Goshiki

Goshiki are one of the most challenging and beautiful Koi varieties. Goshiki actually means five colours - and there are a number of sub varieties within the Goshiki grouping of Koi.

Goshiki are basically grey, red and white fish that develop black in different ways. The five colours refer to a light and dark blue that can be seen on the Koi - but this is more of an optical illusion than a true blue colour if truth be told. The two main varieties of Goshiki are the Kuro Goshiki (which is a Koi that has strong red patterns sitting over a jet black background) and Mameshiboro Goshiki which has the red pattern sitting on top of a grey scale reticulated pattern.

 To further complicate matters you get Goshiki that develop robing on the edges of the red scales. This netting effect can occur on both Kuro and Mameshiboro Goshiki and when finished the effect can be utterly amazing.

As such Goshiki are a variety of Koi that can demonstrate quite remarkable changes as they grow. A great Goshiki is a Koi that can easily steal the limelight in any Koi pond - no matter what other Koi are in the pond.

Goshiki generally however tend not to finish when they are fully grown. They are early developers which means that they are ideal candidates for complementing a collection of larger Koi that have still to reach their peak. Of course Goshiki can also grow quite large so do not fall into the trap of stocking up on them in excessive numbers more than the pond can support.

Goshiki are not easy Koi to get right. A great Goshiki can cost a pretty penny and finding one requires effort and maybe some luck. But as far as a living jewel goes, Goshiki have to be right up there amongst the best of the best in Koi.