Characteristics of the Yamabuki Standard Fin Live Koi Fish

The humble brown wild carp of East Asia is the ancestor of the glorious koi of today, including the all-yellow Yamabuki. Credit largely goes to Japanese farmers who grew carp for food but saved the occasional fish that showed some color and bred them for variations. By the 20th century, bright single colors and combinations developed. Modern koi in nearly all colors and combinations of two or three, including shades of red, white, silver, yellow, gold, orange, black, tortoiseshell, purple, green and blue, are on the scene. Cyprinus carpio, which is the Latin name for koi, are further defined by Japanese terms for their colors and color patterns.

  1. Categories of Koi

    • Koi display a wide range of colors and combinations.

      Koi fall into 13 categories according to color and markings, with a category for various unusual patterns. The distinctions also divide further into metallic, nonmetallic and partially metallic scales along with the usual color patterns. "Ogon" is a Japanese term for metallic and one color. It follows other descriptive names. For instance, "Yamabuki ogon" is the term for a solid bright yellow ("ki") koi covered with metallic scales with a gold sheen. Other distinctions include with or without scales, partially scaled and scales that give a pinecone-type pattern to the fish, called "matsuba." Koi, like goldfish, also have fin types: standard or butterfly, which are longer, flowing fins.

    Quality Standards

    • Koi, the national fish of Japan, like other pets and livestock have basic standards that indicate healthy, well-cared-for animals. Regardless of color, good-quality koi first are free of disease with clear, nonbulging eyes. Healthy koi display skin and scales unblemished by injury, fungus or disease. The fish should be evenly well-fleshed with good color and markings depending on the variety. The standard fin should be properly rounded, untattered and even. The yellow intensity and metallic nature of fish called Yamabuki are best as bright and consistent without any inkling of another color and no missing or deformed scales.

    Genetics

    • Koi, or nishikigoi, are the national fish of Japan.

      Koi don't breed true. That is, the colors, traits and quality of offspring cannot be predicted even from championship parents. Two Yamabuki will not produce a school of little glittering bits of solid yellow koi fry. A spawning of tens of thousands of eggs is likely to produce only a few hundred quality fish, which further will not often develop their final colors and quality for years. Add the slow development of color to the long lives of koi and the practice of handing fish down to the next generation is explained. With good care, koi will live beyond 50 years and have even exceeded 200.

    Proper Conditions

    • To achieve healthy koi and maintain their long life spans requires considerable space to accommodate their quick growth, which eventually can reach 3 feet. Ponds of more than 1,000 gallons are recommended. The commitment to these large fish is considerable, but koi reward their patient caretakers with tame affection, will handfeed, allow petting and provide hours and hours of calming companionship as well as beauty.