Since there are countless numbers of possible "variations" found in koi, I will only outline the 14 Major Koi classifications found at Koi Shows. Here they are: (Scroll down for brief descriptions)
1. Kohaku - red patterns on a white ground
2. Taisho (Sanke) - red & black patterns on a white ground
3. Showa - red & white on a black ground
4. Utsurimono - White (shiro) or Aka (red) on a black ground
5. Hikarimuji - Metallic koi w/ 1 solid color
6. Shusui - Blue koi w/ red & white patterns
7. Asagi - Blue koi w/ reticulated, "net-like" pattern
8. Bekko - Black (sumi) markings on a white (shiro) or red (aka) ground
9. Koromo - Koi w/ either bluish or black borders on the red scales.
10. Hikari-moyo - Metallic koi w/ other metallic color patterns
11. Tancho - Any koi w/ red circle (Symbolizing Japanese flag) on it's head.
12. Kinginrin - Any koi w/ silver-lustered scales
13. Goshiki - "5-colored" koi.
14. Kawarimono - "Catch-all" group; All koi not distinctly categorized
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