Kawarimono or Kawarigoi as they are sometimes called is a catchall class for all of the other koi that do not fit into one of the other classes. The list is huge but here are some of the favorites.

Karasugoi or crow carp family that are black with various white markings on the body and fins. Depending on how much white you have Hajiro (black with white only on the tail and pectoral fin tips), Hageshiro (black with white on tail and pectoral fin tips and on the head), Yotsushiro (Hageshiro with all white head), Kumonryu (Doitsu koi with killer whale pattern) and Matsukawabake (koi that changes from black to gray depending on water temperature forming a net black pattern).

There is a new variety that has been put into Kawarimono and is metallic. The Kikokuryu, is a metallic Kumonryu and is a result of crossing a Kumonryu with a Kikusui. It may someday be moved to the Hikari Moyo class since Kawarimono is for non-metallic koi that don't fit into any of the other classes.

Goshiki, meaning 5 colors, are white with a red Kohaku pattern and two shades of blue and black netting not only on the red but also on the white. Cool water makes the colors darken. It is important for Goshiki to have a clean red and white head with no sumi markings.

Chagoi are brown/green tea colored carp. These koi grow fast and very large and become the favorite in the pond by their friendliness. Also in solid colors are the Kigoi (yellow koi), Soragoi (gray blue koi), Midorigoi (green koi), Benigoi (red koi), Aka Hijiro ( red koi with white fin tips) and Shiro Muji (white koi).

My favorite is a cross between Chagoi and Kohaku or Asagi called Ochiba Shigure. This koi reminds people of autumn leaves on water because the hi shows up as a bright orange/gold pattern on a blue/gray body with black netting over the whole body. The Doitsu version of Ochiba Shigure has been called “antique” due to the colors.

The Kanoko group: Kanoko means “fawn” describing a dappled Kohaku red pattern that looks like cherry blossoms. This group includes Kanoko Kohaku, Kanoko Sanke and Kanoko Showa.

Kage (shadow) group. They include Kage Shiro Utsuri, Kage Hi Utsuri, and Kage Showa.

Non-metallic Matsuba are also in this class. Aka (red) Matsuba, Ki Matsuba and Shiro Matsuba. There are also Doitsu versions of all of the above.