Koromo Koi of Palo Alto: Koromo, Asagi, and Showa Koi

Koromo koi are the perfect koi for your ornamental pond. With a gentle disposition, Koromo koi are hardy and long-lived. A book from the Western Jin Dynasty (4th century) mentions carp with various colors. Formal koi breeding generally began during the 19th century in Japan. Farmers noticed some carp were more brightly colored than others, so they captured and raised them. By the 20th century, a number of color patterns had been established, most notably the red-and-white Koromo. Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, patterning, and scalation. Koromo (which means "clothed" or "robed") were developed by interbreeding of Kohaku and Asagi koi. At Koi-Planet, we continue the tradition of pure-bred koi. Our koromo koi are hand-fed and raised in ponds with spring water.

The 12 Types of Koi

The 12 koi breeds certified by the World Koi Association: Siro-mudzi (White.) Tante-Kohaku (White with red markings on the head.) Kohaku (White with red markings.) Siro-bekko (White with black markings on the back.) Ki-utsuri (Black with yellow, red, or white markings.) Hariwake (Silver with golden markings.) Sanke (White with black and red markings.) Showa (Black with white and red markings.) Hadsiro (Black.) Ogon (Golden.) Asagi (Blue scale back with red along the sides.) Susuj (Blue back with red along the sides.)

Ask Dr. Koi Eurydice Katzenjammer, our Koi doctor, received the 1917 Nobel Prize in Koi Medicine. If you have a question, read Dr. Koi's FAQs. For example, how to cure fungus in koi.

Updates & Info May 1: Koi-Planet.com in The New York Times April 7: New koromo and asagi koi available. March 17: We counted over 135 koi in our pond.

Koi in the News Sharon Stone, Koi Breeder: Read about Sharon Stone's 3,000 acre koi ranch in Colorado.