What Are the Main Classes of Koi?

The main classes of koi are broad groupings used to organize the more than 100 recognized koi varieties. These classifications help breeders, hobbyists, and koi show judges compare fish with similar characteristics.

Major koi classes include:

• Gosanke
• Tancho
• Koromo & Goshiki
• Hikari (metallic) classes
• Utsurimono
• Bekko
• Asagi & Shusui
• Kawarimono
• Body-type classifications like Doitsu and Butterfly koi

If you’ve ever looked at koi listings or show results and wondered, “What exactly is a Gosanke?” — you’re not alone.

Think of it this way:
Varieties are the individual types.
Classes are the larger family groupings.

Here’s a simplified breakdown.

1. Gosanke (The Big Three)

Gosanke refers to the three most prestigious koi varieties:

• Kohaku
• Taisho Sanke
• Showa Sanshoku

These dominate koi shows worldwide and form the foundation of serious koi collecting.

2. Tancho (The Single-Spot Pattern)

Tancho are defined by a single red circle on the head, ideally centered, with a clean white body.

Common examples include:

• Tancho Kohaku
• Tancho Sanke
• Tancho Showa
• Tancho Goshiki

Important clarification: Tancho is a pattern, not a bloodline.

Some koi clubs create a separate Tancho show class. Others group Tancho fish within their base variety class.

3. Koromo & Goshiki

This grouping blends classic Kohaku structure with layered color complexity.

Koromo (Goromo)

Koromo begin with a Kohaku pattern, but the red (hi) scales are edged with darker pigment.

Common types include:

• Ai Goromo
• Budo Goromo
• Sumi Goromo

Goshiki

Goshiki means “five colors.”

They typically display:

• A white or light base
• A red (hi) pattern
• Blue or gray reticulation
• Black (sumi)
• Additional tonal layering

4. Hikari Muji (Metallic Single-Color Koi)

“Hikari” means metallic.
“Muji” means one color.

These are solid-colored koi with a bright, reflective metallic sheen across the skin.

Examples include:

• Yamabuki Ogon
• Platinum Ogon
• Orenji Ogon
• Kin Matsuba

Their shine comes from the skin itself — not from sparkling scales.

5. Hikari Moyo (Metallic Patterned Koi)

Hikari Moyo are metallic koi with two or more colors and a defined pattern.

Examples include:

• Kujaku
• Hariwake
• Kikusui
• Other metallic patterned varieties

Like other Hikari varieties, the shine comes from the skin’s metallic quality rather than reflective scales.

6. Hikari Utsuri (Metallic Black-Based Koi)

Hikari Utsuri are metallic koi with black (sumi) as the base color.

Examples include:

• Kin Showa
• Gin Shiro Utsuri
• Kin Ki Utsuri

At many koi shows, Hikari Moyo and Hikari Utsuri are grouped closely together due to their metallic skin and strong contrast.

7. Utsurimono

Utsurimono feature black (sumi) as the base color with bold contrasting patterns layered over it.

Examples include:

• Shiro Utsuri
• Hi Utsuri
• Ki Utsuri

8. Bekko

Bekko are lighter-based koi with black (sumi) markings.

They include:

• Shiro Bekko
• Aka Bekko
• Ki Bekko

Bekko do not have black wrapping around the body. Instead, their black appears as stepping-stone markings.

9. Asagi & Shusui

These koi feature reticulated (net-like) scale patterns.

• Asagi are fully scaled with blue netting on top and red along the sides.
• Shusui are the scaleless (Doitsu) version of Asagi.

10. Kawarimono (The Miscellaneous Class)

If a koi does not fit neatly into another major class, it typically falls into Kawarimono.

Well-known varieties include:

• Chagoi
• Soragoi
• Ochiba
• Matsukawabake
• Kumonryu
• And many other unique and specialty varieties

Kawarimono is one of the most diverse classes in the koi world.

11. Doitsu & Butterfly Koi (Body Type Classifications)

Some classifications group koi by body structure rather than color pattern.

• Doitsu koi have few or no scales.
• Butterfly koi (longfin koi) have elongated, flowing fins.

These traits can appear within many color classes.

Explore Koi Classes in Your Own Pond

Understanding koi classes is helpful — but seeing them in motion is even better.

Shop Koi by Variety Here
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Want to dive deeper?

Read Our Complete Gosanke Guide
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Visit Ellen’s Koi Education Library
https://www.kloubeckoi.com/ellens-koi-education/

Build your pond with confidence — and choose the fish that makes you stop and say, “That’s the one.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Koi Classes

How many koi classes are there?

Most koi shows recognize between 12 and 16 primary classes, depending on the organization.

What is the most prestigious koi class?

Gosanke (Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa) is considered the most competitive and prestigious class.

Is Tancho a separate koi class?

Sometimes. Some clubs create a dedicated Tancho class, while others group Tancho fish within their base variety class.

What class is Kikusui in?

Kikusui is typically grouped in the Hikari Moyo class because it is metallic and patterned.

What is the difference between metallic koi and Gin Rin koi?

Metallic koi have a smooth, uniform reflective sheen across the entire skin.

Gin Rin koi have individual sparkling scales caused by crystalline deposits within each scale.

Metallic refers to skin quality.
Gin Rin refers to scale type.

A koi can be metallic, Gin Rin, both, or neither.