The body shape of all Koi is vital to its overall impression. Clearly, the actual shape of a Koi develops as it grows, and that gives us a problem in defining what is, and is not, a good body shape as it of course changes at different stages of a Koi’s life.
In this context a picture really does speak a thousand words, so here are some examples of what’s good, and what’s not so good.
While this is very interesting and indeed important, we have some perhaps more important information for you in this regard. While the physical body shape of the Koi changes and develops, the basic structure only grows. Any and all imperfections or flaws in the actual structure are therefore much more important. To illustrate this point, when Koi are shipped from Japan to the UK they are starved of food, this is to prevent contamination of shipping water, and not only sensible but general practise in the industry. Exposed to this, Koi can and often do quickly lose body weight and volume, this can often result in them looking thin and often very thin. When feeding resumes this body volume soon returns. However if a Koi has a poor fundamental structure no amount of any food is going to redress that, and thats why its important to understand the difference between the physical body shape of a Koi which is not fixed, and the actual structure of the Koi which is.
Like all living creatures, there is no such thing as a perfect Koi, it doesn’t exist. It is important however to be aware that the very nature of Koi renders them susceptible to structural anomalies, the polite term for deformities! It’s vital you can look for and identify these anomalies. While it’s often difficult to spot these, especially in young Koi, it’s vital you do because as the Koi grows and develops even minor deformities become exaggerated, and much more obvious.
The structure and shape of female and male Koi are fundamentally different.
While body shape sounds like a single element its actually a collective one. A conclusion, a destination and a very important one thats contributed too by a range of equally important elements that combine to deliver – body shape. Understanding this is an important step in understanding Koi, and investing the effort to truly understand, will pay you significant dividends along your Koi keeping journey, and might even save you a few quid in the process!
Structure
While some of the elements we will discuss are good to have, important and good to have, there are some that are prerequisites and a sound structure is one. To be absolutely clear when we talk about structure we mean all elements that contribute to a Koi’ s structure from the macro big issue items, like skeletal integrity to micro details like the correct number and shaped barbels!
The main power source of Koi are their tails, so as we’ll hear later the tail of a Koi is important, but structurally its also important that the power source is proportionate to the rest of their bodies, otherwise when the Koi swims the swimming action is clumsy or erratic. Koi with sound structures swim gracefully so if they’re not swimming gracefully its highly likely that there is a structural anomalies of some kind. Your challenge is to find it! The challenge is exacerbated however by the fact that tiny irregularities can have a massive impact.
Its very important for you to learn to tune into these reciprocal reference points, and they can, and often are subtle. If you have ever looked at a Koi and thought there was something just not quite right but you couldn’t put your finger on it? Thats what were referring to.
By starting with the basics and working the length of the Koi, first from back to front, then front to back looking closely for any deviations in body line, you will eventually either find the anomalies or conclude the Koi is sound.
The problem however and part of the fascination with Koi, is that the process of structural development is dynamic and ongoing. Its also genetic and any construction problems are permanent, and they’re only likely to get worse as the Koi grows. Thats why its so important to work on your ability to examine the structure of Koi.
Body Line
By taking you through the individual contributory elements we hope to clarify this process for you. We’ll start with perhaps the most important – Body Line. Its important that if you have any 3D glasses you wear them for this one! Seriously, we want you to try and look at a single section; top, bottom or either side, and then extend the section you’re looking at three dimensionally in your mind. Before you go WHAAT! Please bear with us. This exercise is designed to help you determine the soundness, or otherwise of the structure of the Koi. This, combined with the other individual elements were going to discuss will, together, establish the overall integrity of any Koi’s body shape.
Stomach
When we talk about a the stomach of a Koi were discussing the entire region of the Koi from the base of the tail to the underside of the gills. Its also important to appreciate the basic structure of male and female Koi is different so applying female characteristics to male Koi, and vice versa, will unsurprisingly deliver false results. If you take the time to actually study the undercarriage of Koi for any period the fundamental differences quickly become obvious. Perhaps the main difference is that male Koi have lateral flat stomach profiles, whereas female Koi have much fuller curved stomach profiles, that gently and proportionately convex over the entire under length of the Koi.
