Initially, when the Japanese started breeding the Koi from other fish mutations, there were only one or 2 colors. The Koi grew more and more popular and over the years people started to breed them to get them in different colors and pattern combinations. Today, you'll see Koi, red, black, green, yellow and even white.

Koi are grouped into different varieties and each has certain standards but you will get pattern diversity in most of them. There are some which are more popular than others - one being the Kahaku Koi. It's white and has red markings. The other popular Koi Hirarimono or Ogon.

Being able to recognize the different varieties of Koi fish is easier when you have an understanding of the various classifications that Koi are grouped into. Each variety has certain standards but pattern diversity is acceptable in most varieties. There are a couple of very popular Koi varieties. One popular variety is Kahaku Koi. These Koi are white with red markings. Another popular Koi variety is the Hirarimono or Ogon variety.

There are others too - Hakiri meaning metallic, with Mono meaning single colour. The Ogon Koi, for instance are metallic in appearance and do not have any other color on them. A common variety, the Yamabuki Ogon is yellow. When Koi is white, it is known as Ogon Koi - they will be white from the head to the tail and the finds too.

Both Ogon Koi and Platinum Koi are very popular because their bodies appear to shine like precious metal. They are a cross between Kigoi and the grayish silver Nezu. They are hardy and you can expect them to grow rapidly. They are also not so demanding in terms of pond cleaning - because they have such brilliant color, they stand out even in murky water.

You can breed Platinum Koi with Ginrin scales to make them appear even shinier. The scales create a glimmering effect that reflects off the fish and they look like cut diamonds. The scales have to be many and large - an observer should be able to see them as the Koi swims past. 20 scales are considered a good number.

Koi fish are loved for their color - their pigment shows off well from birds view. No wonder that in Koi shows in Asia, the guests are allowed to view them from the top. The White Koi look magnificent that way.