Because it bears repeating----

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF NISHIKIGOI

As we have discussed on several occasions now, there are some basic fundamental lessons that every student of koi appreciation should understand before trying to understand the details of koi.

We can begin this discussion by talking about the fundamental genes (mutation genes) that are at the heart of all varieties of koi.

Historical data 1 - The nishikigoi is a creation of the Japanese people of western Japan. Niigata is considered the homeland of nishikigoi.

Historical data 2- All Nishikigoi are common carp and have derived from different strains of common carp, including wild carp, feral carp and domestic carp imported from surrounding countries originally and isolated for centuries in the waters of Japan. Over time, even strains of European bred common carp were introduced into lines of Japanese carp and nishikigoi.

Principle 1- all nishikigoi arise from four basic foundation strains of common carp or 'goi'.

Principle 2- all nishikigoi arise from one of two BASE color mutations. White or black. Not directly, but fundamentally, once two special gene mutations appeared.

Principle 3- all nishikigoi's varied colors arise from variations of four color mutations. It is important to understand that the seemly unlimited number of colors were not bred directly from these four color mutations but rather -- four color mutations exist within the nishikigoi's gene pool. Some of these colors are mutations (such as red and yellow) and dilutions (such as blue) and combinations (such as orange) of the basic colors of black and white. And others are due to the intensifying of the basic white and black color (Leucism or 'all white, no color' and hypermelanism or ' black on black’).

Principle 4 - All nishikigoi patterns (pattern orientation) arise for four basic patterns.
Solid, wrapped, dorsal and lateral.

James Reilly ZNA NA District Chairman