Figuring out which koi variety you have can confound even the most experienced of keepers. We're talking about fish that come in such an incredible rainbow of colors and patterns, that you can be left scratching your head guessing at what type of koi you are staring at. Is it a Sanke? But wait, it could be a Showa? Hmmm....

For starters, its essentially agreed upon that there are 13 variety of koi, but each variety can have many types that are typically relating to a specific pattern or color set. Click here for a detailed list and photos to help with koi identification.

Next comes the problem of how to pronounce these names and other teminology involving koi. Is it hi (meaning: red) pronounced like hi (hello) or hee (hee haw)? The words are japanese, and you certainly don't want to sound like a fool when you're talking to your breeder or another koi enthusiast. Here's a handy list of common koi related terms and how to pronounce them.