Tancho

Tancho describes koi with a single red marking on the head, most famously Tancho Kohaku, a white fish with one round red spot. The term can also apply to Tancho Sanke or Tancho Showa when the head mark is paired with black pattern elsewhere. The appeal depends on restraint: the red mark should be clean, centered enough to look intentional, and separate from other red markings on the body. A Tancho with extra body hi usually belongs in another variety description.

Owners selecting Tancho should study the edge, placement, and stability of the head spot, because a mark that is weak or uneven may shrink or break with age. Body quality and white skin still matter; a neat spot cannot compensate for poor conformation or dull shiroji. Pond care is the same as for other koi, though sunburn, injuries, or rough handling around the head can be especially noticeable. Breeders do not get reliable Tancho from every pairing, so honest classification is important when selling young fish.

Colors: Asagi, Bekko, Black, Black with Red Spot on Head and White Patterns (Tancho Showa), Blue, Brown, Chagoi, Cream, Doitsu, Ginrin, Gold, Goshiki, Gray, Karashigoi, Kohaku, Koromo, Kujaku, Metallic, Ogon, Orange, Red, Sanke, Showa, Shusui, Silver, Soragoi, Tancho, Utsuri, White, White with Red Spot on Head and Black Patterns (Tancho Sanke), White with Single Red Spot on Head (Tancho Kohaku), Yellow