Ochiba Shigure

Bred as a combination of Chagoi and Kohaku, Ochiba are one of the most beautiful of all Koi. In English the Japanese term translates roughly as 'autumn leaves on water'. The light grey background contrasted with light or dark brown 'leaves' is well expressed in the picture of the Koi below - one of the finest examples of our take on Ochiba. 

Ochiba should demonstrate good netting - the black leading edge of the scales as this Koi so admirably shows off. As with all Koi the colours should be even and consistent throughout.

Ochiba can change, and sometimes dramatically. One of our favourite Koi of all time landed and promptly lost all it's 'leaves' in quarantine. It was subsequently a very good Soragoi. During the next summer the Koi darkened and became a light brown, hence a Chagoi. It was growing seriously and over winter the brown broke up into a leaf pattern once again with the grey background replacing the brown. It was a remarkable transformation that we have never seen ever again quite so dramatically on a Koi.

Ochiba, owing to their Chagoi bloodlines tend to become large. Some of the largest Koi are in fact Ochiba Shigure and it is not uncommon for these Koi to rival their Chagoi brethren for the biggest fish at a Koi show.

Ochiba are also typically friendly Koi. The doitsu variant of the variety doesn't grow as big and tends to have pudgy bellies but a good specimen of a doitsu Ochiba is spectacular and can command high prices owing to it's rarity.