Today there are about 80 varieties of koi in the market. They differ from each other by their scale designs. Koi or Nishikigoi as they are known in Japan are called "living jewel". Nishikigoi are believed to signify love, friendship, courage and perseverance in the Japanese culture. While among Chinese, koi are considered lucky charms.

The following are some of the varieties of Koi fish:

• Kohaku - has a red design on white background.
• Taisho Sanshoku - has a white covering with red and black design.
• Showa Sanshoku - is a koi with italicized Sumi pattern on black covering.
• Utsuri mono - is a black-skinned koi with white, yellow and red pattern.
• Bekko - is a red-skinned, white-skinned and yellow-skinned with a black design.
• Asagi - has a light blue covering with a black cross design like a net.
• Shusui - is a red-skinned koi with a white forehead.
• Koromo - has a zigzag red design on white background.
• Goshiki - is a light blue-skinned koi with red pattern.
• Hikari-Moyo - is a variety that has a solid tiny color as platinum.
• Hikari-Utsuri - denotes variety that has white-skinned or red-skinned with red and black pattern.
• Tancho - is a koi with a solid white skin and a red design on the forehead.
• Kin Ginrin - white-skinned with red or black and red pattern.
• Doitsu - is a koi without scales.
• Kawari mono - has plain green brown color. Others have brown and gray design.