Whether the profile is flat or curved, the most important aspect to both is that the profile is required to be sound, complete and single profile. Any profile deviations impact negatively on the overall impression and quality of the Koi, and range from small anomalies which are undesirable, to more significant ones which can be catastrophic. Stomach anomalies can range from a mild
Pigeon chest, to distension and concave regions and non of them are good news, and likely to impact increasingly negatively as the Koi grows. In extreme examples they can also be indications of serious health issues from tumours to egg impaction.
Back
The back of all our Koi is incredibly important. The structure again varies with gender, although the primary difference is that female Koi have wider broader and more imposing back structures. In addition the dissension angle is shallower in male Koi, another reason female Koi are fundamentally more imposing than male Koi.
Crucially the back is required to be sound and proportionate, not just in terms of its lateral structure and extent, but also in its physical dimension. Because this also varies from breeder to breeder, and even variety to variety, and these variations also change at different stages of the Koi’s development, paying close attention to this element is especially important. Again proportionality and soundness translates into a Koi that swims soundly and appears balanced, not just when its swimming, but when it sits in the water. Koi with unbalanced backs often have trouble maintaining a stable lateral position in the water, when static. Noticing this detail is important and will at the very least help you make better buying decisions.
Heads & Tails
The extremities of all Koi are the fixing points that bring the other elements together. Heads and tails that are either too big or too small are incredibly common, and although more prevalent in Showa and Shiro Utsuri they’re by no means restricted to these varieties, with Kin Showa, Hi Utsuri, Shusui, Asagi, and all Kawarigoi being especially prone to this serious structural issue.
Size 3 Koi with size 2 heads.
Shiro Utsuri with tails that are just too big might be called genetic anomalies by breeders, but we call them deformities, which is what they really are. This is an especially disappointing problem because its so common in otherwise amazing Koi. We also need to be honest in that the reality is that if the Koi in question didn’t have a big or small head, or a tail, the reality is it probably wouldn’t be affordable in the first place, and sometimes its a small price to pay. Our issue is that we want you to know about it to enable you to make an informed decision, and not end up with a Koi with this issue by default!
The impact of head or tail anomalies on a Koi, is that it detracts from its imposingness often in a way thats not obvious. It also impacts on the balance of the Koi which often manifests in the Koi’s ability to swim gracefully, and maintain balance simply because the structural imbalance renders it prone to naturally tipping, either forward or backward.
Fins
In this section everything’s important and fins are no exception. While the primary role of our Koi’s finnage is propulsion and directional navigation, fins are incredibly impactful aesthetically. The importance of pectoral fins to all Koi can be over emphasised. The requirements on the finnage of Koi is also exacting. We not only require them to look good in terms of any pigmentation, for example motoguro in Showa and Shiro Utsuri, is vitally important, but the base colour is required to be consistent and pleasing. As if that weren’t enough, even more important we require them to be functionally and physically sound. Given the fragility of the structure and the amount of wear and tear they’re subjected to, the fins of our Koi do incredibly well not to be permanently shredded!
Formative baby and young Koi kept in overcrowded conditions, also often endure fin curling and even malformed development, with one selective fin overdeveloping, and others under developing. This is not reversible so its important that you look out for and avoid Koi displaying such fin issues.
While tails, dorsal and pectoral fins are the headline acts, we also need to pay attention to the anal, and pelvic fins. Not only are they at increased risk of not being present, their undercarriage location and prominence renders them especially prone to damage, especially at the fin base/knuckle. If a viewing window isn’t available when considering a purchase, insist the Koi is put into a vinyl bag, for your inspection. Most Koi professionals will do this as a matter of course, but either way – always check the underside of any prospective purchase!
Deportment
Refers to the way the Koi holds itself in the water and swims. By definition this is incredibly important to the overall impression and imposingness of any Koi. Deportment is not just a required individual Koi attribute, its a destination, a result, a consequence of all the previous factors we’ve discussed in this section. There are always reasons for a Koi’s deportment both good and bad. While we listed this last, its actually a good starting point too. Paying close attention to the way a Koi swims and carries itself in the water, gives you an instant heads up summary of all the individual elements we’ve discussed.
All great Koi have great deportment. It defines a Koi both positively and negatively, thats why its important you take notice and train yourself to examine deportment as a natural part of your viewing process. Not just your Koi, but all Koi you come across. The more you look and pay attention the better you will understand its importance, and the better you’ll become at analysing it.
