp'). In Japanese, 'koi' is a homophone for another word that means 'affection or love'; koi are therefore symbols of love and friendship in Japan. An example of this is given in a short story by Mukoda Kuniko, "Koi-san". Koi tattoos have also become a popular trend in North America.
Varieties
Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, patterning, and scalation. Some of the major colors are white, black, red, yellow, blue, and cream. While the possible color variations are virtually limitless, breeders have identified and named a number of specific categories. The most popular category is Gosanke , which is made up of the Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku, and Showa Sanshoku varieties.
New koi variaties are still being actively developed. Ghost koi were developed in the 1980s, and have become very popular in the United Kingdom. There are a hybrid of wild carp and Ogon koi, and are distinguished by their metallic scales. Butterfly koi (also known as Longfin koi, or Dragon Carp) were also developed in the 1980s, and are notable for their long and flowing fins. They are hybrids of koi with Asian carp. Butterfly koi and Ghost koi are considered by some to be not true Nishikigoi.
The major named varieties include:
- Kōhaku ( 紅白 ? ) A white-skinned koi, with large red markings on the top. The name means "red and white;" kohaku was the first ornamental variety to be established in Japan (late 19th century).
- Taishō Sanshoku (or Taisho Sanke) ( 大正三色 ? ) Very similar to the Kohaku, except for the addition of small black markings called sumi ( 墨 ? ) . This variety was first exhibited in 1914 by the koi breeder, Gonzo Hiroi, during the reign of the Taisho Emperor. In America, the name is often abbreviated to just "Sanke". The kanji, 三色, may be read as either sanshoku or as sanke .
- Shōwa Sanshoku (or Showa Sanke) ( 昭和三色 ? ) A black koi with red ( hi 赤) and white ( shiroji 白地) markings. The first Showa Sanke was exhibited in 1927, during the reign of the Showa Emperor. In America, the name is often abbreviated to just Showa. The amount of shiroji on Showa Sanke has increased in modern times ( Kindai Showa 近代昭和), to the point where it can be impossible to distinguish from Taisho Sanke. The kanji, 三色, may be read as either sanshoku or as sanke.
- Tanchō ( 丹頂 ? ) Any koi with a solitary red patch on its head. The fish may be a Tancho Showa, Tancho Sanke, or even Tancho Goshiki. Named for the Japanese crane ( Grus japonensis ) which also has a red spot on its head.
- Asagi ( 浅葱 ? ) A koi that is light blue above and red below. The Japanese name means "light blue." Sometime incorrectly written as 浅黄 (light yellow).
- Utsurimono ( 写り者 ? ) A black koi with a white, red, or yellow markings. The oldest attested form is the yellow form, called "Black and white markings" ( 黒黄斑 , Kuro Ki Han ? ) in the 19th century, but renamed Ki Utsuri ( 黄写り ? ) by Elizaburo Hoshino, an early 20th century koi breeder. The red and white versions are called Hi Utsuri ( 赤写り ? ) and Shiro Utsuri ( 白写り ? ) respectively. The word utsuri means to print (the black markings are reminiscent of ink stains).
- Bekko ( 鼈甲 ? ) A white-, red-, or yellow-skinned koi with small black markings sumi ( 墨 ? ) . The Japanese name means "tortoise shell," and is also written as べっ甲. The white- red- and yellow varieties are called Shiro Bekko ( 白 ? ) Aka Bekko ( 赤 ? ) and Ki Bekko ( 黄 ? ) respectively. May be confused with the Utsuri.
- Goshiki ( 五色 ? ) A black koi with red, white, brown, and blue accents.
- Shūsui ( 秋翠 ? ) The Japanese name means "Autumn jade." The Shusui was created in 1910 by Yoshigoro Akiyama, by crossing Japanese Asagi w
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