Quality Koi

What to look for—and why it matters where your koi come from.

Not all koi are created equal. If you’ve ever bought fish that looked great in the store but faded, grew unevenly, or developed health issues soon after—you already know how important quality is.

At Robert’s Koi Farm, quality starts with authentic Japanese bloodlines and ends with healthy, reliable fish raised the right way.

What to Look For in a Quality Koi

Whether you’re buying your first koi or adding to a show pond, there are a few fundamentals that never change:

• Strong, balanced body shape
  Thick, symmetrical, and proportional—no deformities or sunken bellies.

• Clean, sharp color (hi, sumi, shiroji)
  Bright whites, deep reds, solid blacks—look for crisp edges and even patterns.

• Good skin quality
  A slight sheen, not dull or flaky. Healthy skin reflects healthy water and feeding.

• Steady movement, alert behavior
  A quality koi is confident but calm—not darting, clamped, or isolating.

And of course, you want to know where the koi came from and how it was raised.

Sought-After Varieties

Some koi varieties are especially prized for their color, contrast, and legacy. At Robert’s Koi Farm, we focus on high-quality strains from top Japanese lines, including:

• Kohaku – White body with deep red pattern. Simple, classic, and one of the most respected koi.

• Sanke (Taisho Sanke) – Like Kohaku, but with the addition of black (sumi) markings. Clean and elegant.

• Showa – Black base with red and white overlays. A more dramatic, dynamic koi when well patterned.

• Shiro Utsuri – A black koi with bold white markings. High contrast and striking when the white is bright and clean.

• Goshiki – Meaning “five colors,” Goshiki typically have a white base with black, red, blue, and grey patterns overlaid. Rich and complex, they often deepen in color with age.

• Tancho – A solid white koi with a single red circle on the head. Highly symbolic in Japan, especially when the mark is centered and perfectly round.

• Doitsu – These koi have little to no scales and a smooth, mirror-like body. They come in many color varieties, but the clean scale pattern down the dorsal line makes them stand out.

• Yamabuki Ogon – A solid, bright yellow metallic koi known for its clean body, reflective scales, and bold presence. Yamabuki are one of the most popular Hikari Muji (single-color metallic) varieties and stand out beautifully in any pond, especially when viewed from above in natural light.

• Chagoi – Often overlooked for their simple, earthy brown or olive coloring, Chagoi are among the friendliest and fastest-growing koi. Known for their calm temperament, they’re often the first to hand-feed and can help make your entire pond of koi more social.

If you can find the what’s wrong with this photo email info@robertskoifarm.ca for prize.

Why Robert’s Koi Are Different

Robert doesn’t buy koi in bulk or flip fish from unknown sources. He personally imports koi from a top breeder in Niigata, Japan, known for consistency, health, and lineage.

Once in Canada, the koi are raised in natural clay-bottom mud ponds at his farm in Fort Langley, BC. That environment brings out their color, helps develop body, and supports long-term health. Every fish is quarantined, screened under a microscope, and only listed for sale when it’s strong and ready.

We don’t rush the process. We invest in it.

Our Formula: Water Quality + Nutrition = Healthy Koi

This simple equation drives everything we do. Clean water, proper feeding, and careful handling give koi the foundation they need to thrive—for years, not just weeks.

If you’re looking for koi you can count on, start with someone who knows what to look for—and what it takes to raise them right.