Koi breeding: Basic features of a good quality breed

Koi is a Japanese word for carp. The attractive fish is considered as a symbol of love and friendship in Japan. But he word "koi" is really short for Japanese word "nishikigoi", which means "living jewels" if translated in English. Japan is the pioneer in koi breeding, which its ancestors started for more than a century ago. Expensive breeds, such as kohaku, sanke and showa (collectively known as "gosanke"), could grow as long as 80 centimeters and fetch around Php300,000 to Php500,000 (roughly US$6,667 to US$11,111). But aside from that, there are still a lot of varieties to choose from, like aigomoro, shusui, kikusui, tancho, komonryu, kikokuryu, kin kikokuryu, kin showa, gin shiro, kujyaku, yamabuki ogon, platinum ogon, among others, which are less expensive and affordable. The cheapest variety could be bought for as low as Php200 each (US$4.44). According to some hobbyists, a good quality of koi can be viewed on the fish's body structure and color blends. The shiro (whiteness) should be brilliant; the hi (redness) must be crimson red; the sumi (blackness) must be very black; and the kiwa, or the sharpness of the edges of the koi's pattern, must be very clear.