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y Ellen KloubecKloubec Koi FarmThe Kujaku is a koi variety that has evolved from thecombination of Shusui with Kin Matsuba andHariwake to become one of the most popular koi inthe Hikari Moyo class. Hikari Moyo you ask? Hikari Moyo isa ‘show class’ of koi. But for the typical koi enthusiast any fishin this group is sure to please. It’s the shine, or luster, or sheenas you’ll hear it described.Hikari describes the metallic skin, and Moyo means ‘ofmore than one color.’However, modern Kujaku rarely display the black, brown,white, red and yellow of their ancestors. A current day Kujakuis basically a Gin Matsuba that has a Kohaku pattern, if thatmakes sense to you.Oh,...so Kujaku is the 5 colored koi, or peacock koi thateveryone is searching for. Yes, it is, although Goshiki is also akoi, which also sports 5 colors. Confused yet? Look for theluster, or sheen. If it doesn’t have a thick metallic Platinumbase, it’s not a Kujaku.In other words, Kujaku is a metallic platinum based koithat has black Matsuba (pinecone) scales, andorangey-red markings like a Kohaku. GoodKujaku usually showcase large platinumpectoral fins that are a superb accent toeverything else the fish has going on.The solid platinum fins are a calmretreat from the very busy darkscalation and hi [red] pattern. A cleanwhite head or face pattern is ideal.The fish should have good metallicluster, evenly colored pineconescales, a clean clear head and apleasing pattern. Five or six rowsof scales with dark coloredcenters is acceptable.With so much goingon, a Kujaku is sometimesmistaken for a Kin Showa, butKujaku do not have large blackpatches like a Kin Showa.As if our heads were not alreadyspinning, Kujaku also comes in aDoitsu variation. On a Doitsu Kujaku18 POND Trade Magazine pondtrademag.com