Japanese Koi Fish

Good quality Hi is not defined in terms of the shade of red that is represented. Very often bright red, almost a scarlet can be vastly inferior to a better quality orange hi - as with sumi it is the lustre, the thickness and the consistency of the hi that is desired over the actual colour.

Hi develops as a result of carotene pigment in the Koi. When the water quality of a pond is good and the Koi is in good health, the carotene reflects in the fish. Should the fish's health be compromised it is often transpires that the carotene is absorbed by the fish, resulting in a loss of red (hi) colour.

Hi is also the least predictable colour. It is the least stable and is often lost before sumi. The quality of the bloodline of the Koi is thus vitally important in establishing whether a Koi has the genetic makeup for a stable Hi or not. A poor quality Koi, no matter how healthy, might just decide one day to lose it's hi. Again, just like sumi, nothing is guaranteed and even the best Koi from the best breeders might succumb to a partial or total hi loss.

Very young tosai Koi very seldom have bright or deep hi pigments. Without knowing the genetics of the fish selecting these at a young age in the hopes of obtaining a good, stable hi pattern later on in life is at best, well, risky! Or challenging - depending on your outlook and what you want from the hobby!